Beach Attack! Sanderlings!
Beach Attack?? Wha? C’mon, there was no attack. I just had to make a bunch of bird pictures sound exciting. After all, they are all just standing around and pecking around in the muck. I don’t care, getting these shots and watching these shore birds up close is what I love to do.
I shot these in the fall on a relatively isolated area of the New Jersey shore. Isolated means there is no road along the beach and you have to park and walk.
Bird Identities
To understand bird identities, you need to talk to a Bird Psychiatrist. I call them Birder Brains. Where there are birds, they are there usually wearing their psychiatry uniforms of a floppy hat, kakhi vest, and spotting scope. They not only know what kind of bird a bird is, but they understand their behaviors, foods, and political leanings. I think these birds are Sanderlings but if I have any misidentified, please let me know!
I am pretty sure there may be some Turnstones among these Sanderlings… Hmmmm….
Get Down Low
I’ve been trying to get down low for bird shots lately. I kinda like these pics from this angle, or lack thereof. Problem is that it is very hard on a 50-something’s body. My neck, back, and well everything else just doesn’t want to get down this low. On top of the pain from unnatural body contortions, the sand tears tear into your knees and elbows. Sheesh! I was really sore the next day and the story of how I got those brush-burn marks on my knees and elbows is just not cool.
To get these shots, you gotta get your camera down really low. For some, I got pretty close to the surf and occasionally a wave would wash up around me and my equipment. I knew I was putting my equipment at risk but I don’t care, I purchased this stuff to use and I don’t mind taking some calculated chances.
Baby your Equipment, then USE IT!!!
My friends know I treat my toys and stuff very well. Very very well. But my obsession with taking care of things does not stop me from using it just one bit. I buy stuff to use, not to look at and polish. Resale value means absolutely nothing to me if I have to sacrifice the fun of using it. So, to get these pipers, I knew I had to get down into the sand and possibly get that gritty crap into my equipment. I did not hesitate one bit. I had fun and that is the point of all this.
The Equipment:
- Canon 5D Mk II
- Canon 500mm L f/4.0 IS
- Gitzo 3530LS carbon fiber tripod
- Wimberley II gimbal head
- LightRoom 4
- Ibuprofen
