Ruddy Turnstones

Reviewing my photos from Bottle Beach, I was shocked how many shots I’d taken of Ruddy Turnstones. I seldom see Turnstones, much less the rarer Ruddy Turnstone, but they stand out against the smaller, less colorful sandpipers that make up most of the flock.

They also hunt for food differently than the various kinds of Sandpipers,

which is why they’re called Turnstones.

I’m not sure what they’re looking for under all those stones they turn over, but I do know that this one seemed to prize small crabs, running from other Turnstones wanted to steal his prize.

In the end, of course, I’m it’s their sheer beauty that grabs my attention.