I saw this small flock of Ruddy Turnstones hunkered down on the coast. They were facing into the wind and mostly preening or resting until they, all of a sudden, took to the air and disappeared.
Ruddy Turnstones on the coast
Graham's Island
Life on the Big Island of Hawaii
Graham's Island 
I enjoyed these pics of such beautifully marked birds and the one of them in flight is impressive! Yes they do tend to take off all of a sudden – usually before one has been able to photograph them. I had thought the name was something to do with their colour, but perhaps it derives from disappointed photographers muttering about those “ruddy turnstones” as they suddenly take off?
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I thought the name came from their legs, though they’re really more orange than red, but I like your idea better!
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😏
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I saw some a while back and yes just there, managed a crap photo or two as they were a distance away and suddenly they all flew off at once at a great speed
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They do have a tendency to go from zero to 60 rather quickly!
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