I know that Black-necked Stilts are not in the least bit rare in the USA so I shouldn't be too surprised when I bump in to them. This morning though was a real privilege and pleasure when I I caught sight of one at the beach just north of Miami. It was a "loner" and seemed to be lost amongst the small flock of terns and gulls by a Lifeguard hut. What was more interesting was the reaction by the local crows who definitely knew that it was not the norm for the beach here, mobbing it aggressively. I tried as hard as possible to get near to it and didn't get as close as I would have liked but this beautiful atmospheric image gives a lovely impression of this bird in it's sandy environment and really "does it for me" as one of my favourite images of my Florida trip so far this year.  Even though the time was around 9, the temperature  was already touching 75ish, and there is definitely a feeling of heat in the photo.

Black-necked Stilts are very closely related to the  Black-winged Stilts of Southern Europe and Africa and considered by ornithologists everywhere (except the USA) as a sub-species. 

The Mourning Dove – Zenaida macroura is really common in the USA but always attractive to me but I have rarely had an opportunity to get a good photo, but this morning was one of those rare moments as a small group were feeding in front of me in perfect light.