Photo of the Week – Willet

The Willet (Tringa semipalmata) is the largest of the sandpipers and a seemingly endless source of energy. This photo was taken along the Florida Panhandle near my families cottage. We had traded our cool rainy weather for heat, humidity and emerald green water. While I was kicked back on the lounger enjoying the sun, all I had to do was watch the parade of birds run endlessly up and down the shoreline foraging for food.

The most striking attribute, besides it’s size, is the loud call which the bird is named for. What I found most amazing was the speed in which he could probe for the insect, crustaceans and marine worms that mainly make up it’s diet. It was exhausting just watching.