Ruddy Turnstone eating Horseshoe Crab egg

[Bill Dix]

Despite the shortcomings of the image (HA, IQ, light), I thought this was worth sharing for two reasons: first, to compare the breeding plumage of this bird to the winter plumage of Geoffrey's post of last evening; and second, because it illustrates the amazing migration story of these birds. Like the Red Knots, these guys migrate from their winter home in southern South America (OK, some winter further north), all the way to their high Arctic breeding grounds. Their migration is timed to coincide with the spawning of the Horseshoe Crabs on Reed's Beach and similar locations on the Delaware Bayshore, where the Knots and Turnstones stop over to gorge themselves on tiny, cavier-sized eggs of the crab, to refuel for their remaining journey. Through sheer luck I captured this one last Saturday with a tiny egg in his beak. I wonder how many of these eggs they have to eat to sustain their energy for the remaining thousands of miles?

D7000, 700mm, ISO 500, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual, fill @ -1.3 EV.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

The story that goes with this image lends great impact to your image. The plumage difference is extraordinary. Even the legs almost become red. Again, with their timing for the Horseshoe Crab eggs, it adds to the interest and the icing on the cake is the one egg in its beak with his tongue reaching for it. Amazing capture, Bill.



Geoffrey

[Ivan Sjögren]

It surely is a spectacular story and change these birds go through. You seem to be aware of the small errors in this shot as you allready mentioned them. I think it is a beautiful shot either way!

[gail bisson]

Thanks for the natural history on this beautiful bird.
Pretty cool to see the egg in the mouth.
TFS,
Gail
PS Are my red knots there?!!They stopped in Sanibel on their way to you.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks for the natural history on this beautiful bird.
Pretty cool to see the egg in the mouth.
TFS,
Gail
PS Are my red knots there?!!They stopped in Sanibel on their way to you.

Thanks Gail. Yes, we have Red Knots. I'll post one in coming days, also without a band. But not yours. The ones I saw here the other day were less red; less advanced into their full breeding plumage.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks for the write-up on these guys' migration. It truly is remarkable. I agree with your self critique of the image.

[Iain Barker]

Nice behavior captured Bill. The egg although tiny adds interest to the image. I like your composition from the low angle very much.
TFS
Iain

[Karl Egressy]

Nice breeding colors, nice low angle shooting, Bill. I wish it had light in the eye. Maybe you can bring it out.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image ,Bill Sir.

Regards,
Satish.

[Diane Miller]

What timing! Both for your shot and for their caviar snacks. Thanks for the story! Who knew crabs laid eggs?