Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia)

This Spotted Sandpiper was making quite a racket when I was walking along the river shore the other day. I had gone searching to see if Cardinal flowers were in bloom and all of a sudden I heard. "Peep, peep, peep, peep". (sandpipers are often referred to as 'peeps')

Usually a sandpiper will fly away when approached but this one obviously had young nearby and was loudly warning them to stay where they were. At times it even got closer to me creating a better opportunity to take pictures.