One-Legged Redshank and other birds

It was another fine morning, though this time the decent weather stayed around for most of the day. I'd had an early start and took these shots while the sun was still low. It's a redshank, most easily identified by it's bright orange/red legs, except this one is a one-legged example. I've no idea how it lost its leg, but it was managing well enough. And no, the other leg wasn't tucked up underneath it.

There were plenty of other birds to see as well. Some cormorants were relaxing in the distance (no shots of them today), and the Canada geese were putting on a display of formation flying, which is always well worth pausing to watch.

Another species that is good at formation flight is the starling. This doesn't count as a classic 'murmuration' shot, but it was the best I could manage with just a few starlings who weren't bothering to fly more than a handful of yards from one feeding spot to the next.

The starlings were definitely at the small end of the scale. In no particular order I also saw…

A swan:

A heron:

And a little egret:

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Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. derWandersmann

    30 Nov 2012

    All in all, a fine morning, indeed.
    The adaptability of animals to handicaps never ceases to amaze me. Of course, birds especially seem to spend quite a lot of time on one leg.

  2. gdare

    1 Dec 2012

    Canada geese 😀

    :eyes:

    OMG, they are coming back to Canada :yikes: :insane:

  3. derWandersmann

    2 Dec 2012

    Yes, but we use "gizmos".

  4. serola

    2 Dec 2012

    Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    The adaptability of animals to handicaps never ceases to amaze me.

    +1 But so does we "human animals" 😀

  5. Words

    2 Dec 2012

    dW, gizmos and grit to be fair.

  6. Words

    2 Dec 2012

    dW, gizmos and grit to be fair.

  7. Words

    2 Dec 2012

    Darko, they're coming home

  8. Words

    2 Dec 2012

    dW, lots of birds do fine on one-leg, but it must be a bit more awkward for a wader.

  9. Words

    2 Dec 2012

    Sami, very true.

  10. derWandersmann

    2 Dec 2012

    Odd … the definition seems to have changed since I learned it: "A product of a technological society that can be used in non-technological areas." The simplest examples given were usually things like an axe, a knife, matches, and even firearms, in a limited sort of way (firearms are dependent upon a reliable source of propellant).

    Thus, for a one-legged person, a crutch or cane.

  11. serola

    3 Dec 2012

    Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Odd … the definition seems to have changed since I learned it: "A product of a technological society that can be used in non-technological areas." The simplest examples given were usually things like an axe, a knife, matches, and even firearms, in a limited sort of way (firearms are dependent upon a reliable source of propellant).

    Thus, for a one-legged person, a crutch or cane.

    I tried to find a picture for you where a man without legs rolls around in a box with wheels 😀

    EDIT: And found http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/jca0022l.jpg

  12. serola

    4 Dec 2012

    Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Yes, but we use "gizmos".

    Okay, I have to admit that :eyes: http://youtu.be/Voko3hKE-JY

    EDIT: Besides there is again some sort of meme thing going on. I didn't even looked for this example but found it by accident on Google+ circles.

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