Ready for a bunch of photos?

Memorial day (and the following day too) I spent my mornings at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. there were not that many birds- compared to winter when many birds stop over for the warmer weather, but the quality of the birds was wonderful! There were avocet, stilt and mallard chicks, which was a true treat.

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) chasing mallard chicks (Anas platyrhynchos)!

Female ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) with chick and a photo-bombing tree swallow.

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) with a chick

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) drying off.

American avocet (Recurvirostra americana)

American avocet chick (Recurvirostra americana)

American avocet chick (Recurvirostra americana)

Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) with chick

Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) with chick

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

Mallard mom and chick (Anas platyrhynchos)

Mallard chick (Anas platyrhynchos) drying off. Or maybe doing a little dance.

Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)

Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)

Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)

Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)

Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)

Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) chasing mallard chicks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) chasing mallard chicks (Anas platyrhynchos). Mom mallard was not thrilled and would chase the stilt away when possible.

Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) soaking up some sun.