shelling « verdure
shelling
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

It was too yucky on Saturday to go to the beach after Friday’s storm, but on Sunday it was pleasant enough, and the most deserted that we’ve seen Fort De Soto.

I take pictures of sea oats whenever I can.

They all look nearly identical to me, especially in winter plumage, but someone must be able to tell what kind of plover this is, since it has bands on its legs. Or maybe because of the bands on its legs.

A ruddy turnstone, munching on a decaying urchin.

Sandpipers (again, maybe Western, maybe Semipalmated, maybe even Sanderlings, though these seem darker than the winter Sanderling pictures I’ve found) hopping one footed away from us.

Cockle shell halves.

Pen shell in the surf, the largest of the common shells that get carried onto the beach, easily 6 inches long. They are iridescent inside, but not so pretty on the outside.

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6 responses to “shelling”

  1. I am also hoping away on one foot.

  2. I am not doing a good job of it.

  3. zanna says:

    You know what they say… practice, practice, practice.

    I do wonder if you would be more satisfied by walking, prancing or skipping instead. Though I can’t explain why sea birds like the one footed thing, so maybe I’m missing a great activity.

  4. I am afraid that prancing is out of the question, after the great prancing fire of 05.

    I think you are right, after a week of working at it, I am much better at hoping away on one foot, and let me tell you, this has been a life changer. I only have to buy one shoe, my socks now last twice as long, and I can use the other foot to hold cell phones and stuff. Its been amazing.

  5. Mike says:

    Birds typically stand on one foot to conserve heat. By having one foot tucked up into their feathers, they cut their heat loss significantly. Since most of their body save their feet is covered by feathers, their feet are a major source of convective loss off the exposed skin.

    It’s even worse, of course, if they are standing in water, which leeches heat approximately 11 times faster than air of the same temperature.

  6. I too have drastically cut my heat loss by doing this as well. If I carry my dog with me, then I have a fur coat. And this is excellent insulation.

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