Dance of the Sandpipers

Yesterday the rain stopped and the day was partly cloudy, but with enough sunshine that made for a good day for a Skagit Valley photo shoot. My very patient driver Marty and I set out and drove along many of the local roads. Late in the afternoon we spotted a huge flock of birds flying around a field that had been flooded. We pulled off on a side road to get a better view.

The flooded field was obviously providing some good treats for what I think are Western Sandpipers, but if anyone has a better ID please let me know.

They would spend a while between flights feeding on the ground, probably insects that were washed up in the flooded field.

There was much coming and going, and the sun sparkled off the birds and the water.

What a fun party they were having!

The real excitement happened when they all took to the air and flew in a wonderful synchronized ballet.

The still photos gave a good view of the activity, but I used my little camera to take a video. That provides the best view of all.