ML254637321

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Continuing bird from yesterday. I was enjoying catching up with Marshall Iliff as we scanned groups of shore birds coming in to roost onto the ocean side of the spit when I saw the Curlew Sandpiper fly in from the vast flooding mud flats as high tide was nearing. A stunning, lanky legged bird retaining almost all of its breeding plumage. There was a small bit of basic white plumage feathering showing high on its chest, just below the throat. Slightly larger than a Dunlin with a gorgeous extensive dark rust colored breast that continued down to its legs, contrasting sharply with the bordering white undertail coverts. Large, tapered drooping bill. Patchy white partial supercillium. Beautiful patchwork of buffy, brown, and black feathering on its back. White rump patch visible in flight several times, as large groups of shore birds took flight to re-roost on higher rocks due to the rising tide. Legs were black and the bird had thin white eye rings. When I left the bird was peacefully sleeping on its belly between some rocks while roosting with hundreds of shore birds.

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX B700

ISO

100

Focal length

258 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.5

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

2816 pixels x 2112 pixels

Original file size

2.43 MB