Take a closer look at the many feet under this mama. She’s busy. On this barrier beach a colony of American Oystercatchers, Common Terns, and Black Skimmers raise their chicks by the bounty of the ocean. This was a just pre-dawn shot in the middle of the beach. I relaxed and moved slowly to get down on eye level with her. She was kind enough to let me visit. There is nothing more peaceful than sitting quietly at the edge of a shorebird breeding colony as the sun comes up. Here I was at the famed Nickerson Beach in Long Island waiting for my presence to be dismissed and the birds to deem me harmless. American Oystercatchers were my spark bird. They are noisy, raucous, and unmistakably comedic. They nest on scapes in the sand, and are vulnerable to all that would disturb. Take a moment to consider that orange beak, and flashing eyes. In the United States total population is declining, what an absolute tragedy it would be if we fail to protect them.