Our Second Act-1st outing - Westerly, RI

I just spent 3 1/2 incredible days in Westerly, RI that were honestly more than I could have hoped for - wow! The weather was absolutely perfect - each morning was in the mid-50’s with no wind and no bugs biting me. Each morning I went out to the same area because I totally scored on the first morning and felt like there were no reason to look any further for another spot. I walked directly east out on a sandy path with the ocean on my right and Quonochontaug Pond on my left. The path had thickets and pines on both sides - reminded me a lot of the Fire Road out to Hatches Harbor in Provincetown.

As I was starting my trek out there the sky was filling with beautiful clouds on the horizon - I thought I had a great chance for a spectacular sunrise. I picked up my pace as I wanted to get as far out as I could and I needed to have time to find a cove that also had a path leading to it. Just when I was wondering if I would still be on the path when the sun came up I spotted a path off to my left up ahead. I picked up my pace even more so that I could take that path to see where it would lead me. Well…… I could not have asked for more! As I rounded the last corner of the path, there were tall thickets on either side of me, I stepped out into such a magical place it is hard to describe other than to say - wow! It was just about low tide - at high tide it would not have been possible to be at this spot. I immediately saw where I wanted to set up so I hustled down to the muddy/sandy edge of the pond and set up my tripod as low as it can go - got on my knees and started to shoot like crazy. Absolutely everything fell into place - it was truly magical - I hope that you agree. It is time to come along with me…

I had heard Willets everywhere on my walk out there and this was the first pair that I spotted. As you can see the sunrise was absolutely beautiful…

I decided I was going to stay on my knees and stay as low as possible for as long as possible as I just knew this place was just bursting with life. In a flash a Willet landed right in front of me in this incredible lighting…

And just as quickly it flew away…

I heard a huge splash behind me to catch this Willet bursting out of the water while another one was in the water! Willets are large stocky shorebirds with a long straight bill and long legs. They have gorgeous markings on their wings - which when spread are a little over 2 feet wide.

Above my head I heard the peeping sound of a Piping Plover! I quickly turned around (as quickly as I could while on my knees) to see this absolutely stunning Piping Plover in the most glorious lighting! Piping Plovers are like little cotton balls on toothpicks… absolutely adorable!

Just what I was hoping for… a sweet reflection….

I heard all kinds of piercing calls from the Willets …. it took me a few seconds to locate them… but when I did - what a show!

So many water birds can fly and have the tip of a wing just lightly kiss the top of the water… I finally captured that moment….I think that is just so beautiful…