Oyster Catchers in Flight
Spring on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is full of sudden beauty, and this moment was no exception. As I drifted quietly past a small island near Wachapreague, a flock of American Oystercatchers flushed into the air — their black-and-white wings flashing in the soft morning light, their long orange bills slicing through the sky.

It was an unplanned moment, a sudden burst of motion and grace that caught me off guard. With my telephoto lens at the ready and a high shutter speed dialed in, I captured this fleeting scene — freezing the synchronized elegance of the flock mid-flight.

This photograph is more than just a portrait of birds in motion; it’s a celebration of wild rhythm and coastal vitality. There’s a freedom here, a quiet reminder of how nature often gifts us its most powerful moments when we least expect them.

Available in a variety of fine art sizes and finishes — a striking addition to coastal decor or any space that celebrates the untamed beauty of the Eastern Seaboard.

Bill Mish Photography