Last evening, I set out on an urban wildlife photo walk with a focus on shorebirds. With the tide coming in, I wasn’t expecting much, but as always, nature had a surprise in store for me. As I strolled along the beach, the sound of faint chirping caught my attention. I heard the unmistakable warning call of Killdeer, but for the life of me, I couldn’t see them. Their camouflage was so effective that I stood there for a moment, puzzled. Just when I thought they might be out of reach, two Killdeer suddenly flew out from the logs on the beach. I quickly snapped a few shots and then sat down on a nearby log, trying to steady my 600mm lens—still working on perfecting that balance!
To my delight, one of the Killdeer returned to the beach, giving me another chance to capture its beauty up close. Killdeer are known for their incredible camouflage—did you know their feathers blend seamlessly into the sandy, rocky beach environment? Their brown and white plumage allows them to nearly disappear against the varying colours of the sand, making them masters of disguise.
The Kill Deer were quite far down the beach, so getting a up close shot was hard. And I didn't want to stress the birds out by moving closer.
As I finished snapping, something unexpected caught my eye—a group of blackbirds, quite far offshore (clearly outside my 600mm lens distance). Curious, I aimed my lens and took a few more shots, planning to review them later. To my surprise, I discovered they were Double-crested Cormorants, sunbathing and drying off their wings. Cormorants have a unique relationship with the sun; unlike many birds, their feathers are not entirely waterproof, which helps them dive and swim more effectively. After fishing, they often spread their wings to soak up the sun’s warmth, drying their feathers and heating their bodies after a chilly dip in the water.
Ticking off not one, but two more birds from my bird photo list was exhilarating. The thrill of photographing urban wildlife never ceases to amaze me. After a long day at work, these moments bring a sense of peace and joy that’s hard to describe. It’s a reminder of how magical it is that these creatures coexist with us in urban settings—often unnoticed, yet so vital to our mental well-being. We often take these everyday encounters for granted, but for me, they are nothing short of extraordinary.
As much as I enjoy these encounters, it’s important to remember that shorebirds like Killdeer and Cormorants need our help to thrive in these environments. Simple actions can make a big difference:
Keep Beaches Clean: Removing litter and avoiding disturbing nesting areas can help protect these birds’ habitats.
Respect Wildlife Areas: Keeping a safe distance from birds, especially during breeding seasons, helps reduce stress on them.
Use Binoculars or Telephoto Lenses: This allows you to observe and photograph birds without getting too close, minimizing your impact on their natural behaviour.
Every small effort counts in helping shorebirds like the Killdeer and Double-crested Cormorants continue to thrive in our shared urban spaces. Let’s do our part to ensure these magical moments can be enjoyed for generations to come.
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