Photo of the Month – September 2014

Red-necked Phalarope

I was guiding a group of travel agents last Sunday and we were dolphin watching at the Tanon Strait. The Spotted Dolphins were shy but the bigger group of Spinner Dolphins performed  aerial acrobatics. It was a very memorable moment and my video captured the oohs and aahs of my guests spellbound by the rare spectacle. But I had an added bonus, a flock of Red-necked Phalaropes alighted on the water just 10 meters from our almost stationary boat and began to swim in a small circle forming a whirlpool. And then they began to feed. Only later did I find out that they do this on purpose. The whirlpool effect brings the food up to the surface and they pluck whatever small fish or crustacean caught up in the vortex. I learned another tidbit of knowledge that day and may we learn more as we share our images and experiences.

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