Marie Read / Western Grebe (Aechmorphus occidentalis), pair during 'rushing' courtship display in which they run across water's surface in synchrony, near Escondido, California, USA, January.

Marie Read / Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) adult in breeding plumage preening tail feathers, Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, January.

Marie Read / Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) in breeding plumage, head and shoulders showing plumes on crown and neck, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York, USA, May.

Marie Read / Great Egret (Ardea alba), about to land in water, backlit, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California, USA, October.

Marie Read / Tricolored heron (Egretta tricolor) adult in breeding plumage capturing fish by half-running half-flying across water's surface and stabbing with its bill, Viera Wetlands, Brevard County, Florida,...

Marie Read / Royal tern (Sterna maxima) perching on a sand castle on a beach, Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, March.

Marie Read / Common loon (Gavia immer) adult in breeding plumage, preening in the last light of day, Michigan, USA, June.

Ann & Steve Toon / Greater flamingoes (Phoenicopterus ruber), Etosha National Park, Namibia, May

Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION / Moorhen Gallinula chloropus An adult is backlit on a frozen lake in evening light Derbyshire, UK

Andrew Parkinson / Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) pair of adults, photographed through coastal flowers, perched on the cliff top, Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve, East Yorkshire, UK, May.

Roland Seitre / Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis) walking at water's edge, Kawai'ele Waterbird Sanctuary, Kauai, Hawaii.

Roland Seitre / Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis) on water, Kawai'ele Waterbird Sanctuary, Kauai, Hawaii.