Although we see juveniles in migration in California, we do not normally see basic plumage adults such as this. This species is a long distance migrant breeding in the Arctic and wintering in high lakes in the Andes and adjacent lowlands of South America. Adults apparently fly most of the way non-stop. The juveniles take longer, and must navigate to their winter home without guidance from their parents. The long primaries project well beyond the folded tertials giving a long-winged effect. Long-distance migrants often evolve longer wings to aid in migration, and this species is a classic example of that adaptation.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter)