Clam Before the Storm

During the colder winter months, Black Oystercatchers will gather in groups along the rocky shores of British Columbia's rocky coast to loaf, feed, and keep safe from predators. While enjoying the Sunshine Coast last winter, I noticed the largest assembly of Black Oystercatchers I had ever seen relaxing only a few metres off the ocean-hugging highway. After parking my car and bundling up, I walked slowly down to the beach where I lay down in the rocks for a while observing and photographing these large and gregarious shorebirds. This individual found a clam and was doing its darnedest to give me a menacing look that says "this is my clam, you stay back!" - little did this Oystercatcher know I don't even like shellfish...