[TN-Bird] More ruff stuff - photos

Douglas Lake elevation: 982.4 ft.

We had the next-to-last Rankin shift today, after David Kirschke, the Estes', others mentioned, and ahead of Chris Welch.  MS  also managed to get a few photos of the female ruff, or "reeve"; the one included here shows a killdeer for size comparison;  more ruff images (with lesser yellowlegs & with least sandpiper) are in  a pBase gallery.  Links:

  http://www.pbase.com/image/137619168/original

  http://www.pbase.com/sylvafoto/image/137619207

  http://www.pbase.com/sylvafoto/image/137619212

Also photographed the American Golden Plover (i.d. confirmed by white wingpits seen in flight)

  http://www.pbase.com/sylvafoto/image/137619050

Stilt Sandpiper

  http://www.pbase.com/sylvafoto/image/137619166

Wilson's Phalarope (one of two seen)

  http://www.pbase.com/sylvafoto/image/137619215

and Short-billed Dowitcher

  http://www.pbase.com/sylvafoto/image/137619239

Still using the backup camera, so the photos could be better.

Also seen by us, but not mentioned in today's other reports: 

Northern Shoveler (4)

Blue-winged Teal (8)

White Ibis (5 juv.)

  

Killdeer & Reeve

Also, we want to mention that we watched a kayaker approaching a  crowd of shorebirds at the south end with wide white paddles waving.  The birds suddenly left en masse for the other end of the embayment, confirming the observation of others that flailing kayak paddles are apt to spook the most cooperative of windbirds.  A canoe paddle could be an option.

Finally, we want to thank Rick Knight for spotting the ruff and spreading the word.

Michael Sledjeski & Leslie Gibbens