photo by Greg Hofmann

12/20/2004: A solitary Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) was spotted foraging at the north end of the footbridge levee in the South Marsh Loop Trail. The yellow legs and the prominent white shoulder patches are key marks for this bird (the spots on belly and face appear in mating season). Notice how its eye sockets are tilted to point slightly downward in the skull (compare the reflection), which makes looking for prey all the easier.