Oystercatcher by the sea

This American Oystercatcher was foraging along the top of the hill leading down the the Atlantic Ocean at Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY.

Comments and suggestions welcome,

Morris

I am not sure you need any suggestions. Very Nice!! The soft out of focus background really sets off the birds. You must have gotten pretty low so the view is on the bird’s level.

Thank you,

The first was shot standing behind my tripod and the second kneeling. 500mm tends to flatten things out.

Morris

Beautiful shots Morris. Lovely detail and color. The Oystercatchers have such a distinct sound that I can hear it through your images. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Nice shots Morris.
I don't live by the sea, and hadn't seen (or more likely hadn't noticed) oystercatchers before.
On my recent trip to New Zealand, I was looking for birds and saw both the:

South Island Oystercatcher (which looks a lot like your American Oystercatcher to me), and the:

Variable Oystercatcher - which looks similar but is all black.

I wonder if the American and South Island are actually different species of Oystercatcher, or, just local names for the same species?
I'll have to check Merlin.