All photographs ©2004-2007 by Mary Beth Stowe
Shorebirds
Killdeer distraction display at El Capitan Reservoir
Breeding-plumaged Willet at the Flood Control Channel
This Stilt Sandpiper showed up in Famosa Slough in February of 2006; in the three left-hand pictures, notice the size difference between the smaller and slimmer Stilt and the larger dowitchers. In the two right-hand pictures you can make out the slightly droopy bill.
Both species of dowitchers were at Famosa Slough that day; the more speckled breast and paler flanks on these birds seem to point toward Short-billed.
Black-necked Stilts live dangerously at the Salton Sea as they place their nests in the middle of the dikes!
Inquisitive American Avocet at the Salton Sea
Both species of curlews (Whimbrel and Long-billed) together at the Dairy Mart Sod Farms
Sporadically-occurring Black Oystercatchers at the Tidepool area of Cabrillo National Monument
Two Whimbrels join a Heermann's Gull at Mugu State Beach (Ventura Co.)
Somewhat backlit Willets at Huntington State Beach, Orange Co.
Two potentially confusing species pose side by side (shy Spotted Sandpiper left, and Wandering Tattler right) at the Tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument. Seen alone, a very gray Spotty can sometimes be mistaken for a tattler, as they both bob.
Western and Least Sandpipers side-by-side at Carlsbad, showing the differences in size, leg color, and breast patterning.