Beach Yoga
Sanderlings are small energetic wading birds. They seem to be in perpetual motion, always running along the beach after a receding wave to pick up stranded invertebrates or to probe for prey hidden in the wet sand.
Not surprising then that after a busy morning feeding they like nothing better than a spot of beach yoga!
Apparently, the classic stretching of one leg and one wing on the same side of the body resembles something from yoga called 'mantling', which, come to think of it, is also the term used to describe a bird of prey spreading its wings over a recent kill.
Anyway, after a quick search I have not been able to find out specifically why Sanderlings attend these beach yoga classes, although it seems clear that spread-wing postures help wing feathers to dry and also help to realign feathers forcing parasites into motion which of courses eases their removal. In some birds they can also help regulate body temperature and, presumably like any good yoga class, can also help to release tension and restore a feel good factor.
Spending an hour or two at the beach photographing these beauties is all the yoga I need .... although I must admit my back still hurts when I try to pick myself up off the floor!
Taken at North Beach, Fort De Soto, Florida back in 2016.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
Beach Yoga
Sanderlings are small energetic wading birds. They seem to be in perpetual motion, always running along the beach after a receding wave to pick up stranded invertebrates or to probe for prey hidden in the wet sand.
Not surprising then that after a busy morning feeding they like nothing better than a spot of beach yoga!
Apparently, the classic stretching of one leg and one wing on the same side of the body resembles something from yoga called 'mantling', which, come to think of it, is also the term used to describe a bird of prey spreading its wings over a recent kill.
Anyway, after a quick search I have not been able to find out specifically why Sanderlings attend these beach yoga classes, although it seems clear that spread-wing postures help wing feathers to dry and also help to realign feathers forcing parasites into motion which of courses eases their removal. In some birds they can also help regulate body temperature and, presumably like any good yoga class, can also help to release tension and restore a feel good factor.
Spending an hour or two at the beach photographing these beauties is all the yoga I need .... although I must admit my back still hurts when I try to pick myself up off the floor!
Taken at North Beach, Fort De Soto, Florida back in 2016.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.