THIS FEMALE SANDPIPER IS DISPLAYING THE "INJURED BIRD" BEHAVIOR IN A ATTEMPT TO DRAW THE PHOTOGRAPHER AWAY FROM THE AREA WHERE SEVERAL OF IT'S CHICKS ARE HIDDEN.

THE ARCHED BACK, DROOPING TAIL, DRAGGING WINGS, RUFFLED FEATHERS AND PATHETIC CRIES ARE ALL DESIGNED TO TRICK A PREDATOR INTO CHASING HER.
AT THE LAST INSTANT THE SEEMING EASY PREY WILL FLY JUST OUT OF REACH AND REPEAT THE PERFORMANCE UNTIL SHE IS SATISFIED THAT THE THREAT IS DISTANT ENOUGH TO ALLOW HER TO RETURN TO HER CHICKS.