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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 28/10/2026

Two Great Blue Heron today, and a passing few Least Sandpipers for #BirdoftheDay #HeadsUp. Not sure if looking up at the sky was some ritual or just gives all round visibility. #Birds #eck 🪶

A photograph taken in San Rafael, California, shows two great blue herons (Ardea herodias) in a tidal marsh. One heron stands in the shallow water near the vegetated bank, looking up with its neck extended. The second heron is further out in the water, also looking up. A small flock of Least Sandpipers flies over the water between them

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 27/10/2026

A less usual Great Blue Heron shot for the #BirdoftheDay prompt of #Branched. #Birds #eck 🪶

A Great Blue Heron in a leafless tree, perched on a branch against a blue sky.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 26/10/2026

#SpottySpeckled is the Alt #BirdoftheDay theme, and my offering is this Black-bellied Plover in monochrome. #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 25/10/2026

#FightingFeathers is the Alt theme for #BirdoftheDay and the two American Coots re-enacting the fight scene from Bridget Jones Diary #Birds #eck 🪶

Two American Coots having a scrap in shallow water.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 24/10/2026

#LMNO IS THE #BirdoftheDay theme, and I'm Goin with the O for this Black Oystercatcher #Birds #eck 🪶

A Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) standing on one leg on a rocky shoreline in San Rafael, Marin County, California. This shorebird is identified by its entirely black plumage, bright orange-red bill, and yellow eye ring, which distinguish it from other shorebirds in the region

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 23/10/2026

For #BirdoftheDay I offer a #Juvenile Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) swims on a calm pond in San Rafael, Marin County, California. #Birds #eck 🪶

A juvenile Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) swims on a calm pond in San Rafael, Marin County, California. The young bird exhibits mottled brown and grey plumage, a pale yellowish-green bill, and a distinct white flank stripe, creating a clear reflection in the water.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 17/10/2026

One for #Dawn, the #BirdoftheDay theme, and a Merganser with early morning mist Li by the dawn light #Birds #eck

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 14/10/2026

My favourite #Shorebirds for #WaderWednesday and #BirdoftheDay - Least Sandpipers, or fun-size Sandpipers sounds better. #Birds #eck 🪶

A group of Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) resting on a rock near the water in Marin County, California. These small shorebirds are distinguished from the similar Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) by their yellowish-green legs and shorter, slightly decurved bills.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 14/10/2026

A Western Gull. Oh, and the Blue Angels getting in on the picture too. #Birds #eck 🪶

A formation of Blue Angels military jet aircraft flies through the clear sky over San Rafael, Marin County, California, accompanied by a Western Gull (Larus occidentalis).

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 13/10/2026

#LookingDown is the #BirdoftheDay theme, with an alt of #LookingUp. Terns are a good subject for looking down as they soar over the Bay and Harbour - an🪶 Elegant Tern looking down on the turn as it spies food. They have been very vocal this year and sure I've seen more than last year. #Birds #eck

An Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) in flight against a clear blue sky in San Rafael, Marin County, California. This species is distinguished from the similar Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) by its slimmer, more slender orange-yellow bill and more graceful, buoyant flight pattern.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 12/10/2026

#Brown is the #BirdoftheDay theme, and I offer up a Ridgeway's Rail, eyes to the sky on the lookout for a Raven that has been after the young ones. #Birds #eck 🪶

A close-up photograph taken in Novato, Marin County, California, shows a Ridgway's Rail (Rallus obsoletus) standing on dark, cracked mud. The bird is partially obscured by the dense, tangled stems of pickleweed (Salicornia pacifica). Its long, slightly decurved bill, rich brown plumage, and barred flanks are visible as it looks towards the sky.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 10/10/2026

Going for #Green - the #BirdoftheDay theme - and a Least Bittern hanging on to green cattail stalk, leaning over the surface of a green pond water. #Birds #eck 🪶

A Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (Ixobrychus exilis) is perched vertically on a green cattail stalk, leaning over the surface of a green pond. Its small, brown and buff body is angled downwards, with its long, pointed bill just above the water, creating small ripples. The background is a dense wall of similar cattail stalks.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 09/10/2026

