I had a photography “lifer” yesterday at Viera Wetlands – my first up-close Stilt Sandpiper. He was hanging out with some Black-Necked Stilts in a nice shallow part of the water. He’s molting into basic plumage, and look at those wings! They show a lot of wear and tear from his long trip south. Non-birding friends are often surprised to hear that fall migration begins so early in the summer. They are even more surprised to hear that these birds nest in the highest reaches of the Canadian Arctic, then fly across the planet to winter throughout South America. Talk about a long trip!