It is 2:30 a.m. Through our barely open bedroom window, the reassuring rumble of Pacific Ocean high-tide lulls me back to sleep. At 7:30, Jello puts her nose on my pillow to awaken me. While she has her breakfast, I make a to-go mug of cafe au lait d’amande, and, rain or shine, we head out. 
Canada goose flocks are flying over regularly on their way north. First I hear them…
then they are above me…
and they fade away.
Every beach jaunt provides different variations on the scene; low vs high tide, windy or not, overcast, misty or blue skies, and then there are the birds.
Above, the tide was extremely low and the sky overcast. Do you see Jello? She provides a sense of how “far out” this tide is!
On this heavy mist and strong wind morning, the tide is churning closer. A resident pair of mature Bald Eagles are perched on the drift wood snag. When it’s wet, I leave my Panasonic LUMIX home, so this was captured with my iPhone.
On a clear, mild morning walk, I was able to capture shots of Black-bellied Plovers in full mating plumage.
Plovers, Sanderling, Sandpipers and Dunlin mingle together as they migrate. Sometimes there are flocks of fifty to a hundred working the edge of the shoreline, and flying full pelt just above it.
Returning through the dwindling marshes, the Killdeer adults divert to protect their young.
If you look closely, in the middle of all that grass above, you will see a tiny Killdeer fledgling. Below the Mallard family paddles to safety.
All around the grounds, young apple trees are blooming.
While I take in their beauty, Jello munches on some delicious greens. Our morning isn’t over, but the day has started just right!
Wishing everyone safe harbor as we navigate uncharted waters.
Thank you Anne Christine for a chance to wish everyone “top of the morning!”
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2020/04/18/lens-artists-photo-challenge-93-morning/
Reducing left and right borders brings the hen’s eye in line with the right vertical axis, so she seems to be looking at us.
With small subjects like this, I’ve learned less zoom with the camera gives me more leeway when I crop. `
Lindy Low LeCoq 