I find that Spotted sandpipers are easier to find in August than in July, but it is unlikely that any one of them will still feature spots, but instead display a plain white breast and belly. I've also noticed that it is
far easier to photograph a Spotted (sans spots) when one is exploring the irrisistible shadow-land between the boulders of a rocky shoreline, than when I encounter one on a beachfront. On an open expanse this bird doesn't want any part of me. When I encounter a Spotted on a beach it will immediately relocate from its preferred spot when it spots me approaching from a considerable distance towards its chosen spot, and I must add that I've never used the word "spot" that many times in one sentence. That kind of behaviour is what I call a spot of skittishness taken to an exponent. There is an exception though. If there are other shorebirds around, species that are very much more tolerant of people, then even a skittish Spotted will act like all the other birds. It might display selective tolerance. Although remaining motionless and sandy is still a prerequisite. By contrast, when among the rocks I've had a Spotted approach almost close enough to discern my shoe size, provided that I don't remove my shoe to validate. In August, a few Spotted sandpipers might still keep some few spots as memento. A Spotted comes across as manic compared to most other shore birds, although Sanderling are even more extreme, often seen to run back and forth on a beach in synchrony with the reciprocating water line and it doesn't get more dynamic than that. When a Spotted is on a beach it may be already receding by the time I get my lens on it. Makes me think of the
Flash. When on the rocks I have all the time in the world.
