Sunday, July 11, 2010

A Black-bellied Plover sans the black belly...

Birding Longboat Key, FloridaBack in March, when this photo was taken, this Black-bellied Plover was still in his non-breeding plumage. His black belly doesn't show up until he molts into his summer breeding plumage. He nests all the way up in the arctic, so I don't think I'll be seeing that black belly any time soon...





...this fellow was foraging with a small flock of Willets. He was off on his own, yet at the same time, he was very much part of the Willets' flock. I enjoyed watching him peck out his dinner. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds's site, the Black-bellied Plover is the only American plover with a hind toe. It's very small. If you look closely in the second photo, you can just make it out.
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19 comments:

  1. RoyJuly 12, 2010 at 12:14 AM

    Nice shots, Kelly! Black-bellies Summer here in our area; I've seen some but they've all been out of camera range.

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  2. VickieJuly 12, 2010 at 12:25 AM

    Great images. And don't you just love those knees!

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  3. ElaineJuly 12, 2010 at 3:34 AM

    Very nice, Kelly. I love the head-on shot.

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  4. holdingmomentsJuly 12, 2010 at 3:57 AM

    Amazing shots Kelly. Love the low angle on these.
    And he does have a tiny hind toe, doesn't he.

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  5. ChrisJuly 12, 2010 at 5:01 AM

    Very nice shots Kelly, I love the last one a lot with this nice low angle. Superb!

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  6. AnonymousJuly 12, 2010 at 6:19 AM

    Fabulous close ups of this bird Kelly.

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  7. Wanda.....July 12, 2010 at 7:23 AM

    I missed commenting on some of your recent paintings Kelly, loved the Eastern Towhee! You could paint a lovely Black-bellied Plover too, I'm sure!

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  8. Out on the prairieJuly 12, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    Great shots, I enjoy watching them search for food.Their chatter is fun also.

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  9. Betsy Banks AdamsJuly 12, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    cute little Black-bellied Plover, Kelly... That is interesting about the hind toe. I would never have even noticed.

    Cute little bird. You got some great close-ups of him. Thanks!!!!

    Hope you are having a good summer so far.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. Janice KJuly 12, 2010 at 10:44 AM

    Those are some "nose to nose" shots....Looked like you were right at his level. Really neat!

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  11. Warren BakerJuly 12, 2010 at 1:33 PM

    Cool pics kelly! How did you get so close! ?

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  12. AnonymousJuly 12, 2010 at 2:31 PM

    I have never seen one of these until today. And your photos are so clear they show the bird with all its features. Very good photography, as usual, Kelly.

    I need your help. Do you have a favorite recipe?

    I am trying to get some favorite family recipes from some of my favorite bloggers. I even started a new blog to hold them and I have already received some submissions and more have been promised.

    I would like for you to type out your favorite family recipe. Nothing fancy, just whatever type is on your machine. Include your photo of yourself or of the dish you send or both. I can usually use your blogging profile photo if that is OK with you. Include the recipe.

    Send the recipe, with your photo and a photo of your recipe in a dish or whatever, to:

    http://fatladyrecipes.blogspot.com/
    Fat Lady Recipes

    Thank you for your recipe.

    Abe Lincoln

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  13. MontanagirlJuly 12, 2010 at 5:35 PM

    Terrific shots, Kelly. You do wonders with a camera! I always look forward to your posts.

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  14. DaveJuly 12, 2010 at 8:02 PM

    Hi Peanut!
    Nice close ups!

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  15. AllisonJuly 13, 2010 at 7:11 AM

    Beautiful photos--the detail in his plumage is wonderul!

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  16. EJuly 13, 2010 at 9:05 AM

    Great beauty, all the pics, brava! hugs

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  17. troutbirderJuly 13, 2010 at 12:30 PM

    Wonderful pictures. I saw lots of shorebirds on our first ever Florida visit last March. Shorebirds are a big problems here as I live in the only county in the "Land of Ten Thousand Lakes" without a SINGLE lake!

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  18. Kathie BrownJuly 13, 2010 at 2:20 PM

    These are amazing shots! Love them all! Good info too!

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  19. Birding is Fun!July 28, 2010 at 11:25 PM

    really fantastic close-ups

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