Plover Fisticuffs

The Defending Champion stands his* ground; a small patch of mud on the shoreline.

The young and fearless challenger encroaches without hesitation.

The challenger has gone one step too far; and so it begins.

At first the challenger strikes the first blows.

The juvenile seems to have the advantage, despite his inexperience.

A veteran of many battles, the old bird knows it is no time to give up. He regroups, and goes in for the next round.

The Champ has some aerial movies of his own, the likes of which the young plover has never seen.

The champ prepares to deal the finishing uppercut.

Forlorn, the loser juvenile is forced to slum it with the Western Sandpipers. How embarrassing.

Poe Road is the best place at the Salton Sea to see Snowy Plovers, particularly now (although maybe not in the future) that you can drive all the way to the shore of the sea. More on this underbirded spot to come.

* = To be honest this bird looks like a female, but males can be incredibly faded this time of year, particularly at an overexposed place like the Salton Sea.