Dunlin

About 100 Dunlin standing on the shore in one large group, some on the beach, some in the water. Almost all have their bills along their back in a sleeping position.
Dunlin, Parker River NWR, Plum Island, MA, January 11, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1000; f/11; 1/800 sec.

This page is for the Dunlin (Calidris alpina). These little guys, when not sleeping as in my first photo of them, run around a lot. They are a bit difficult to get close to in order to get a decent shot, so my best shot is of them en masse. On a subsequent trip where Dunlin were present, the bird was sitting with a group of Willet plus a Marbled Godwit thrown in for good measure. The Dunlin is definitely the smallest bird there.

Dunlin standing in the water at the edge of an oyster bed with several Willets and a Marbled Godwit nearby.
Dunlin, Port Aransas, TX, February 23, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/10; 1/1000 sec.