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Brian Smith @briansmith-photos.eurosky.social · 9h

#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

Waiting for the "we have asked me to resign".

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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 · 10/10/2026

Thanks Marina! It was one of those lazy winds - it doesn't bother going around you - just straight through.

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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

Thanks Martha, they are so cool to watch.

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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 · 05/10/2026

My thought exactly - maybe the 1812 - getting ready for the guns.

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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

But I see it now - hopefully others can too!

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

It doesn't even load for me - but I see other missing pictures too - so maybe a bigger issue? I'll post again if it doesn't show up later.

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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

That dead tree is often used by the vultures - so always ready to take a snap. One flew off, the other just watched us walk past.

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