Seen all year on coasts of California, extreme south Oregon and south Texas; seen through most of the southwest during summer nesting; seen also throughout the Gulf coast and Atlantic up to Chesapeake Bay. Seen during migratory season throughout the southwest.

Feeds in still waters, singly or in groups; picking insects from surface and probing in the bottom mud. In the East, prefers salt or brackish waters, but fresh or alkaline in the West.

Long red slender legs; needle-like straight bill; bold black and white pattern. Female is brownish above. Juvenile is like female but with buff feather edges.

Up very early and drive to the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northern California for another day of photographing the unbelievable number of birds here as well as the vast quantity of different types.

Leaving Santa Ana NWR and heading downriver and inland just a short distance, I find my next birding stop, Estero Llano Grande state park. Here, I first come to a visitors center with a large covered viewing deck and after looking through the displays inside, I head out onto the foot paths.