Semipalmated Plover / Charadrius semipalmatus?

Eleven years ago today, I posted my very first photo on Flickr - of a Savannah Sparrow seen in Weaselhead/North Glenmore Park : ) Amazing how time flies!

This photo was taken two days ago, on 25 August 2017, when I at last did a long-overdue drive east of the city. This is my least favourite direction in which to drive from the city and I have to say it stresses me out so much. Once I reach the back roads, I can relax a little, but I am always worried about getting lost.

The best few minutes in the five and a half hours I was out were when I came across a beautiful Swainson's Hawk juvenile, perched on a fence post. Finally, a hawk perched along a back road, where I could stop. Amazingly, not one single vehicle came along while I was there. It felt so good to get a few photos of a hawk in the wild, unlike the ones I photographed recently at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre. I had really hoped I would see a perched hawk and, in fact, I had seen another one earlier in my drive, though that one was more distant. That's all I needed, to make me feel happy and that the drive was worthwhile.

For the first time ever, and after having driven past the location other times, I stopped at Weed Lake (south end). Lots of birds, but most were really too far to photograph. Still, I was happy to see a Killdeer and what I think was a little Semipalmated Plover close enough to get a few shots. One disturbing thing I found on the path was a large dead, white bird with a long neck. There were two cylindrical canisters on top of the remains - looks like these were empty fireworks. No idea how long this body had been there, or if anyone else has seen it there. Added later: apparently, this dead Swan has been there since at least April of this year.

"A small dark shorebird with a single band across its chest, the Semipalmated Plover is the most common plover seen on migration in most areas." From AllAboutBirds. Apparently, 'semipalmated' refers to the slight webbing between the toes.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Semipalmated_Plover/lifehistory