Bolder

I don't have a new lens, I didn't commando crawl along the sand to creep up on the bird; and yet the detail in the shot is enough to see the fine brush strokes of small, water tight feathers crowning the head and neck. The bird was close, but a few feet away. Either this is a new intimidation tactic or he's getting much, much bolder. I'll be sleeping with one eye open from now on.

Nemesis

Anyone who read the post Mexican Stand Off a few weeks back will have noted the somewhat creepy stare down from one of the beach locals. Seeing it once was just an interesting observation. Today he was back and stationed at the North end of the beach to try a new tactic, the low swoop into air brake and skate over the top of the head routine. Adding a perfectly pitched and timed screech on the upswing to maximise effect. I think diplomats would call this an escalation.

Mexican Stand Off

Am I the only one who finds this type of behaviour from birds creepy? Zoom in and check how focused those eyes are. It felt like it was dissecting my soul. Hitchcock was right.