All year along the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and extreme south California. Summer nesting and migration throughout most of the west, except Washington state. Winters in the US, only in the California Sacramento and San Joaquin valley, extreme south California and along the Colorado river in California and Arizona.

Seen in freshwater marsh in the west, salt or brackish marsh along the Gulf. Often feeds in groups, preying on aquatic animals, especially crayfish.

Glossy overall but often looks black. Breeding birds have bright chestnut body, white feathers bordering pinkish red facial skin. Winter birds are heavily streaked on head and neck. Adults have red eyes. Immature have brown eyes and plumage lacks gloss until second year.

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