I've been watching these Avocets for a week now. They feed within about 50 feet of each other in the shallows of the mudflats. When they meet up they begin part of the courtship ritual. The female in front bows her head, the male preens some, and then the male follows the female to the mudflat (as pictured). There they just separate and wander back to feeding. They're in winter plumage, and breeding is not until March, according to the "books". Either they're starting early or the bond lasts across seasons. Does anyone know more about this?