When I last was at Long Beach, bird migration was well underway. I’d forgotten to pack my Panasonic Lumix, so the photos in this post are from my iPhone 8. Though I could not get clear photographs of the birds, I love the textural quality in many of these images.
Soon after I spotted this Western Gull standing out like a sentry in the surf, a small flock of Dunlins streaked by…
…some landed.
Then, a pair of Marbled Godwits alighted standing out farther up the beach. Cautiously, they made their way from tide’s edge toward the Gull.
Being able to judge their size, relative to the Gull and Dunlins, helped me identify the Marbled Godwits. (Another first siting for me!) Though they blend in as shorebirds, they stand out with their color, long bill and behavior.
Snowy Plovers nest about ten miles (16 km) north of this stretch on Long Beach. It was a lucky accident that I stumbled upon this flock where males, females and immatures blend together on the afternoon high tide mudflat.
As I was getting my coffee ready to take on our morning walk, Jello belted out a guttural growl and started baying like a maniac at the glass patio door. Because it blended in so well in the meadow, I had a hard time seeing what was stirring her up. Do you see it?
I waited a while after this coyote moved beyond our path to the beach, however Jello’s nose was extremely active as she sniffed throughout the underbrush where it had been!
Speaking of Jello, her coloring allows her to blend into many environments. At the end of our dog park walk, I sat on a bench and Jello settled in front of me to enjoy the mild afternoon.
How big is this nest?
On its own, this could be “any old egg.” In my hand it is clearly, “one big egg!” Found on the beach, the underside is broken where a Bald Eagle chick emerged.
