Red-Necked Avocet

Until today I had only ever seen one or two Avocets and they were always too far off to get sharp photos.  Today I was lucky!!  I waded out to a sandbar to take photos of pelicans.  I was heading back when I saw a flock of birds coming toward me.  I didn't recognise the flight pattern so wasn't sure what they were.  I clicked away and later loaded the photos onto the computer and googled!!  They were Red Necked Avocets, weird little birds with bent beaks and rich red brown coloring which had caught the sun.  Very beautiful and unusual, at least for me!!  For some reason, I think of Spoonbills as lone Unicorns.  I guess because they are so strange............ and now these birds, vivid faery unicorns in packs!!  The world is truly a wonderful place!! Here are a couple of my shots.