The bay is very shallow and covered with saltmarsh plants which gradually go underwater as the tide comes in. The birds retreat from the tide until they are roosting up against the higher vegetation.
Saltmarsh plants are low growing and small shorebirds - such as these Lesser Sand Plovers - can be very hard to see amongst the plants. Several of these birds are beginning to show breeding colors. They get a dark red color down their front and around the neck.
Some of the birds continue to hunt around for food while the water comes around the plants. The birds and the plants make perfect reflections in the still water. These are also Lesser Sand Plovers not yet showing breeding colors.
These Red-necked Stint were perfectly posed around the small plants.
This post is for World Bird Wednesday.
A lovely set of reflections.
ReplyDeleteThanks John, and since then we've had rain and high winds! I guess I can be thankful for one good day kayaking at least.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mick. Looks like you've got a piece of paradise there, for plants, birds and fish. a great place to explore with a kayak.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a great place to be.
ReplyDeleteWonderful spot to explore and enjoy the wildlife--really enjoyed the photos!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely images of a beautiful looking place. Nice to be able meander about in a kayack
ReplyDeleteI never seen that shape of a kajak before. It looks steady enough for carrying cameras. And watching birds. I wish I had wetlands like that around here. I would love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I especially like that bottom reflection -- and thanks for a dialup friendly blog.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a gorgeous place to kayak and bird. Love the cute Lesser Sand Plovers. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteNice set of pictures - keep an eye out for stints with orange leg flags!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M
Hiya Mick,
ReplyDeleteAre plovers the same bird as peewits?
BTW, do any Australian birds migrate, and if so, where to? Not to Europe I would have thought.
What a great birding location! Beautiful photos and interesting post!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a wonderful place to go paddling! Nice find with the shorebirds too.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick
ReplyDeleteGood shot of the Canoe. I assume you had got out and waded ashore to take the other shots.
Not familiar with your Lesser Sand Plovers. Obviously preparing to depart.
On that point, I can assure JoCo that many of our waders do migrate, but they go north to Asia and even Alaska (circling the Pacific).
Stewart M knows far more about that than I do - he's a Bird Bander.
Cheers
Denis
That is one heck of a kayak! I don't thimk I've ever seen a bow designed in quite that way. I wonder, what is it's function? Thanks for a splendid tour of the sandy straits through your great photographs!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for commenting.
ReplyDeleteThe water was only inches deep around the kayak but the reflections were so good you can't tell that.
I think I should do a post asap about the flyway where the migratory shorebirds travel.
Hi everyone again - to answer a couple of questions about my kayak - the makers - Viking - list it as both a kayak and an ocean ski - so it can be used in the surf. I like both its length and speed and still find that it is plenty stable enough for me to sit in it and use my camera.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to explore!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Mick! I looked at the swans in the post below too -- you really live in Paradise. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete