Reifel was the destination this afternoon. There was not much happening on the inside trails except for a Great Horned Owl. While nice to see, it was not in a good spot for photos. So I made may way to the outside ponds with shore birds being more prevalent these days. There was a flock of Western Sandpipers present, but too far off.
A couple of Killdeer were in a little closer,
… and provided a couple of photo ops. There were both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs,
… with this group of Greater Yellowlegs catching an afternoon nap.
Then a small group of Semipalmated Sandpipers showed up.
A couple of them coming close enough for some shots. Long-billed Dowitchers were the only other shore bird species observed. While watching the sandpipers the resident Sandhill Crane family made an appearance.
They worked their along the outer ponds with the adults taking to short flights,
… but junior is not quite there yet.
The juvenile has certainly grown since my last photos.
It will not be long before this one is flying.