A pair of Black-necked Stilts flew in and landed in the little water that remains near the Egret Trail on the auto tour.  The three mile auto tour loop is located on the south side of Highway 49 near the city of Waupun.  The popular boardwalk that normally resides here has been removed due to deterioration.  It is expected to be rebuilt next year.  Yay!  The DNR is drawing down the water in this section to encourage native plant growth. That should attract more wildlife, which is great news for photographers.  In the meantime, the Stilts enjoyed bathing,

eating small fish,

and other things.

They are comical,

graceful,

and, at times, fluffy.

The female has brownish feathers in the dark areas while the male’s feathers are completely black in the dark areas. Their long pink legs and distinctive color pattern make them an easy shorebird to identify.