A sudden dark cloud produced a freaky change in camera conditions, that I didn't have time to even try and compensate for. This funny-colored Sandpiper is indeed a Baird's, and the scaly pattern to the coverts and scapulars can be seen. Those long wings give them a different look in the air once you've seen them a few times. I picked this bird up 1st as it was flying towards me. Luckily it landed right up the beach from me.