Adrian Dancy
D20A7410 Sanderling (calidris alba)
Sanderling
15.21.23.10.2025
I’ve always enjoyed photographing sanderlings...they’re my favourite shorebird. For the past 15 years, however, I’ve longed to see and photograph purple sandpipers. On several occasions, I travelled long distances hoping for close views, only to be told “they’ve gone” or “they’re over there”...usually meaning 100 yards away and completely inaccessible.
Earlier this year, I finally had the chance to photograph purple sandpipers on the west coast. Unfortunately, I was dealing with a secondary cataract and other complications in my eye, which made it difficult to see clearly. Thank goodness for modern autofocus cameras! I managed a few shots of the sandpipers at their evening roost. They weren’t quite the images I had envisioned, but I was happy with what I got.
That said, I wouldn’t have gone home disappointed either way...I had an absolute blast with the sanderlings. The image I’m sharing here might be a bit pedestrian, but I like it, and perfectly content to show it.
D20A7410 Sanderling (calidris alba)
Sanderling
15.21.23.10.2025
I’ve always enjoyed photographing sanderlings...they’re my favourite shorebird. For the past 15 years, however, I’ve longed to see and photograph purple sandpipers. On several occasions, I travelled long distances hoping for close views, only to be told “they’ve gone” or “they’re over there”...usually meaning 100 yards away and completely inaccessible.
Earlier this year, I finally had the chance to photograph purple sandpipers on the west coast. Unfortunately, I was dealing with a secondary cataract and other complications in my eye, which made it difficult to see clearly. Thank goodness for modern autofocus cameras! I managed a few shots of the sandpipers at their evening roost. They weren’t quite the images I had envisioned, but I was happy with what I got.
That said, I wouldn’t have gone home disappointed either way...I had an absolute blast with the sanderlings. The image I’m sharing here might be a bit pedestrian, but I like it, and perfectly content to show it.