If you're interested in using any of these photographs in any way, please contact me. Send an e-mail to naturalhistoryphotos(at)gmail.com. Thanks!

Friday, August 23, 2019

Phalaropes and friends


There are still quite a few Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus) in Bodega Harbor.  When leaving work tonight, we noticed this group in a salt marsh pool.  Much of the water had drained out, so the phalaropes were very concentrated.  (There are over 65 phalaropes in the photo above.)

Some other shorebirds joined the phalaropes, and since it's always helpful to have views of species next to each other, here are a few examples.  See if you can spot the birds that look different than the phalaropes.  [You can click on the images for larger versions.]


A Least Sandpiper (browner) and two Western Sandpipers (pale gray) on the mud behind the phalaropes.



A Least Sandpiper (browner, far left) and two juvenile Western Sandpipers (upper right) behind the phalaropes.



Two Semipalmated Plovers (foreground left, and center) and two Least Sandpipers (far right, and third from left in upper group). 

P.S. The entry ponds at the start of Doran Beach are also a great spot to check for phalaropes.

No comments: