Great Lakes region, USA. July 2026.
I took my camera, my kayak, and an N95 mask and hit the river. The wildfire smoke was quite intense. Luckily the wildlife seemed to be coping. These killdeer were one of the highlights of the trip. I was surprised at how close they let me get.
They’re a lovely bird. I hate to say they can be annoying, but that also makes them unique. I’ve had great luck finding them this year. Their call carries quite a distance so you know when they’re around.