Adult American Avocet in its breeding plumageAdult American Avocet in its breeding plumage – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/3200, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Three days ago I saw my first of the season American Avocets flying over the causeway to Antelope Island State Park and I let out a gleeful “whoop”! There were four of them flying quickly towards the south and not one of them made a sound. Soon there will be thousands of American Avocets lining the shoreline of the causeway and the other locations in the Great Salt Lake ecosystem that appeals to them.

This American Avocet above is in breeding plumage, I photographed it on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route in April of 2012. There is plenty for the avocets to eat at the refuge and there are brine flies and brine shrimp to dine on in the Great Salt Lake.

These elegant shore birds always delight me but truthfully shorebirds always do.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Avocet photos plus facts and information on this species.