Wood Sandpiper

Gallery: AvianPosted October 21, 2012152 views10 comments

My wife and I drove down to Marsh Meadows in Jamestown Rhode Island on an unusually warm October afternoon in hopes of catching a glimpse of this Sandpiper. The bird was discovered visiting Rhode Island earlier in the week, and is the first recorded Wood Sandpiper in the State, and the seventh ever recorded in the lower 48, if my research is correct.

We watched this bird parade for well over an hour several yards from where we were standing on the side of the marsh. Needless to say this was a life bird for us and a great afternoon!

D3s
500mm f/4
1/2000s @ f/6.3
ISO 800
0 EV
Manual Exp
Matrix Metered
Gitzo w/ Wimberley II

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on October 21, 2012 at 10:42 AM

Nice composition and details. I like how the foot is raised out of the water.

Congrats on the life bird, always exciting.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 21, 2012 at 11:06 AM

Real nice setting and details. It has a foggy appearance which I like. Raised foot a plus. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 21, 2012 at 12:20 PM

A fine image of this mega rarity and I'd be thrilled to have taken it. Your image shows how much this bird looks like its close relatives the yellowlegs but with a different beak.

I got to see the one that was discovered in Rye, NY at the Marshlands Conservancy on November 2, 1990, when a friend and I drove around NYC from central NJ to get there. I wish I had a shot of the Rye bird as good as this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 22, 2012 at 1:53 AM

Wow, nice find. Before I read Richard's comments I thought to myself that I would have id'ed this guy as a Yellowlegs. Rarity, but also a very nice photo all around showing good detail and excellent habitat.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Nall on October 22, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Congratulations Chuck! The larger image is fantastic with very nice sharpness/detail, fine lighting and wonderful dof. An excellent photo in every respect IMO.

Registered on October 5, 2012, 45 Posts, 168 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 22, 2012 at 1:48 PM

Congratulations on a lifer, and a lovely image to boot.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 22, 2012 at 9:20 PM

Good for you Chuck, big time! Most images I see of rarities are marginal at best but this one is very well done. Love the pose and I like the natural setting and the light on the sandpiper.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on October 23, 2012 at 3:36 PM

Congratulations on such a wonderful find. A very nice composition with good detail to showcase this bird, way to go. The larger image looks great.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 23, 2012 at 10:49 PM

I like the setting, soft light and the lifted foot. Good for you on the life bird.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 24, 2012 at 1:10 AM

Great shot of a vagrant Charles - love the raised foot

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments