Thursday, June 2, 2011

Shorebirds


Long Billed Curlews were like mythical creatures to me when I was living in Massachusetts.
Oh, how I longed to see one.


Luckily I've been able to see Wonderful Whimbrels, as Curlews have eluded me.


Until now! 
I saw about six or seven of these near Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Princeton, OR.
Curlews are even bigger than Whimbrels, and have longer bills.

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Here are some other neat shorebirds for your enjoyment:


American Avocet.  Blue Legs!



Least Sandpiper.  Tiny.  Green Legs.



Western Sandpiper.  Tiny.  Black Legs.


Black Neck Stilt.  Awesome.



Solitary Sandpiper.  Understated.  Very pretty.


"Pil-Wil-Western-Willet!"


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Stilt, Avocet and Curlew are the three shorebirds I was dying to see in Oregon. 
I guess I can go home now!