Semipalmated Sandpiper
A real surprise (and lifer!) for me this morning. This tiny sandpiper was foraging along the edge of Lost Lagoon. Seen beside the Mallards sleeping along the shore, it was shockingly small.
I'm a novice when it comes to shorebirds. The only sandpiper I can readily identify is a Spotted Sandpiper, and I knew right away this wasn't one. Once I got home and inspected the photos, comparing them to images and descriptions in my guidebooks, I came to the conclusion that this is a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Looking closely again at this photo, I found conclusive proof of my ID -- semipalmated means they have partially webbed feet. If you look at the back foot, you'll see the webbing.
Semipalmated Sandpiper
A real surprise (and lifer!) for me this morning. This tiny sandpiper was foraging along the edge of Lost Lagoon. Seen beside the Mallards sleeping along the shore, it was shockingly small.
I'm a novice when it comes to shorebirds. The only sandpiper I can readily identify is a Spotted Sandpiper, and I knew right away this wasn't one. Once I got home and inspected the photos, comparing them to images and descriptions in my guidebooks, I came to the conclusion that this is a juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Looking closely again at this photo, I found conclusive proof of my ID -- semipalmated means they have partially webbed feet. If you look at the back foot, you'll see the webbing.