Lupine above the dunes on Francis
Beach. |
Lupine and bumblebee above the dunes
on Francis Beach. |
It is foggy and lonely this day on
Francis Beach. |
Fishing is a common activity on Francis
Beach. |
|
|
|
|
There sometimes are diehard
beach-goers. |
Gulls on Francis Beach. There can be
hundreds of them. |
Occasionally the gulls are disturbed and
all rise into the air. |
After a few circuits of the beach, the
gulls settle back on the sand. |
|
|
|
|
Western Snowy Plovers are
small birds - about fist-size. |
Plovers run over the dunes
and to and from the water's edge. |
Plovers lie still in footprints as two
people approach with their dog. |
Male Western Snowy Plover. |
|
|
|
|
Some plovers are banded for identification |
Female Western Snowy Plover. |
Parent plover preparing to sit on
nest. |
Parent plover sitting on nest. |
|
|
|
|
An "exclosure" - a fenced area to
protect a Plover nest - is built. |
Building both walls and roof. |
The walls are wire mesh. |
Staff and volunteers all work on the
project. |
|
|
|
|
Each nest contains 3 precious eggs in a
"scrape" in the sand. |
Snakes are potential predators of plover
eggs. |
After about 28 days, the eggs hatch. To view photos of the eggs in
a Plover nest hatching, please click here. |
|
|
|
|
To view photos of two-day old Western Snowy Plover chicks, please
click here. |
Adolescent plover chick. |
Fledgling plover. |
|
|
|
|
Horses are not allowed on the beach. |
Off-leash dogs can be a real threat to
Plover chicks and adults. |
On Memorial Day the beach is
crowded. |
Plovers aren't the only birds on the beach. |
|
|
|
|
Young terns await the return of their parents with
food. |
Several different gulls can be found at Francis
Beach. |
Flights of pelicans grace the sky. |
Pelicans then dive into the waves for fish. |
|
|
|
|
Sanderlings with their long beaks are
often found with the Snowy Plovers. |
Other shore birds feed in the waves and
on the beach. |
Surf's up!! Surfing is only one of the human
activities on Francis Beach. |
The End |