digging for pipis
Late afternoon on the beach, low tide, perfect for clam/pipi/beachworm hunting birds like the Pied Oystercatcher. Here she is digging with her long bill …
eating
and here she is eating! I sat on the damp beach, watching the birds, in awe at their grace and beauty. Half a dozen Red-capped Plovers ran about too, in their marvellous stop-start way, adding to the carnival atmosphere (photos tomorrow). The Pied Oystercatchers left their trail along the sand, footmarks and empty shells showing where they had already feasted!
Walking back towards our end I was struck by the stripes of dark and light as water drained towards the sea. Brilliant afternoon sunlight lit the birds. Perfect! And when you are tired, just stand on one leg and rest 🙂
If you dig pipis too you like this recipe or simply check out what the Sydney Fish Market says about them.
dadirridreaming 
I dig pipis, but not to eat. My Dad is a fisherman, and taught me to wriggle my feet into the sand to search for them from an early age. It’s a habit I haven’t lost. I have a great memory of sharing a beach north of Broome with just the G.O. and a pair oyster catchers 🙂
I would love to remember who taught me to wiggle my feet from side to side to unearth those pipis! It feels great, I am sure the feet love it, and pipis do appear! Perhaps it was Stuart …. he fished as a child so probably learnt those tricks 🙂
I love to think I might wiggle enough pippies out of the sand to have for dinner … or do the oystercatchers beat you to them?
we tried once but they were too gritty …. I think you need to soak them in fresh water but we did not do that … must try again some day if the birds have left us enough! (S does not like shellfish and he is the chef around here!)
Of course, like Mussels! I must remember, if I ever manage to collect a couple of handfuls 🙂
Wonderful captures of the oystercatchers 🙂
Great photos, Christine. I love to see those little birdie footprints in the sand. 🙂
I think I’ll leave the pippies to the birdies! 🙂
good idea, they are the experts!
Once again lovely photos that make me want to go traveling again. 🙂
let me know if you are coming this way charles!
quanto sei brava Cristina…mi è sembrato di essere lì sulla spiaggia a guardare quelle piccole orme e il saltellare degli uccelli
quanto sei brava Cristina … it seemed to be there on the beach watching those little footprints and bird hopping
Lovely way to spend the day and a great photo op.