Sullivan Co. Shorebird Shots

I usually like to get my posts out in timely fashion, but I’ve had some problems with my computer and then when I sorted it out, it just took ages to get through all my photos and edit them. So, this post is from Sunday evening.

Sunday afternoon I was home for the day, done birding, relaxing. Then I read a post by Bashakill Birder and birding bud John Haas. He kayaked at Morningside Park, as he does most days this time of the year; he’d had a number of good birds there recently and they all were continuing. What got my attention was his excellent photo of a fabulous-looking American Golden-Plover.

~The American Golden-Plover did not disappoint. What a bird! Morningside Park on 08/30/20.~

With that, I got up off the sofa and loaded the kayak onto my car! What followed was a gorgeous night of paddling around the islands at Morningside Park with some very accommodating shorebirds. I’ve written about it before, but it is an incredible experience; it’s as if they don’t even know you are there. At one point, I had “docked” my kayak against one of the islands and I was just relaxing and watching some Least Sandpipers. They worked their way around island, towards me until they were close enough that I could reach out and touch them if I wanted! I sat motionless and just enjoyed their company. What a great evening, I have to thank John for his inspiration, it certainly beats sitting on the sofa watching the tube.

~On the prowl. AMGP at Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~
~A Spotted Sandpiper in the wind, right as the sun was setting. Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~
~AMGP at Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~
~What a cutie. Least Sandpiper at Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~
~This bird fooled me. It was tucked into the wood and looked so comfortable that I just kept my distance and cruised by, taking a few shots. When I got home and looked at the pics, I realized that this was the BAIRD’S SANDPIPER. Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~
~I like this shot. Solitary Sandpiper looking, well, solitary. Morningside Park 08/30/20.~
~AMGP reflecting on things. Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~
~I wanted to include one shot that showed how beautiful this bird was from the back. American Golden-Plover at Morningside Park, 08/30/20.~

4 thoughts on “Sullivan Co. Shorebird Shots”

  1. matt – your photos are always excellent – but this group of photos are really stunning. amazing detail and lighting. they teach me more than most guides. thanks and bravo.

    1. Jeff, I always seem to learn more from photos of local birds – birds that folks in our area have actually seen. I’m not sure why that is, maybe we just look at them more carefully or longer because we know they are local. I’m not sure. Anyways, glad you enjoyed them. I should mention that I have been trying to follow up on Carson, but I haven’t been able to connect with Giselle yet. Once I hear something I will post it. Matt

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