IMG_9127 9 Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) responds to thunderclap, call to mate!
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) responds to thunderclap, call to mate, 8/12/2017, The Landing's Bartram Rd fresh water lagoon # 2, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Ga.
This past Saturday afternoon, I observed two Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) foraging along the shoreline of The Landing's, Bartram Rd. fresh water lagoon # 2. For the next 20 minutes I very slowly followed them in my golf cart rolling mobile blind.
The cart allows me to rest my camera lens on a bean bag atop the cart steering wheel. Birds seem to become more tolerant of my presence, as I respect their comfort zone, and diligently attempt to avoid flushing them.
I was pleased with photographic conditions as a line of afternoon thunderstorms drew near, bringing welcomed overcast skies to block out the harsh overhead sun.
The Sandpipers came to an area where Bald Cypress knees grow along the shoreline. One bird perched atop a Cypress knee, paid little attention to me as It preened. I pulled the cart closer, to a distance where I was almost able to realize a full frame exposure with my 400 mm birding lens. It continued to preen, I fired away.
I was zeroing in on the birds eye, getting great head turn angles with an occasional catch light within the eye. There was a distant lighting strike accompanied by a thunderous clap, the Sandpiper turned its head, looked skyward as I continued to shoot away. You could read fright within the birds eyes/actions. It looked toward the area where its mate had been, then began tweeting to establish a sound contact. Its mate answered and my photographic subject took flight. I was most taken with the photographic outing, a very rewarding experience indeed
I have attached seven images to share this event with you, check especially the three photos where the bird looks skyward. I hope you enjoy!
IMG_9127 9 Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) responds to thunderclap, call to mate!
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) responds to thunderclap, call to mate, 8/12/2017, The Landing's Bartram Rd fresh water lagoon # 2, Skidaway Island, Savannah, Ga.
This past Saturday afternoon, I observed two Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) foraging along the shoreline of The Landing's, Bartram Rd. fresh water lagoon # 2. For the next 20 minutes I very slowly followed them in my golf cart rolling mobile blind.
The cart allows me to rest my camera lens on a bean bag atop the cart steering wheel. Birds seem to become more tolerant of my presence, as I respect their comfort zone, and diligently attempt to avoid flushing them.
I was pleased with photographic conditions as a line of afternoon thunderstorms drew near, bringing welcomed overcast skies to block out the harsh overhead sun.
The Sandpipers came to an area where Bald Cypress knees grow along the shoreline. One bird perched atop a Cypress knee, paid little attention to me as It preened. I pulled the cart closer, to a distance where I was almost able to realize a full frame exposure with my 400 mm birding lens. It continued to preen, I fired away.
I was zeroing in on the birds eye, getting great head turn angles with an occasional catch light within the eye. There was a distant lighting strike accompanied by a thunderous clap, the Sandpiper turned its head, looked skyward as I continued to shoot away. You could read fright within the birds eyes/actions. It looked toward the area where its mate had been, then began tweeting to establish a sound contact. Its mate answered and my photographic subject took flight. I was most taken with the photographic outing, a very rewarding experience indeed
I have attached seven images to share this event with you, check especially the three photos where the bird looks skyward. I hope you enjoy!