Ten Mile Beach, MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Co., California

This bird was found by Chuck Vaughn, George Chaniot, and Matthew Matthiessen feeding on amphipods in the seaweed washed up on the outer beach. It was very tame and approachable, and Matthew took these stunning pictures less than 10 feet from the bird, creeping up on his belly perilously close to the wave-wash zone. -- GEC

Photos © by Matthew Matthiessen