bath time !

[SmartWombat]

Not sure what this is, too many of these waders look the same to me
Not a semipalmated sandpiper, legs aren't black.
Not a solitary sandpiper, no eye ring.
Not a spotted sandpiper, the bill is black, not yellow.
Not a western sandpiper, legs aren't black.

[Canon_Bob]

Looks like a Dunlin to me. They are tough, though. The really bad part is that some of them have up to four different plumages depending on the time of year! I know many folks who can't ID a winter plumage Black Bellied Plover, and they live here year round!

[SmartWombat]

We have them here, I thought the Dunlin had a longer bill?
This bill is about head length, not curved like our UK Dunlin.
Dunlin has black legs in my illustration too, are they variable colour?
The sort of dun yellow legs don't seem to match descriptions.

Whatever it is, that's one more to the species list.

[Canon_Bob]

The Dunlin here have curved bill as well. I'll see if I can ID it out of my bird book. Paul may chime in as well. BTW - Fort Desoto is one of my regular spots! I'm only an hour and a half away in Fort Myers. Next time you go, just PM me in advance and I'll guide you around.

[SmartWombat]

Thanks, Bob!
Should have thought more about the trip - like asking the experts here in N&W, I think it's a "doh" moment.
I was sorting out the pitlane photos from the St Pete race, and didn't put enough planning into the bird expedition.

[lionman]

wow beautifull action shot there impressive taking off from water shots are ace but extremly hard for me anyway dunno why but they always turn out blurred