During our day trip down the shore at Avalon Beach, Bhavna and I continued our observation of the shoreline, soaking in the sun and the soothing sounds of the waves gently rolling in. As we sat, I spotted a few small shorebirds swiftly darting in and out of the waves with surprising speed. They were Sanderlings (Calidris alba). I’ve seen them many times on previous shore visits, but this time I had the right lens, my XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR, to capture a photograph.

The Sanderling's light brown and white plumage shimmered as they foraged along the wet sand, blending with the scattered seashells and pebbles. With their slender black beak pointed downward, they picked at tiny bits of debris left behind by the retreating tide. They moved quickly, never still for more than a moment; their delicate legs were a blur as they ran along the water's edge.

The sunlight was just right—the soft glow of the late morning casting a gentle light on the scene. As the waves receded, the sand briefly glistened with the retreating water. The Sanderling seemed like seasoned beachcombers, entirely at home among the shells and sea foam.

Sanderlings (Calidris alba) and Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) are closely related. Both species belong to the Scolopacidae family, which is the family of shorebirds often referred to as sandpipers.

https://islandinthenet.com/sanderling/

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