Copyright © 2018 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
While at the beach a couple weeks ago to photograph the Moon we came across a protected area where we discovered Snowy Plovers nesting.
They’re a small shorebird found on beaches, and barren ground all across North American Gulf and Pacific coasts and here and there in California, Texas, and Saskatchewan inland areas. They are also found in South America, and Eurasia.
Neat facts from allaboutbirds.org:
The Snowy Plover will many time raise two broods a year, and sometimes three in places where the breeding season is long. The female deserts her mate and brood about the time the chicks hatch and initiates a new breeding with a different male.
Young Snowy Plovers leave their nest within three hours of hatching! They flatten themselves on the ground when a parent signal the approach of people or possible predators. They walk, run, and swim well and forage unaided by parents, but need periodic brooding for many days after hatching.
The oldest recorded Snowy Plover was at least 15 years, 2 months old when it was spotted in the wild in California and identified by its band. ~allaboutbirds.org
This one was really close to the edge of the protected nesting area which was great. It gave us really great looks, and photo ops.
Sadly, the Snowy Plover population is listed as Near Threatened as their numbers are in decline. It’s believed their habitat is in decline due to habitat alteration, and increased recreational use of beaches.
I was happy to see this section roped/taped off, and no one breached the barrier while I was there so, it looks like people are respecting them, and the rules to stay out of the area while they’re nesting. I hope that bodes well for a successful breeding season for these cute little shorebirds.
I hope your week is going well, and you all have a lovely week-end!
Nikon D810| Nikkor 200-500mm @500mm| Lexar Digital Film| PS CC 2018
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
Hi Deborah, I like the photo of the one peering out from the sand. What a cute little bird! ❤️ I have a photo of a Piping Plover on a wall calendar for August. 👍
Thank you so much Jill! They are adorable aren’t they.
Yes!! ❤️💜💗
I don’t think I have ever seen a Snowy Plover. Such a cute little birds. Great shots, Deborah!
Thank you so much Antonia!
Wonderful captures and great information about this cute little bird!
Thank you so much Denise!
What an adorable little bird, Debora. I wasn’t familiar with the Snowy Plover — thanks for this introduction. I’m always amused and fascinated by birds who live on the ground. When I lived in Albuquerque they had burrowing owls. During the time I worked with the power company, they had a live web cam outside the home of Bob the Burrowing Owl and his family. Amazing birds. Hugs on the wing.
Ooh, I love Burrowing Owls! I’m following the drama of a family of them now that will be moved after their brood fledges. The site is going to be developed. I first saw and photographed the adults 4 yrs ago or so. It’s tough knowing they’re being relocated. I just hope they do well wherever they end up, and that I see them again.
Oops… I see I missed the “h” on my keyboard. I’m sorry about the typo in your name.
How cool about the owls! The old web cam was very poor image quality. But it was always exciting to see them out and about.
These sweet plovers are making me smile, Deb! So cheerful!
I may be nearly caught up here, my dear friend.
I have put in ten years at the warehouse and wrote my letter of resignation. Two week’s notice and taking on being my youngest daughter’s assistant, so excited! 🤗
I love birds, and these are very sweet. I’m so sorry they’re endangered. Lovely photos.
Thank you so much Val! Hopefully they’ll make a comeback.
beautiful captures Deb! These guys are adorable. I don’t think we have them here!
Thank you so much!
This was so interesting, Deborah. What a clever bird, and very cute. Outstanding photos!
Thank you so much Jennie! They are cute.
You’re welcome, Deborah.
What a neat little bird, a shame with them being threatened. Beautifully captured!
Thank you so much John! Hopefully, they’ll make a comeback.
Such beautiful pictures and wonderful information Deborah! Love this post.
Thank you so much for the visit Lynn! I appreciate it. xx
Loved this informative post about a sweet little bird and the photos are delightful, Deborah. 👏🏻
Thank you so much Camie!
Well caught, nice detail of these little birds. How interesting that mother takes off for a second brood so quickly, that may help increase the population if the habitat is preserved.
I sure hope so Pauline! Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
Nice captures! It looks like your 500 mm lens but the really low angle almost seems like you were in a prone position. Didn’t know this bird was on the endangered spices list; lets hope they can recover!
Thank you so much Gordon! I was on my knees and elbows. These guys are so small you need to be at their level to get a decent image.
If you’re free next week in the morning I can meet you there to photograph them. I’m up for that, and I’ll have the morning free. I’ll have to home before noon though so it will have to be early like when the sun is coming up early. I do believe it would be counter commute though…on the bright side. 😉
Oh, my goodness, but they are so very cute. 🙂 But, I almost fainted when I saw the word, snowy, and then your header shot – I thought we were back in winter. I’ve been sweltering, but I still don’t want to shovel. 🙂
I do not know how you two are still shoveling snow and baring those terribly frigid winters, and hot and humid summers! I would have moved to SC or Southern California by now. I say that and it looks like He-Man and I will be moving to NV and a slightly colder winter climate than I’m in now! The heat in Summer will be like our late July through early September months so, that won’t be too hard to adjust to. At least not with A/C and ceiling fans in the house. Thankfully neither He-Man or I will be shoveling much snow! It doesn’t snow much or hard where He-Man and I are planning to retire. I don’t blame you for not looking forward to that cold and back breaking work…not even Dan’s nifty snow blower would entice me out in the wee hours of the morning to clear the driveway, sidewalk, and entry path to the front door.
The Snowy Plovers are cute though…I’m glad they don’t require snow to be present in this climate now! 😊
Thank you so much for your comment Judy. You always inspire conversation rather than a short reply. I love that!
That is a totally new-to-me bird, and I’m sad to know they’re threatened
So cute! Love the wide happy eyes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and seeing a new to you little shorebird. They are cute little things.
So adorable!
Thank you so much Cindy!
Beautiful captures Deborah! It’s amazing that they leave the nest so early!
Isn’t it amazing. Like how amazing it is for baby turtles to hatch and head straight to sea and be totally independent and on their own!
Thank you so much Amy! It’s good to see you back and blogging.
Thank you, Deborah. We have these birds on our beaches I dd not know the young were so quick to leave the nest
Thank you John! I had no idea either! The teacher learns the most they say. 😊 Well, I learned along with you.
🙂
What a dear little bird! I love the picture of that one peeping over the top of the sand. Beautiful images!
Thank you so much Sue! I barely saw that little one peeking up from its hole in the sand! I was panning around looking through my viewfinder and there it was. They blend in so well with the sand!
Great pictures, Deborah, and thanks for the information. 🙂
Thank you for the visit and comment Pit I appreciate it very much.
Such sweet little birds. Always heartening to hear of efforts to help at-risk species. Love the last shot Deborah!
Thank you so much Belinda!
I really like the POV you used, Deborah. As already mentioned, it’s good to know that something is being done to try to protect them. It’s always a conundrum when a species is in a place that people want to go (or sometimes need to go.) Hopefully this will work out well.
janet
Thank you so much Janet! I hope it works out for them too.
These are wonderful photos, Deborah, and I like the information, since we don’t have them anywhere near us. I’m glad that there is a protected area for them. We rarely seem to consider the habitats we are destroying when we choose to open places up for development.
Thank you so much Dan! Hopefully this season is good for these little guys this year and most of the chicks survive.
Love the eye level you got down to to get these beautiful images of such a delicate little plover! Great job, Deborah!
Thank you so much Donna! They’re so small that getting down on my knees, and elbows was the best angle to see them from. I’m so glad you like the images.