Piping Plover
Charadrius melodus

1/500s at f5.6, ISO:250, Nikon D80 w 300mm

\"Piping Plover.\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small sand-colored, sparrow-sized shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black ring around the neck. This chest band is usually thicker in males during the breeding season, and it\'s the only reliable way to tell the sexes apart. It is difficult to see when standing still as it blends well with open, sandy beach habitats. It typically runs in short starts and stops.

South Cape Beach, Mashpee, Massachusetts

05/22/2007