Semipalmated Plover

Another shot from August. This was shot on the 30th of the month as well near Matthew's Lake. I've been noticing a few on the beaches here in East Jordan in recent days. For those who are wondering, the name refers to the partial web between the toes on these birds - not visible in this shot. I would assume it helps while walking in soft sand where they generally are found feeding.

Pectoral Sandpiper

This was one of three birds of this species I photographed on this day. August 30, Matthew's Lake.

Wilson's Phalarope

This is a species I haven't seen for about three years. They're quite fun to observe the way they dart about chasing prey, more actively than most other shorebirds. August 29 near Matthew's Lake except the bottom photo taken on the 27th.

Hudsonian Godwits

I've only ever shot these birds in the lake at low tide but was pretty sure they could be found in other locations when the lake flooded at high tide. On August 27 they proved my suspicions when they landed in one of the ponds on the edge of Matthew's Lake.

Baird's Sandpiper

The top three shots were taken on August 25, the first on the beach and the next two in one of the ponds near Matthew's Lake. The last shot was taken on the beach on August 27. This was probably the most co-operative individual Baird's I've found to date, assuming it's the same bird in all the photos.  Likely a juvenile.

Peeps

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

The smallest of our sandpipers are collectively known as peeps. One can guess that the name derives from the calls they give, most often in flight. These shots were taken at Matthew's Lake on August 25.

Black-bellied Plovers

Some Black-bellied Plover shots from August 24 at Matthew's Lake.

Yellowlegs

These are from August 24 at Matthew's Lake. The top bird is a Lesser Yellowlegs. I don't remember actually trying for a flight shot, I think the bird just flew into my focus point as I clicked the shutter. The Greater Yellowlegs in the bottom photo was being very vocal as they often are. They tend to make the birds around them more jumpy. It can make the bird you're actually trying to get close to more difficult.

Short-billed Dowitchers

The top shot is from August 24, the bottom one from August 30 at the same location near Matthew's Lake. There are still lots of these birds around but the numbers should start thinning out in the next few weeks as they continue to head south.

Gadwall

August 24 Mathew's Lake area. I counted as many as 13 Gadwall in the one pond, possibly from a single brood.

Stilt Sandpipers

These shots were taken a week apart at the same location near Mathew's Lake. August 23 and 30 respectively. The bottom photo was from late in the day when the light was fading and the bird was walking toward the setting sun. There were at least two individuals on the 30th and as many as three birds on one occasion. This could be the same bird in both shots but I can't be certain.