I have been working on cataloging some more images and came across a few shorebird pictures that I liked but had not posted them yet on my site. . It got me thinking about some of the challenges in photographing these little guys. In particular, I remember getting some sand in the focusing ring of my lens and cursing a lot. . Of course you always have to be on the lookout for the rogue wave if you are also near the waterline. . I was trying to create some compositions using the waterline as a leading graphical element through the image. . It took quite a bit of waiting for the bird and shadow to come into the same frame like I wanted.
It also brought to mind one of the biggest mysteries. Why is it in some places shorebirds will walk within a foot of your toes when you don’t have a camera, but as soon as you go to photograph them, they won’t come near you?. . Patience helps. . I think if they know you are willing to wait, soon enough they come a bit closer.
Also related to shorebirds.. the recent issue of National Wildlife Magazine has an interesting article on bar-tailed godwits. . Known to be the bird with the longest non-stop flight, 7,300 km from Alaska across the Pacific to New Zealand!. Amazing. It also points to how development in Asia might be affecting these shorebirds and many others. The article is online without the pictures and graphics here.
I know I will probably be accused of being mean again with all this beach talk. . I should be writing and posting images of freezing gusts of snow and frostbitten fingers. But think about the journey these small birds endure – and the weather doesn’t seem so bad. 
More shorebird photos in my gallery.
Pantone.® has recently announced their color of the year for 2009: 
