Wilson's Plover at sunriseWilson’s Plover at sunrise – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

A few days ago when I posted an American Oystercatcher I mentioned that some shorebirds were year round residents at Fort De Soto and that others were migrants. Wilson’s Plovers are year round residents that I photographed every month of the year while I lived in Florida. Wilson’s Plovers nest at Fort De Soto and I have been fortunate to see and photograph their young (from a respectful distance of course).

Killdeer and Wilson’s Plovers look similar in appearance but Wilson’s Plovers have a single breast band and Killdeer have two. Killdeer are also larger.

The tide was out the morning I photographed this Wilson’s Plover just after the sun had come up. There are some photographers that would have passed on photographing this plover because they don’t care for the muddy setting but I love to photograph birds in their natural settings even if that includes mud. It is their habitat.

I was covered in mud after laying in the mudflat to photograph this Wilson’s Plover and I didn’t mind a bit.

Another shorebird to honor World Shorebirds’ Day.

Mia

I’m probably watching the sunrise in a the wilderness. Feel free to share!