Jones Beach, April 8

If you thought that the only sunbathing that's going on on Jones Beach is between the months of June and August, you are severely mistaken. The beach is in use in all seasons. This past Easter Sunday, there were thousands of sunbathers on the beach. They enjoyed the sand and the salty air, occasionally tried the water (still too cold), chattered to each other and to passers-by. And periodically took to flight.



These sunbathers were Dunlins (the ones with the longer bills) and Sanderlings (the lighter grey ones), taking a rest during their spring migration. Here is a series of closer looks at what their flocks looked like:



There were a few more visitors enjoying the sun, like these American Oystercatchers:





A Black-Bellied Plover (in non-breeding plumage) was contemplating the next leg of his trip:



A shy Semipalmated Plover took its place far apart from the rest of the croud:

 One phlegmatic seagull (2nd-year Herring Gull?) was watching over the entire proceedings:


And when the day was over, it was time to go back home: