These two Red-necked Phalaropes float gracefully on the water, their delicate bodies showcasing an intricate pattern of reddish-brown, white, and grey plumage. The birds' distinctive markings and the gentle ripples of the water create a pleasing, textured composition of this unique shorebird species. Red-necked phalaropes are unusual shorebirds because the typical roles are reversed: females are more brightly colored than males and leave most of the incubation and chick-rearing to them. They are excellent swimmers, often spinning in tight circles on the water to stir up tiny prey from below the surface. Despite their small size, they are long-distance migrants, traveling from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering areas on the open ocean. Photographer: Sean Neilson