Willet; Kennebunk, Maine, USA, July 2026 — Several pairs of Willets are nesting in the marshes behind the dunes at our local beach. Yesterday they were in full protection mode, acting as though there were chicks already, though I could not see any chicks. Hopefully, they are well hidden in the deep marsh grasses. I was nowhere near either adult, but they were certainly on high alert and even took to the air in an attempt to intimidate me. With some success, I might add. They are a lot bigger and way less agile than Least Terns, but thankfully, they appear to know the limits of their own turn ratio and keep a good distance. A close encounter would not be comfortable for either of us. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 Contemporary at about 600 to 900mm effective field of view crops. Program with flight and action modifications. Processed in Photomator.