Not literally #waders, but any bird wading was the description of the #BirdoftheDay theme, so here is a Great Egret, wading on a windy day. #Birds #eck 🪶

A photograph captures a Great Egret (Ardea alba) wading in the shallow, rippled water of a marshy area in San Rafael, California. The large, white bird is walking from right to left, with its long neck extended and yellow bill pointed forward. Its dark legs and feet are visible beneath the water's surface. The foreground features green, mossy vegetation on the bank.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 08/10/2026

#Eating is the #BirdoftheDay alt theme (#Crooners is the main) and another of the Snowy Egret and the crab, rinsing off the seaweed garnish. #Birds #eck 🪶

A close-up photograph taken in San Rafael, California, shows a snowy egret (Egretta thula) standing in shallow, clear water. The egret, with its characteristic white plumage, black bill, and yellow feet, holds a crab wrapped in a clump of green seaweed in its beak, which it has just pulled from the water. Ripples and reflections are visible on the water's surface.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 07/10/2026

#BlueWater is the #BirdoftheDay theme, and I have a Snowy Egret, flying away and reflected in the blue water of the harbor. #Birds #eck 🪶

A Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) glides low over calm blue water; wings arched in a graceful curve with yellow feet tucked beneath its body. A near-perfect mirror reflection of the white bird appears on the rippled surface below.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 06/10/2026

#BirdSupermodel is the #BirdoftheDay theme, and going for the Black-necked Stilt, doing the coy, over-the-shoulder pose. #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026

#BlueSkies is #BirdoftheDay theme and an Osprey looking for a morning bite over the Bay #Birds #eck 🪶

A photograph captures an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) in flight, seen from below against a blue sky. The raptor is soaring with wings fully extended, showing its white underparts, dark brown carpal patches, and barred flight feathers. Its head is white with a distinct dark eye-stripe.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 04/10/2026

#WingsOpenNotFlying is the #BirdoftheDay prompt and this Great Blue Heron just landed with a splash ang getting it's balance. #Birds #eck 🪶

A Great Blue Heron lands with a splash against a calm blue water background. Wings still spread and head high and pointed slightly up.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 03/10/2026

#BirdoftheDay theme is #Black&Red and this shot taken from almost the same spot as my recent Least Bittern shots - but this time a Common Gallinule working its way through the water weeds. #Birds #eck 🪶

A common gallinule (Gallinula galeata), distinguished by its black plumage and bright orange-red frontal shield and bill, swims amidst dense green aquatic vegetation in a pond in San Rafael, California.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 02/10/2026

One for #FlyDay - and a Caspian Tern headed towards the water of the Bay #Birds #eck 🪶

A Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) in a steep, head-down dive toward the water in Bayside Acres, Marin County, California. It is distinguished from the similar Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) by its significantly larger, heavier, bright orange-red bill and broader wingspan.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 02/10/2026

#BirdoftheDay is #BestBeaks, and although tempted by the herons and egrets, I'm going with the Black Oystercatcher - best beaks and they know it! #Birds #eck 🪶

A close-up photograph captures the head and upper back of a Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani), viewed from behind and to the side. The bird displays its characteristic dark, sooty plumage, a long, bright orange-red bill, and a striking yellow-orange eye with a red orbital ring. It is positioned near water, with a blurred, bokeh background of blue and green tones.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 01/10/2026

An American Crow for #BlackAndWhite for the #BirdoftheDay theme. #Birds #eck 🪶 I'll often do monochrome versions of bird shots, and even shoot in camera, and the crows are great subjects.

