Snuggling In

One sunny windy day at the beach, dozens of birds are nestled on the sand. This little Dunlin faces into the wind and then turns his head and tucks... more

by Julie Cameron

Title

Snuggling In

Artist

Julie Cameron

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

One sunny windy day at the beach, dozens of birds are nestled on the sand. This little Dunlin faces into the wind and then turns his head and tucks her bill in to her feathers.I snap this shot just she slowly closes her eyes. I am not sure if she is sleeping or simply enjoying the warm sun on her feathers. I am captivated by the details of her feathers and delicateness of her legs. - Julie
The Dunlin is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches. Large numbers can often be seen swirling in synchronized flight on stop-overs during migration or on their winter habitat.
This bird is one of the most common and best-known waders throughout its breeding and wintering ranges, and it is the species with which other waders tend to be compared. The Dunlin moves along the coastal mudflat beaches it prefers with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action, methodically picking small food items. Insects form the main part of the Dunlin's diet on the nesting grounds; it eats mollusks, worms and crustaceans in coastal areas.
The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground lined with vegetation, into which typically four eggs are laid and incubated by the male and female parents. Chicks are precocial, however are brooded during early development. They start to fly at approximately three weeks of age. The majority of brood care is provided by the male, as the female deserts the brood and often leaves the breeding area.
The call is a typical sandpiper "peep", and the display song a harsh trill. - Wikipedia

Uploaded

February 1st, 2013