A Dunlin (calidris alpina) in an attractive setting – click to view in full size.

The family holidays were spent on Anholt, small island in Kattegat. The island is a stopover for party-craving socialites from the capital as well as for migrating waders, and both seem to get exactly what they come for – inebriation and sex for the former, nourishment and rest for the latter. The rest of us just enjoy the crystal-clear water and the great beaches, plus a spot of bird photography for anyone thus inclined.

These birds, who are all close relatives and mostly Arctic breeders, were hanging at a little inlet, filling their fat depots and changing clothes. I was happy to catch them all still in full breeding plumage, in just a few weeks they’ll be quite a bit less flamboyant-looking.

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Click on the first image to open the gallery, and remember that it is possible to view each photo in full-size too, by scrolling down to the link in the right-hand box beneath the image and clicking “View full-size image”.

The secret to getting attractive images of waders is to get low, and get them in nice light.

These images were all shot lying flat on my belly on the beach. It probably isn’t great for the equipment but it makes for attractive bird shots.

Getting a little contrasting colour into the frame is always a bonus.

The contrast can be vegetation, another bird, or something else entirely. Here, the Little Stint (calidris minuta) is foraging together with the much larger Knot (calidris canuta), both in their finest livery.

Knot

Knot

Knot

Knot

Little Stint

Little Stint