Ever since I first saw its picture I dreamed of seeing this remarkable bird, the Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus. Now that I live in Southern California I see them all the time. The 6000 series photographs were taken at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, CA. The 7000 series photos were taken in November at the Huntington Beach Back Bay Estuary, CA.
Its ultra long bill was a tribute to Darwinian Natural Selection, giving it great advantage in getting creatures buried deep in the mud as shown in photo 1883. When resting they tuck their long bill into the feathers of their back and get some shut eye (6543). Photo 6596 shows a close up of its marvelous bill.