Purple Sandpiper
© Ron Bradley
Published:
December 19, 2011
Purple Sandpipers are seen in winter along the Atlantic coast from South Carolina to Newfoundland and in smaller numbers along the shores of several of the Great Lakes. They rarely turn up inland.
That's why this bird was big news. It was spotted at
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area in central Illinois in late November 2011. It foraged among algae-covered rocks near a boat ramp, allowing great views for the birders who saw it. Ron Bradley took this photo of the dapper sandpiper with his Canon EOS 50D and 400mm lens and posted it to our
Rarities Gallery.
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