At the Oceanside pier with visiting friends, we were delighted by these self-possessed, proud birds who posed for us.  We kept expecting to be asked for tips as they strutted and turned and twisted their flexible necks, rearranged themselves to face us, showed a profile,  tucked their beaks, and dared us to come closer.

When she did indeed get too close, my friend was surprised by this bird, who fluffed into majestic flight, flapping nearly into her hair, with a bigger wingspan than one would expect.

A highlight of a glorious, windy, sunny-cloudy day!