Most all of the Continent except, not seen in Alaska, Yukon, NW territories and northern tundra. Seen during winter in the south, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, California, and Nevada. Seen during summer in western half of continent. Seen year round in California and Oregon. See in rest of continent during migration.

Seen during summer on freshwater marshes. Seen in winter in flocks on bays, large lakes, and marshes.

Chunky body, sloping forehead, broad bill, thick neck, long tail. In summer, mail has blue bill, white cheek, chestnut body. In winter, mail has dark gray bill, gray-brown body, and dark cap. Female and immature are like winter male but cheek is gray with dusky horizontal strip through center.

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

Up to get coffee and WiFi. Then I study for the morning meeting and later arrive at nine. After the meeting, when talking with a brother named Jordan, he tells me that he takes wildlife photos and that this area is a Flyway for the birds.

Soon after, I drive to the Klamath Basin refuge, change clothes and then begin taking photos of the many different birds. I am so impressed with this Flyway, as much as the Rio Grande Valley and end up getting photos of several birds I have never seen before. I will have to sort through my photos real soon to determine the actual count of new birds.