This species of Plover has been nearly wiped out of the Great Lakes region and is listed as endangered. Efforts are well underway to save them and their numbers are showing signs of increasing again. They nest on beaches which make them susceptible to disturbance (or worse). This particular bird was migrating when he stopped in at the Conneaut Sand Spit. I was in the mud on my belly and this bird nearly walked over my lens. He was far too close to photograph at times which was a pretty extraordinary encounter with such a rare bird.
This woodchuck was just a youngster when he came out of his hole and let me photograph him.
A Prairie Warbler perched on a stick in Hillman State Park, Pennsylvania. This is one of my favorite warbler species, but then again, most of them are my favorites!
