So delicate looking yet so well adapted

This is a Black-necked Stilt. The picture was taken at the Salton Sea in Southern California. The Salton Sea is one of the most important winter habitats for literally millions of migrating shore, wading, and swimming birds, yet the Sea is also one of the most controversial bodies of water in the Western USA. It was formed by a break in an irrigation levee in the early 1900’s. It has no renewable water source; totally dependent on irrigation run off from the surrounding agricultural lands. As irrigation has become more efficient, there has been less run off; hence the Sea is literally drying up and becoming more and more salty. It is currently 30% saltier than the Pacific Ocean. In December, when this picture was taken, there are still 10’s of thousands of shore birds present with Black-necked Stilts being one of the common species. Because the Sea is drying up, the shallow water extends a long ways out from the shore-perfect habitat for a wading bird with long legs.