Tags
Last week I went to Forstecue, NJ to see Horseshoe Crabs come ashore for their annual mating. The weather was cool and the tide high which may explain why there were not many Horseshoe Crabs to be seen. However, the birds were very busy feasting on the crabs’ eggs.
Shore birds eating eggs. A female Horseshoe Crab was surrounded by three males in photo center.
As usual some Horseshoe Crabs were upended and helpless on the beach.
Horseshoe Crab laying on his back.
Upended Horseshoe Crabs.
Birds eating Horseshoe Crab eggs at Fortescue, NJ.
Boat-tailed Grackle watching the feast.
Boat-tailed Grackle taking off.
Ruddy Turnstone flying away from beach.
neihtn 
Reminds me of growing up watching “Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom” as a child! Yes this dates me a bit! Struggle of nature to survive and begin again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting, Robert! I became aware of Horsehoe Crabs only in the past 7 years, and they are fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That Ruddy Turnstone looks like a interesting bird. Do you see a lot of them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do see a lot of Ruddy Turnstones in the Spring.
LikeLike
That must be quite the spectacle to see in person, with that many birds gathered for the feast. All your images were excellent, but a special shout out for the ruddy turnstone in flight!
LikeLike
Thank you Jerry! The only birds I did not see in large number this year are the Red Knots, and I wonder if the rainy and cooler weather was a factor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could be, I don’t know about your location, but the bird migration seems to be late this spring, and I think that’s because the trees and flowers are late.
LikeLike
Oh the cycle of life and death in action. The birds were having a good feed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The birds were eating the eggs as if they could never get enough of them. Yet, somehow some eggs survived to create newer generations of Horseshoe Crabs.
LikeLike
The birds surely are making the best of the short-lived bounty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do, and nature somehow has a way of balancing the survival of both crabs and birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s only us humans that can and do throw nature’s scales off balance…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A huge boon for returning migrant birds, not so good for the crabs. It must be quite the feeding frenzy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a feeding frency, with the birds totally forgetting about the throngs of people who come and watch them eat their “caviar”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing any eggs survive the feasting! Great photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, Katelon. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, never have seen this before. Great shots but a bit sad as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lot of birds depend on those eggs to get energy for their Spring migration, but those Horseshoe Crabs keep on living as they have for 450 million years!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, so it is a good thing. Thanks. 😊
LikeLike
I love to see low tide artwork of the horseshoe crab. They are prehistoric creatures that help sustain our wildlife. https://noelliesplace.com/2018/04/29/wandering-art/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post on Horseshoe Crab artwork is most interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic spectacle, great photos Hien. I have been to that area and seen the horseshoe crabs on the beach, and was amazed at how huge they are. You did a great job of demonstrating that here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jet, and it is indeed a fantastic spectacle. I only knew about it for the past several years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What wonderful shots of exciting moments!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Takami! It is exciting to watch these creatures in their mating rituals.
LikeLike
amazing….I’ve wanted to do this. Your vicarious experience is wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Horseshoe crabs only come ashore once a year, so plan accordingly. South Jersey has a Horseshoe Crab festival for the occasion, but I just go by myself whenever it is close to full moon in May.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know, Hien.
LikeLike