A photograph captures a juvenile American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) perched on moss-covered rocks at the edge of a water body. The bird is mostly black with some lighter feathering on its wings and a slightly shorter, less robust bill than an adult. It is looking towards the right side of the frame. The background shows blurred water and more rocks.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 01/10/2026

#BirdoftheDay is #BestoftheMonth, and going with the Least Bittern, another shot from while it was patiently fishing and letting me watch. #Birds #eck 🪶

A small, streaked brown and buff Least Bittern, stands on a reed stalk at the water's edge, its reflection visible in the green water.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 29/09/2026

#BirdoftheDay has #EFG as a prompt today, and I'll take the E for a Snowy Egret - one with a crab for an afternoon snack. #Birds #eck 🪶

A snowy egret (Egretta thula), identifiable by its all-black bill and bright yellow feet, stands in shallow, clear water in San Rafael, California. It holds a captured yellow shore crab (Hemigrapsus oregonensis) in its beak. The water shows ripples and reflections, with the sandy bottom visible.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 28/09/2026

A Great Blue Heron, for #BokehBirds #BirdoftheDay theme, captured against the calm water of the marbour, and close enough to throw the background out of focus too. #eck 🪶

A photograph of a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) standing in shallow water in San Rafael, California. The heron is facing right with its head and long neck extended upward, and its wings are partially spread. The blue-grey plumage, rufous thigh feathers, and yellow eye are visible. The background is calm blue water with some emergent grass and algae.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026

#Pairs is the #BirdoftheDay theme, and fortunate this morning to find an ideal subject - a pair of Turkey Vultures sitting in a tree. Paul and Ringo maybe? #Birds #eck 🪶

Two Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) perched on a weathered, lichen-covered tree branch in a wooded area of San Rafael, Marin County, California.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 24/09/2026

It needs to be when you are going to do this:

A Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (Ixobrychus exilis) is viewed from behind, perched vertically on a cattail stalk and dipping its head into the green water of a marsh in Marin County, California.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 24/09/2026

One for the alt theme for #BirdoftheDay, and #BirdStare, and the Least Bittern from the Las Gallinas trip the other day - giving me a look, but hanging around and carrying on fishing. #Birds #eck 🪶

A frontal view of a Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (Ixobrychus exilis) perched on vertical green reeds at the water's edge. The small heron is looking directly at the camera, its brown and white streaked plumage providing camouflage against the dense vegetation. Its long legs and large feet are visible gripping the stalks above the green, reflective water. The setting is a marshy wetland in Marin County, California.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 23/09/2026

#Corvids is the alt theme for #BirdoftheDay today, with #Raptors as the main theme. Going for this American Crow from a few days ago - shellfish diet going well. #Birds #eck 🪶

A close-up photograph taken in San Rafael, California, shows an American Crow perched on a large, light-colored rock. The bird is entirely black with iridescent plumage, a thick, heavy bill, and shaggy throat feathers. It is looking directly at the camera with a dark eye. The background consists of out-of-focus rocks and some green foliage.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 22/09/2026

#RedHeads is the #BirdoftheDay theme, and joining the many other great House Finch shots with my one - feeding on the tall grasses. #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

Thanks Peter, and you are very welcome. A couple of bonus pictures - without the shadows. I probably spent 10-15 minutes watching - walked around the lake and got a few more before the Bittern went into the weeds.

A small, streaked brown and buff Least Bittern (Botaurus exilis) (Ixobrychus exilis) is perched vertically on a single green cattail stalk, facing forward with its long legs splayed, just above the surface of green water in a marsh.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026

#Light&Shadow is the #BirdoftheDay theme, the alt is #FallBirds. This Least Bittern heading back into the shadows, after forgetting for a little while that is a secretive bird. #Birds #eck 🪶. I did get some clearer pictures of the Bittern, but loved the shadows on this one.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 19/09/2026

#BirdoftheDay theme today is #Elegant, with a alt of #Scruffy. Elegent Terns, mixed with Royal Terns, and a decidedly scruffy junior to the right. #Birds #eck 🪶

A Group of Royal Terns and the smaller Elegant Terns, with a young one begging to be fed on the left. Low angle shot - on the sand at Santa Barbara Beach.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 19/09/2026

#scape to the weekend, and a Bird/Seascape - Stinson Beach, with Heermann's Gulls to the left, Marbled Godwits to the right, and some other gulls and at least one Long-billed Curlew for good measure. #Birds #eck 🪶

