25 May, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, California. This is the endangered California Least Tern (S. a. browni) which is said to average slightly smaller and darker than other races (but see below). It has been much reduced in California because of disturbance to its nesting areas and by predation and disturbance by dogs, foxes, coyotes, hawks and even rabbits. It survives in only a few isolated breeding colonies, mostly in coastal Southern California and in San Francisco Bay. Although listed as an endangered species, there is actually little or no morphological difference between S. a. browni and other subspecies. Most taxonomists question the validity of the three to five currently recognized subspecies. This photo was taken through a chain-link fence. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FS 3 / 30XWA / hand-held, no adapter.