Sanderling captured by Z 9 / 800AFS
The light was really moody when we hit the beach. In front of massive angry clouds, we watched the birds on Bolivar Beach waking up. As the clouds rumbled and far off lightning sparked, I picked the spot where I wanted to shoot. When I placed the Z 9 / 800AFS mounted to the panning plate on the sand, there were no birds in sight. I saw the surface I wanted, but it was empty. I laid there in the sand waiting, the surf slowly working its way up the beach to kiss me. Then slowly they came by, kinda like a Field of Dreams. Piping Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Laughing Gull, Willet, Semipalmated Sandpiper ventured by but didn’t stay. Finally one took the small area as its own and I was in business. A Sanderling claimed the small patch of beach as its own and started to forage. An hour and stiff neck later I had the images I wanted for the morning. It was the perfect spot to reflect.