This is a fun time of year here on the SF Bay as the shorebirds are changing into their best clothes ahead of migration and the summer nesting season.
This SB Dowitcher is about half molted, the outgoing winter plumage being gray and the incoming breeding molt being brick red.
Head angle isn't perfect, but coupled with the drop of mud I think it gives him/her a very surprised look, as though I interrupted him midway through his meal.
Fun fact: Female dowitchers have longer bills than males.
You can see how far he sinks into the mud, so I really had to earn this shot in there with him. Very, very dirty afterwards!
Canon 500mm f/4 IS v1 + 1.4x III on EOS 5D Mark IV
1/1600 at f/5.6, ISO 1000, handheld on stomach
Processed in Lightroom - nothing tricky!
Cheers
Dorian