It’s probably good for the ego to have “great” in your name, like Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets. Hopefully this little bird’s self-esteem is not damaged by being called a Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla). I spotted this diminutive beauty last week at Huntley Meadows Park before the start of all of the recent rain. The extremely dry weather had made the water very shallow in some portions of the marsh and had attracted tiny shore birds like this one.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nicely done shot
Least but still pretty handsome.
Very dainty. I find sandpipers really hard to identify… so many different types!
This is supposed to be the absolutely smallest one and is distinguished by its yellow legs and slightly curved bill. I was fortunate to be able to capture enough details to help with the id.
Sweet photo. I love sandpipers. It’s those plump little bodies with the narrow bills and spindly legs that makes me adore them.
What a great shot!
I love watching these little birds running along the shore. Their erratic paths makes me laugh every time.