Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Flock of sandpipers, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Sandpipers in flight - Pat Ulrich Wildlife Photography

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had a wonderful first two days of wildlife photography in Massachusetts last week. This lovely flock of sandpipers (mostly sanderlings and dunlin) were very friendly, and accepted me right into their flock. A handful of times while I was lying in the sand with them, something would spook the birds, and the whole flock would take off in a delightful show of calculated chaos!

Tight flight formation of sandpipers

They would then circle around and land back on the beach. On more than one occasion the flock landed on three sides of me, leaving me quite literally in the middle (too much fun!). Better yet, since a bunch of them landed between me and the ocean, I didn't have to be as careful about keeping an eye out for waves that would get me wet, since every time the water started coming towards me, I would hear a loud uprising of irritated peeping coming from the sandpiper crew to my right.

Flock of sandpipers flying together

The four images in this post are all from one take-off and landing event as they circled around me, and are in the order that I took them. I always find it amazing to witness the movement of flocking birds, and it's so fascinating to see how closely they fly together without bumping one another. I also love to see the patterns that form as they rapidly change directions, and especially when the early light is still glistening off of their feathers.

Flock of sandpipers in flight

View more photos of these adorable shorebirds in my Sandpipers Gallery.

This post was submitted to World Bird Wednesday -- follow the link to check out this week's posts!
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23 comments:

  1. ReenaOctober 25, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Love moments like that ... we experienced the same while on a Florida beach with the terns. Such beauty!

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  2. John @ Beans and I on the LooseOctober 25, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    The two middle shots showing their topsides are really cool. So it sounds like you are finding east coast shore birds a lot more photo friendly than those you left behind here on the west coast. Interesting.

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  3. Modesto ViegasOctober 25, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Excellent shots!!!

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  4. LizOctober 25, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Excellent shots! What a wonderful capture!

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  5. TexWisGirlOctober 25, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    just gorgeous, pat. what an event to be smack in the middle of! :)

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  6. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Terrific post Pat. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  7. UnknownOctober 25, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    What excellent shots! I don't know how they don't bump into each other!

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  8. ???October 25, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Brilliant photos, I love the order in all that chaos.

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  9. theconstantwalkerOctober 25, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Fantastic to see these images of a great event thanks for sharing Pat

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  10. SpringmanOctober 25, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    So much of nature is beyond our comprehension and that is where AWE comes from I suppose. The incomprehensible communication that goes on in flocking birds is a grand example of that.
    Like everyone else, I am glad the Ulrich's have landed safely on the East coast after your amazing trek across the continent. You have not missed a beat, it is great to see you back on the beach and reeling in your special brand of natural selection!
    Brilliant pic's Pat, they would make a great mural!

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  11. mickOctober 25, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Beautiful photos and your description of lying on the sand with the birds all around you is amazing.

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  12. Julie G.October 25, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Superb images! What a glorious experience for you. I have never seen photographs like this before ... truly sensational!

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  13. NatureFootstepOctober 25, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    it is a wonder to see them taking off like that. And so fun to watch. Great shots!

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  14. PatOctober 25, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    What a wonderful experience it must have been to be in the midst of the flock! Great photos!

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  15. Stewart MOctober 26, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Hi there - these are stunning images!

    I tried the "Pat Ulrich" crawling method for my pictures on WBW - but no real luck - I either need lessons, more practice, longer lenses or all 3!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  16. eileenOctober 26, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    Awesome shots!

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  17. UnknownOctober 26, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Oh my good heavens! this is stunning! wish I could have seen them!

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  18. jeanlivingsimpleOctober 26, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    Awesome group shots Pat!

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  19. AnonymousOctober 26, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Scrolled down to find where this wonderful place is! I am so impressed -- wish I could bird there. Your pictures are amazing.

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  20. Photo RestorationOctober 27, 2011 at 4:03 AM

    Really great, it shows beauty, scale and power all in one.

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  21. JudyOctober 27, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Wow!! I have never been able to get so close to the birds! I love watching the redwings when they mass in the marsh, though. Same sort of chaos...

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  22. LarryOctober 29, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    How do they do it Pat? Watching shorebirds flocking like this has always been enticing to me. The way the entire flock changes color when banking and turning is just so beautiful. And the fact that you were able to witness this from the inside would be a dream come true! I must say that I really like that first shot, the take off, with the ocean waves peeking through. It is amazing how they accomplish this extravaganza without running into each other.

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  23. DaveOctober 30, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Brilliant set Pat.

    I produced a series a few weeks ago with Knot and a few Black tailed Godwits mixed in... didnt come out quite as clear as these superb shots.

    Its always a brilliant spectacle to see shorebirds en masse like this.

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