After leaving the Cardurnock area of the Solway the other day, I made my way over to Silloth, knowing that by the time I got there the tide would be well and truly in. And as I had found Turnstones there before , I was hoping my luck would be in, and I would find some.
There is a convenient car park just by the seawall, and within a few yards there is a slipway for the local lifeboat to be launched when needed. As I approached the slipway I noted 3 Turnstones running around, and feeding, I started to ready my camera, to get my first shot when a family with children started to approach from the opposite direction. Suddenly the kids started screaming and shouting and ran at the birds, making the Turnstones and any other birds take flight, and the parents did nothing to stop them. What can you do , I gave them black looks and moved on.
Just past the slipway I found these little beauties-----------
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| A flock of about 30 Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) that had fortunately escaped the unruly children. |
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| I spent quite a bit of time watching their antics. |
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| Some where sleeping |
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| one or two where preening. |
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| Others where just on guard, and if I tried to get too close, all heads would come up, and I new not to push any closer, otherwise they would take flight. |
I enjoyed them, I hope you have. linking to Our World Tuesday---
http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.co.uk/
they're so cute! love their mottled feather patterns and bright orange legs.
ReplyDeleteI very enjoyed seeing these beautiful birds. In all likelihood I'll never see one in person. Love their orange leggings.
ReplyDeletehier hebt jij niet alleen van genoten, het is geweldig mooi.
ReplyDeleteLove the Turnstones. The first one I had, was on a Isle of Mull, but that wasn't anything compared to your photos, well done Gordon.
ReplyDeleteLove all your great shots of the turnstones! It drives me crazy when the kids chase the birds...even worse is when I see adults chasing them!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of these beauties, in spite of the interference.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I got a huge kick out of your comment. Actually, he has guns, and was loading his, when I told him that Big Red was off limits!
What pretty birds!
ReplyDeleteI've seen Turnstone at Silloth! And as far as I recall it was one of the coldest places on Earth!
ReplyDeleteThe Jag would make a great project - I do wonder why its just being left there every time I walk past it.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Hi Gordon. I find Turnstones are always good fun in watching their feeding tactics and they are usually very accommodating to a camera - unless there are grockles and rugrats around.
ReplyDeleteGreat captures, Gordon, and a brilliant header shot! Thanks for sharing (and visiting).
ReplyDeleteA great series of photos. I sometimes see a few Turnstones around here but never in the numbers you show. I wish there were some way to teach parents and children that the beaches and sea-side belong to birds as well as people!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful close-ups of the birds! Really like your header photo too!
ReplyDeleteLovely set of photos of nature's little gems ~ for OWT ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteartmusedog and carol
www.acreativeharbor.com
Nice pictures Gordon. I do like the Turnstone. Always great to see.
ReplyDeletegreat pics of your Turnstones Gordon; I find it hard to ID some of the shore-birds ...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your Kind comments.
ReplyDeleteGordon.
GREAT images Gordon!!!
ReplyDelete[by the way, as the comment box was loading I got a glimpse of the polecat in your previous post....sweet!!!]
Thumbs up on the Turnstone photos. Never seen them before.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up on the Turnstone photos. Never seen them before.
ReplyDelete