Riding the Waves by Priyanka Arora

Description

Have you ever noticed a tiny bird on a sandy beach constantly running away from an arriving wave and then chasing the same wave retreating into the ocean? Say hello to the Sanderling! Sanderlings are super fast runners that chase waves to feed on tiny crabs and crustaceans left in wet sand by receding waves. This perpetual scurry is what I wanted to capture in a picture but it was an uphill battle. Sanderlings make very fast turns and sudden movements with little to no pauses. And to line it perfectly in front of a crashing wave in just the right angle with just the right light took a lot of persistence. After days of trying, hours of lying face down on the sand with multiple elbow bruises and many failed shots ultimately it all came together to show this little Sanderling in a vibrant breeding plumage running away from a crashing wave. And true to its nature, just moments later it went running after the same wave.

Species

Sanderling in Breeding Plumage