Sanderling Encore

 

Sanderlings at Halibut Point 

The flocks of Sanderlings on our shoreline deserve an encore presentation in the "Notes from Halibut Point." 

During the past week they have enlivened the tidal zone with many more photogenic opportunities. Of course some of the credit goes to the stunning environment itself.

An 'encore' is a demand made by an audience for an additional appearance by performers on stage.

It is a call for 'more', or 'again', after a delightful experience. 

Sanderlings feeding

Just going about their daily necessities these birds can't help being picturesque to us.

Sanderlings bathing

They're diminutive, approachable and resilient, with mysterious intelligence. Cute, you might say, in astonishment at their mastery of a harsh environment and global migration.

A school of fish in the water beside them with equally impressive life achievements would not seem nearly as charming.

Sanderlings blend highly developed individual and collective skills in the solar-energized tumult of atmosphere and ocean. 

Like us, they stand on two legs. Then they fly.