A wide-angle view of a sandy beach in Marin County, California, with a large flock of Heerman's Gulls (and others) resting on the upper shore and a scattering of shorebirds, Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa) and a Long-billed Curlew, foraging at the water's edge. Waves break on the right, and a steep, vegetated coastal hill rises in the background under a cloudy sky.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 17/09/2026

#ODG for Owl, Duck, Goose is the #BirdoftheDay theme - and looking forward to someone posting an image with all three! But for me, a Canada Goose will have to do. #Birds 🪶 #eck

A Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) in flight against a clear blue sky, wings spread mid-downstroke. The black head and neck with a white cheek patch, brownish body, and white undertail coverts identify it. Captured in San Rafael, Marin County, California. In camera effect Vintage.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026

#BirdyLongLegs is the alt prompt for #BirdoftheDay, and these Black-necked Stilts seen in flight, reflected over calm water certainly have long legs, and very pink. Though normally graceful, when landing they can look a bit like a rubber chicken. #Birds #eck 🪶

Two Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) fly over a dark, reflective water surface, creating a clear mirror image. Their black-and-white plumage and long pink legs are visible against the deep blue reflection.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 15/09/2026

#Silhouette is the #BirdoftheDay prompt, and this Great Blue Heron in the harbour at golden hour last night is my offering. #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 15/09/2026

#Mammas&Pappas is the #BirdoftheDay prompt - and a couple of teenagers thrown in too - behind mum and dad. Are we there yet? #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 08/09/2026

#BirdBuddies for #BirdoftheDay, and a Western (left) and Least Sandpiper. The slightly longer bill and darker legs identifying the westie. Mostly I see Least, but the occasional Western hangs around with the flock too. #Bird #eck 🪶

A close-up photograph captures a Western (left) and Least Sandpipers (Calidris mauri and minutilla) foraging in shallow, murky water near the edge of a concrete structure in San Rafael, Marin County, California. The bird in the foreground, facing left, clearly displays its diagnostic long, slightly decurved bill, which is longer than its head, and longer than that of the Least, and the darker legs of the Western compared to the yellow of the Least. Both birds are in their mottled brown and rufous breeding plumage.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 07/09/2026

#BirdoftheDay, #Herons&Egrets, and a Great Egret looking for an afternoon snack in the late summer sunshine. #Birds #eck 🪶

A photograph captures a Great Egret (Ardea alba) standing in tall, green salt marsh grasses at the edge of a blue water body. The large, all-white wading bird is angled slightly left, with its long, yellow bill pointed downwards into the water, actively hunting for prey. The scene is in San Rafael, Marin County, California. In camera effect Vintage.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 04/09/2026

One for #BirdNaps, the #BirdoftheDay theme, and a bunch of Least Sandpipers, in various states of napping, on the rocks of the outer harbour. #Birds #eck 🪶

A tight flock of small shorebirds, identified as Least Sandpiper, calidris minutilla), rests on a rocky shoreline in San Rafael, Marin County, California. The birds exhibit their nonbreeding or basic plumage, characterized by brownish-grey upperparts and white underparts, with some individuals showing faint streaking on the breast. Their slightly decurved bills are visible.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 03/09/2026

#BirdoftheDay theme for today is #Contrast - and getting good lighting on the Snowy Egret against the dark water in the background certainly gives plenty of that! #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 31/08/2026

#BirdsupClose is the #BirdoftheDay theme, and best not to get too close when they have a long stabbing thing like this Great Egret. #Birds #eck 🪶

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 28/08/2026

The moon managed to break from the clouds a few minutes after the maximum of last night's partial lunar eclipse on the US West coast. 1/15s, 400mm, ISO 1250 f/7.1 handheld, OM System OM-3 #OMSystem

A telephoto photograph captures a partial lunar eclipse, showing a small, bright crescent of the Moon emerging from the dark, reddish-brown shadow of the Earth against a black sky.

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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 28/08/2026

#CoastalorRiver with an alt theme of #Rocky for #BirdoftheDay - so a twofer with this Least Sandpiper. Took my old 200mm f/4 Zuiko lens out on my OM-3 for some manual focus practice. Had some patient models. #Birds #eck 🪶

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