2023 Alameda

Rails are secretive birds, spending most of their time around mudflats in deep shade. Big tides drive them to higher ground, which is a photographer's best chance to capture decent images of these shy birds. As it happens, the highest tide of the year occurred around 10:30 AM when we were there. Sure enough, the rails got flushed from their normal habitat and were forced to swim in the open to reach protected reeds.