The first three photos are of Black-bellied Plovers.
Black-bellied Plover looking at you (while a Willet refuses to)
Black-bellied Plovers are the largest and heaviest of the North American plovers. They are also the hardiest, breeding farthest north, all the way to the very top of the world.
After breeding season is over, the Black-bellied Plovers we see migrate down through Canada and the U.S. to their wintering grounds in the Caribbean and northern South America.
These here have already flown thousands of miles and still have a ways to go!
Black-bellied Plovers
Black-bellied Plovers
The next two photos are of another more familiar plover, the Killdeer.
Killdeer
Killdeer are found across much of the U.S. and Canada. Killdeer are graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and parking lots.
Killdeer
A secret! I photographed the above Killdeer standing in a puddle of water in a marina parking lot. 😉
