Calidris alba, 24 August 2013

Calidris alba, the Sanderling;
Volusia county, Florida (24 August 2013).

The Sanderling is a ubiquitous feature of life-on-the-beach as I know it. These tiny little birds are always speed-walking along the edge of crashing waves. As the waves roll in, they scuttle just ahead of the water. As the waves recede, they chase them back down — all the while looking for stuff to eat. Yeah, Sanderlings are far more active on a beach than I am. I’m lazy. They’re active. Seriously active.