Almost got fooled on this one. At first, I thought this was a Baird’s Sandpiper. The body looks almost spot-on. However, the range map didn’t match. Also, the legs on this bird seemed to be yellower. Could be the way the light is falling on the bird.

However, a closer look at similar species led me to the Least Sandpiper.

Nikon D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED II, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5, 1/400s

Before I started photographing birds, I didn’t pay much attention to them. However, after spending a few weeks at the Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area, I’ve come to appreciate the diversity of birds that call the baylands home.

Part of the fun is identifying the bird. I’ve been using the All About Birds guide from the Cornell Lab or Ornithology. This should be a Bonaparte’s Gull.

Nikon D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 IF-ED II, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5, 1/400s

The difficulty for a beginner is that two different looking birds could be the same species. On the bird below, its mottled head only contains a trace of black. Yet, it appears to be a Bonaparte’s Gull as well.

Nikon D800, AF-S VR Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 IF-ED II, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5, 1/400s

I have seen Brown Pelicans along the Half Moon Bay coast before. However, I never knew that I could drive a few minutes to the Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area in Mountain View to view American White Pelicans.

While pelicans can be graceful in flight…

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

They can also appear to be careening out of control on landing…

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 450, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

Then, there’s the wacky walk.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 400, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

A California Gull preparing to land at Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area.

D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 360, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

The Western Bluebird is King of the Blueberries. I thought the other birds were House Finches looking for a share of the spoils, but I was told (via flickr) that these are two juvenile bluebirds.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1600, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1400, 300mm, f/8, 1/1,250s

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 900, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250mm

The Black Skimmer is a gull that skims it lower bill along the water surface to catch small fish. Its lower bill is longer than its upper one.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

A flock of Black-Necked Stilt at Shoreline.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 200, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

This Black-Necked Stilt was looking for food with an American Avocet.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 160, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

I visited the Shoreline Regional Wildlife Area this morning. The weather was cool and overcast. So, nothing but gray water and skies. But, there were a lot of birds in the water.

All About Birds from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a helpful guide for identifying shorebirds. I got lucky with this one. The American Avocet was at the top of the list. Birds of a feather flock together.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 160, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/800s

Some ventured out on their own looking for a quick bite.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 360, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 300, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s

I also saw some American Avocet in flight.

Nikon D800, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 320, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/1,250s