Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thank you David. I'm very happy with the sandpiper shot. I wasn't sure of the exact ID on them. They looked like a Baird's sandpiper to me. Here's a close up of one. What do you think?
Harry, I think you're spot on with Baird's Sandpiper, only thing, my books don't show the distribution extending to Florida
hmmmmmmm...
Well, it's a tough question, I think. Shorebirds, esp. little Calidris are ALWAYS tough! :pissed
I still think it fits Western better than Baird's, though I confess that I have less experience observing Baird's. I am looking at the shape of the bill (Baird's should be a little straighter, though both spp. are quite similiar), the amount of buffy color in the scapulars, auricular patch and crown (Baird's should be plainer gray), and, particularly, the size and quality of the breast band (Baird's should be larger and more finely streaked). Western are also considerably more commonly observed on both coasts of North America; Baird's pretty much migrate straight up the Central flyway from their South American wintering grounds to high Arctic breeding areas (and I would expect that they would be pretty far north by this time of year). Where exactly did you shoot these birds?
Again, I'm really not confident with this ID, I'm not an expert with shorebirds, just interested in the discussion. Thanks for posting the CU, it's a lovely shot too.
Just reading a bit more in Hayman, Marchant and Prater Shorebirds: An Identification Guide. The first character they mention in the description of Baird's is that the bird is quite long winged, with the folded wings extending considerably beyond the tail tip. Your birds appear to have very little wing-tail projection. Also Baird's' bill is described as "remarkably fine-tipped" whereas Western bill is "slightly droop-tipped"; this is what I see in your birds.
Just reading a bit more in Hayman, Marchant and Prater Shorebirds: An Identification Guide. The first character they mention in the description of Baird's is that the bird is quite long winged, with the folded wings extending considerably beyond the tail tip. Your birds appear to have very little wing-tail projection. Also Baird's' bill is described as "remarkably fine-tipped" whereas Western bill is "slightly droop-tipped"; this is what I see in your birds.
Hey Dave,
Your book has a lot more info than Sibleys. I keep looking at the different sandpipers and their various colorings at different times and they are 3-4 that come close but none that look like a match to me. I'll go with your call.
Harry http://behret.smugmug.com/NANPA member How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
regards
alan
Bugs
Spiders
Flowers
Well, it's a tough question, I think. Shorebirds, esp. little Calidris are ALWAYS tough!
I still think it fits Western better than Baird's, though I confess that I have less experience observing Baird's. I am looking at the shape of the bill (Baird's should be a little straighter, though both spp. are quite similiar), the amount of buffy color in the scapulars, auricular patch and crown (Baird's should be plainer gray), and, particularly, the size and quality of the breast band (Baird's should be larger and more finely streaked). Western are also considerably more commonly observed on both coasts of North America; Baird's pretty much migrate straight up the Central flyway from their South American wintering grounds to high Arctic breeding areas (and I would expect that they would be pretty far north by this time of year). Where exactly did you shoot these birds?
Again, I'm really not confident with this ID, I'm not an expert with shorebirds, just interested in the discussion. Thanks for posting the CU, it's a lovely shot too.
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http://www.wandering-eye.com
"the days run away like wild horses over the hills"
Bukowski
Your book has a lot more info than Sibleys.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"