Sep
6
Unfortunately I was not with the group on July 10 when they stopped at Michigan City. Apparently, they did not see much until Jeff McCoy walked out on the base of the lighthouse and saw a large mass of birds on the beach to the east. That mass took flight and proved to consist of an astounding 358 willets, 13 marbled godwits (can you find them in the picture?) and three dowitchers. Ken Brock sent me the picture weeks ago (taken by John Cassady), but I could not open it. He resent it and I opened it but could not transfer it to the blog. I was stuck there for awhile but eventually a version arrived that could be shared with you the reader. I think it is a great shot. (The picture as taken by John is clearer than what is reproduced here.)
Willets looks like ordinary shorebirds until they fly and we see the black and white patterns in their wings