Golden Remnants

A Western Snowy Plover rests among the remnants of By-the-Wind Sailors scattered across a beach in Point Reyes National Seashore. The translucent skeletons catch the soft glow of the morning sun, casting a radiant sea of light around this tiny shorebird. Listed as threatened, these plovers face numerous challenges, from rising sea levels to habitat disruptions caused by human activity. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of conservation groups along California’s coast, their population is showing signs of recovery after years of decline.