What was going to be a simple evening walk with the Lab, turned out to be a little better. I decided to check in with eBird to see what others were seeing. I mean, if Im going to get out side and go for a walk, I may as well see if I can do a little multi-taksing. Well, someone had spotted a Baird’s Sandpiper at a local birding hot-spot. So- off we went. Spotting scope, binoculars, camera, dog. It’s still summer- the light won’t be gone for a couple more hours.
I decided to check up on what a Baird’s Sandpiper looked like- a little intelligence debrief is always a good thing before hoping to see a new bird for the first time. So- small, warm brown “scaly” looking pattern on the back, warm brown bib across the chest, black bill. Good enough. I shouldn’t have to hard a time distinguishing this from the usual suspects- Solitary Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Kildeer. I only helped it was still around.
After a 5 minute drive and a five unite walk, I was fortunate enough to find the little guy- it was my 160th species for the year, and my 250th life list bird. I wish I had been keeping a life list when I lived in Michigan and travelled to Alaska both times. I’m pretty sure I would be in the 350 range by now. So, I got a new life bird, the Lab got a nice walk, and we both found ourselves out in nature again.
Nature, every day. 
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