During the coldest parts of Winter, usually December, January and February, I enjoy taking day trips to the shore and photograph wintering shorebirds. Although winter is not my favorite time of the year because of cold, I just wrap up in clothing so tight that I must look like a Walrus walking the jetty and hopping from rock to rock. Someone tried to throw a fish my way once but I couldn't raise my arms up high enough to catch it, so I tried to catch it with my mouth :O :O :O Anyway, that's a different story for another time

One of the easiest shorebirds to find and photograph in mass is a bird called "Dunlin". A very easy bird to photograph, they don't get spooked too easily and if they do, they usually return close to the same spot again in a short period of time. In this photo you see below, I ran across some Dunlin while walking the jetty. Yeah, we were having a standoff and these Dunlin were ready to fight I think




Here is a flock of Dunlin in flight just off the jetty over the water



and here are some photos of a Dunlin having a relaxing day and one having a drink :)






All of these Dunlin are in non-breeding plumage


Some cool facts about Dunlin are taken from "The Cornell Lab of Ornithology" website

1. Dunlin breeding in northern Alaska apparently move west, migrating down the eastern side of Siberia and Asia to Japan and China

2. The oldest recorded Dunlin was at least 12 years, 5 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in California

My camera equipment:

Canon EOS 60D body

Canon EF-S 18-135mmf/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM for Canon EF mount

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di Vc USD Lens for Canon

All photos are handshot, no tripod

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read this post. Have a great day/night wherever you may be