A pair of whimbrels are about to begin a very entertaining squabble over a sand crab at Salinas River NWR. There was a lot of wing flapping, running, chasing, posturing, zig zagging and squawking over what is evidently a tasty morsel for these two. The whole sequence lasted for about a minute.
Tags: Salinas River NWR Whimbrel Sand crab Chase Bird Avian Beach Ocean Sand Water Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender Morning California Monterey Peninsula NGC NPC Let me help with that! Spring Trip 2016. Whimbrel Smugmug Proofs
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A pair of Whimbrels jog along the beach at Salinas River NWR.
We just returned from a great, albeit shortened trip to the San Diego and Monterey areas of California. As with all trips we saw things we didn't expect, checked items off our bucket list, caught up with relatives and made some new friends.
Salinas River NWR was only four miles north of the RV park we stayed at so I was able to make multiple trips into the area. Access to the beach is something that takes some effort, but worth it. Each day I logged between 4 and 5 miles of walking with my tripod with camera and 600mm lens attached - a great workout but sore shoulders afterwards!
Walking along the beach i met a pair of Chris's - Chris the biologist and Chris the refuge manager. Both were extremely helpful and gracious. The Refuge has a good population of endangered western snowy plovers (hint that there may be some images that follow). Although I did not see any nests or chicks (next time!) I did get to observe some males sparring and showing off for the ladies.
Whimbrels were lifers for me and as usual, until I got the iBird app out I was mis-identifying them as marbeled godwits.
Still trying to catch up! Thanks for your views and comments. They are so appreciated!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Spring Trip 2016 Salinas River NWR Bird Avian Wildlife California Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Nikon Beach Ocean Sand D750 600mm f4.0 850mm
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Tags: Salinas River NWR California Monterey Peninsula Ocean Water Beach Sand Sand Crab Whimbrel Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender Bird Avian 1.4 Extender Spring Trip 2016. Whimbrel Smugmug Proofs
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The interloper makes a grab for the sand crab while the whimbrel that dug up the sand crab is about to try to reassert its claim on the prized morsel.
Thanks for viewing! I so appreciate you taking the time to visit and comment!
Have a great and blessed weekend!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Salinas River NWR Whimbrel Sand Crab Ocean Blue Water Sand Beach California Monterey Peninsula Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender
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As if raising its wings in final triumph, the victorious whimbrel shows off its prize for all to see.
This will be the final shot in this series - it was so much fun to witness and then tell the story. Nature is so fascinating - we just need to take the time to slow down and observe.
One of the things that made this so interesting to watch was the role the sand crab played. As the two whimbrels scuffled, the crab was doing everything within its power to escape. It was dropped several times and would scurry away, only to be picked up like a fumbled football. Then the race would start all over again. The next day I observed a long-billed curlew catch a sand crab and do the same catch, release, catch routine until the crab moved no more. Once the crab quit moving the bird swallowed it down shell and all. Pretty resourceful and ingenious birds I would say!
Thanks for staying with me as this story played out! As always I greatly appreciate your views and comments.
Have a great week ahead!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Salinas River NWR Whimbrel Sand Crab Beach Water Ocean Sand Avian Bird Monterey Peninsula California Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender NGC
© All Rights Reserved