Solitary

Fortunately the wind from earlier had died down, and a pleasant early evening ensued, as the temperature remained around 70°F. I spotted this sandpiper in the wetland, which turned out to be a new-to-me bird, a solitary sandpiper. And solitary it was.

Unlike the spotted sandpiper I had seen in previous years, the solitary variety does not bob its tail nearly as much. It's cousin does so almost incessantly as if it has a nervous twitch.

Later, out on the lake, a pair of male mallards enjoyed the evening light.

Extra: Flapping.