I had just walked down the waterfall ravine at Lake Park to search for a Louisiana Waterthrush, when I received a text from a friend. It said, “at Lakeshore State Park”. I assumed a photo was coming next. When it finally came through, I clicked on it and said to myself, “Wow, our second Purple Sandpiper of the year!” This one was different though. Instead of the usual adults in winter plumage, this was a hatch year bird! I had never seen one before, so I quickly made my way back to the truck and headed down the street to LSSP. It was on the south end of the park feeding on the rocks, near the water’s edge. It was kind of hidden and not a good angle to the sun, so I walked out onto the large rocks to the very edge. I still couldn’t see it from that angle, but just stood and waited, hoping it would come around the rock that was blocking it. After several minutes, it flew right towards me and looked like it was going to land on the rock I was standing on! It saw me and looped around, landing only 25′ away. It looked at me, trying to figure out what I was, since I wasn’t moving and wearing a bright green shirt. A few waves crashed on it and then it started feeding. I watched it at close range for about 5 minutes and then it flew back to the original rock it was on. Guess I was really lucky that day! Photos below are from 9/15. Enjoy!
