Golden Plovers are uncommon but regular fall migrants on Duxbury Beach, but they are extremely uncommon in the Spring when they are in their handsome breeding plumage. I had a male in 2009 and this is only my second spring record. Thankfully it was very accommodating and let me get close enough to get this shot.

I initially thought that its mottled facial appearance and the blotchy white in various places on the sides and underparts were indicative of a not-yet-complete molt. Upon reading up a bit, I learned that this is the breeding plumage of the female... they don't get the vivid black of the male and show somewhat random amounts of white. I get the impression from the text that this one may be showing a bit more than is typical.