The Long-Billed Curlew

I didn’t plan this shot. I just needed to get out.

Los Angeles was choking with wildfire smoke that week. I packed up, drove north, and landed in Santa Barbara, hoping to breathe again. That afternoon, the beach was silent. No wind. No people. Just golden light and the faint sound of waves folding into the sand.

And then this curlew appeared.

It moved slowly, gently, probing the wet sand with its impossibly long bill. I stayed low and quiet. The sun kissed its feathers just enough to show the texture — the quiet glow of survival, resilience, and grace.

This isn’t just a bird photo. It’s a memory of stillness in a chaotic world.

I’m offering this image as a framed print — for anyone who’s ever needed to walk away from the noise, even just for a moment.

👉 Click here to view and purchase the framed print

https://shayargilani.darkroom.com/products/

Thanks, as always, for supporting this work — made on the road, in motion, and with love for the wild.

Shayar Gilani

Santa Barbara - Jan 2025