A Patient and Solitary Sandpiper

This is my first-ever photo of a sandpiper--of any stripe. So, you can image how thrilled I was to stumble over this Solitary Sandpiper (and I do mean "stumble" as I was walking in Marsh Creek). The bird was so distant I couldn't make out what it might be, even with binoculars. By its stance and location (on a rock mid-creek), I wondered if it might be one of the shorter sandpipers, but I hadn't a clue. Yet this was one super "chill" bird as he/she stood in the same place despite my slow but constant advance.

Eventually, I got close enough to capture this image that distinctly shows greenish-yellow legs and a white eye ring. Those two characteristics alone were enough to identify this sandpiper as a Solitary. And true to his or her name (the bird appears to me to be a juvenile), this sandpiper stood alone. Not only alone but also inactive, as if she were simply posing for me!

 

As I always do, I checked the web site of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (pabirds.org) to get some information on its status in Pennsylvania, including (but not limited to) the following:

 

Abundance: Uncommon (in Pennsylvania)

Occurrence: Regular (Though not prevalent, the Solitary Sandpiper is regularly seen in any given year)

Seasonal Status: Migrant (This bird doesn't breed here but passes through on its migratory trips.)

 

All in all, I'd say I was quite lucky with this chance sighting of a Solitary Sandpiper, in this case, a patient and tolerant bird to pose for me for so long. 

If you love birds or have children (8 to 11) who love them, you might like my trilogy 

Of the Wing.  Learn more about it at . . .

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