A Great Coastal Getaway

I am back from a very enjoyable weekend getaway on Emerald Island, North Carolina. The greater part of the time was devoted to a music conference but I did get the chance to break away and enjoy the shore birds, periodically. The most interesting observing concerned some Ruddy Turnstones (one is pictured) which were dominating the usually ubiquitous Sanderlings. All of the shorebirds profited from the wave action generated by Hurricane Bill many hundreds of miles to the southeast. One Short Billed Dowitcher I watched hardly moved, content with the rich feast of creatures swept in by the powerful surf. And these humble birds were a feast for me, especially as not a one of them is likely to turn up in my back yard!