A Ruddy Turnstone enjoys a clam dinner on the beach at Fort DeSoto State Park:
The mass of beach detritus (in the picture below) was jumping around as if there were an earthquake under it. It took a few minutes before I saw the birds that were making it move. Three or four Turnstones had dug under the sticks and were tossing the material up and down as they burrowed under it for more to eat.
From Audubon Society Field Guide. Eastern Region: Turnstones are named from their method of feeding, in which they walk along the beach, deftly roling small stones and pebbles and seizing the animals hiding underneath. They also dig holes in the sand, often larger than themselves, in pursuit of burrowing crustaceans.
It was shells and twigs that they were turning over here, but whatever they're working on, the beach is a real buffet for these little guys. (They're about 8 inches long.)
Looks like he's had enough to eat for now!
This post is linked to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY. Thank you Stuart. And if you haven't already seen yesterday's post on our eagle neighbors, you may want to scroll back to it. (It isn't often that I have enough birding experiences to post twice in one week and I'm excited about it!)
Excellent close up shots!
Posted by: Karen | January 01, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Super shots and fascinating detail!
Posted by: Hazel | January 01, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Lovely! Photos showing bird behaviour are great. Thanks for the info on their name too
Posted by: Amanda | January 01, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Wonderful pattern design on the feathers of this little one! Beautiful photos!
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | January 01, 2013 at 12:20 PM
I love it!
Our crows do this with leaves, looking for bugs. They are fun to watch.
Beautiful photos!!!!!!!
Cheers from Cottage Country!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | January 01, 2013 at 01:35 PM
they sure are cute! and really pretty feathered ones. nice shots, sallie!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | January 01, 2013 at 02:31 PM
What an interesting bird, one I have never heard of.
I don't think that they are native to Australia, maybe Stewart M may know???
Sea gulls seem to do similar things here on the beaches and beach parks and are quite brilliant at the rubbish bins in opening bags of left over picnic food.
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
Posted by: Colin | January 01, 2013 at 02:48 PM
Nice shots and wonderful way to spend time birdwatching on the beach.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 01, 2013 at 02:57 PM
Great photos of the Ruddy Turnstones. I see them down here too but can never get that close to them.
Posted by: Mick | January 01, 2013 at 04:24 PM
Wow ! I love these bird photos ~ I don't see enough birds around ~ Happy New Year ^_^
(A Creative Harbor aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^)
Posted by: artmusedog and Carol | January 01, 2013 at 05:56 PM
What fun! And what great images.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | January 01, 2013 at 06:21 PM
Amazing captures!
happy New Year!
Posted by: REGINA | January 01, 2013 at 10:11 PM
What lovely shots of this charming bird.
Posted by: ladyfi | January 01, 2013 at 11:44 PM
Great pictures - and like Mick said above they can be hard to get close to down here! But I do like birds that can be seen almost everywhere.
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | January 02, 2013 at 12:47 AM
I love your up-close and personal shots of these adorable ruddy turnstones, Sallie.
They can be hard to capture as they scamper from one thing to another so quickly. Well done, my friend!
I'm addicted to the eagle cam!
be well and happy ~:)
Posted by: Pam :) | January 02, 2013 at 01:16 AM
Your Turnstones obviously have the same habits as ours do Sallie, but over here they don't get to see such enormous clams. Great shots.
Posted by: Phil | January 02, 2013 at 01:19 AM
Cute shots of the Turnstones, Sallie! They are great birds! Awesome photos. Happy Day, Happy year!
Posted by: Eileen | January 02, 2013 at 02:23 AM
Fantastic shots. Looks like he got a nice dinner.
Posted by: Carver | January 02, 2013 at 07:20 AM
Beautifully captured photos of the Turnstones Sallie! Lovely little birds. Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed reading how you celebrated New Years on your boat. Happy New Year to you and all your Loved Ones! :)
Posted by: Denise | January 02, 2013 at 07:26 AM
Sallie, these are fantastic images!!! I have never heard of this bird, so it was a delight learning about them. They sort of remind me of sandpipers in appearance. They must not be as skittish because you were able to get pretty close, unless you have a very good zoom lens!
Posted by: Gail Dixon | January 02, 2013 at 08:10 AM
Nice close-ups! These Turnstones would be fun to watch.
Posted by: Lindy | January 02, 2013 at 08:57 AM
Great close ups!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | January 02, 2013 at 11:30 AM
These are great low-angle shots!
Posted by: Pat | January 02, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Well, as I said in the comment on the 1/2/13 post, Yum, clams!
Posted by: Clair Z. | January 02, 2013 at 12:54 PM
Beautiful shots of the Turnstones!
Here it's impossible to go out and look for birds as my camera is not waterproof.
Thanks for sharing your local eagles, I have to look at them each time I visit you.
Have a great day, Sallie.
Mette
Posted by: CameraCruise | January 02, 2013 at 01:44 PM
Awesome photos of the Ruddy Turnstone..I Love shore birds!! Happy New Yr to you.
Posted by: Sondra | January 02, 2013 at 05:13 PM
Thanks for sharing this pretty bird!
Posted by: pattisj | January 02, 2013 at 06:26 PM
Beautiful series. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Neil | January 02, 2013 at 09:23 PM
wow Sallie, this is really great photos and story. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | January 03, 2013 at 03:16 AM
These are such exciting shots, Sallie. You really got "up close and personal" with these.
Posted by: Penny | January 03, 2013 at 07:35 AM
Oh I have never seen one..good photos..Michelle
Posted by: Rambling Woods | January 04, 2013 at 12:07 PM