Now that I'm no longer living in a coastal area, I'm missing my shorebirds a lot. So I decided to take a little trip down memory lane to remind myself what some of these beauties look like. Care to join me?
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| This is a Black-bellied Plover. Funny, its belly doesn't look black . . . because it's in its summer dress. Just wait for winter, when it will show off its impressive black belly. |
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| A Greater Yellowlegs takes a stroll looking for tasty morsels. |
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| A Long-billed Curlew forages in shallow water, showing off its amazing curved bill. I love the way this photo captures the two-toned water color of the late afternoon sun. |
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| A Western Grebe motors around the harbor at a local marina. The boaters are used to seeing these lovely, slender birds as they dive for food and hang around the docks. |
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| A pair of White-faced Ibises, and though not the best photo, wonderful to see with their long, slender bills as they forage in local waterways. |
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| An American Avocet just coming into its breeding plumage. The cinnamon color will get deeper and darker as the summer progresses until it peaks and begins fading back to its winter black and white colors. |
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| In case you can't recall which is the Great Egret and which is the Snowy, here's your clue as to why one is called the Great Egret. |
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| This young beauty was a life bird for me right off the fishing pier by the Golden Gate Bridge where it zigged and zagged with astonishing speed chasing fish just below the surface of the water. It was a moment I'll never forget as it surfaced in front of me, tilting its head with a fish disappearing down its gullet in a flash not 6 feet in front of me on the pier. Amazing stuff. I've been away awhile and I hope to be back with a bit more regularity, but I'm still getting used to a new routine and it's a challenge. Best to all my birder friends and others who stop by for a look. I appreciate your visit and hope you'll say hi after I've been gone so long. Best to you and yours and do say hi if you have a moment! |
The Egret photo is great. It almost looks like the same bird flipped and photoshopped. I'm glad you got them both together. Where are you now?
ReplyDeletenellie
Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteNellie, just saw your lovely flower photos. Stunning! I am now a resident of Sacramento, CA.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Appreciate you stopping by & commenting!
ReplyDeleteMarvellous images! I missed you and hope you'll continue posting wildlife/bird photos from whereever you located to.
ReplyDeleteI envy you shorebird experts. Whenever I go to a coast, I struggle so with these guys.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your new home!
So many beautiful shorebird images, Jann! It's difficult to select a favorite. I never tire at viewing the American Avocets. They are such lovely birds. Stunning profile of the Western Grebe. Wishing you happiness at your new home in Sacramento. I guess you will now have to take trips to the coast to visit your favorite shorebirds. I hope you see a variety of different birds at your new location. Fantastic post! So glad your back!
ReplyDeleteJulie, thanks so much for your thoughtful comments, as always. Thank you for the kindness & best to you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Glad to see you posting again! Beautiful series of images.
ReplyDeleteTerrific series of photos! I have never seen a Snowy and a Great Egret side by side; your photo is eye-opening. Hope you are finding yourself in a good place after the move and am looking forward to new posts.
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