Beachside

If you read my last post you saw that it was dedicated to the Royal Terns and the behavior I observed - I felt that it was so special that it deserved its own spot. This post is about everything else that I encountered, so come along and see....

I arrived at the beach just as the sun was rising - it made a perfect backdrop for this Sargasso Mat.

Not too long ago I discussed the small capsules that had washed up on the beach and here is a perfect example of what it looks like when it is still part of the Sargasso mat. The Sargassum provides a home to an amazing variety of marine species. Turtles use sargassum mats as nurseries where hatchlings have food and shelter. The mat also provides habitat for shrimp, crab, fish and other marine species that have adapted to this 'floating algae'.

Back to shore - the local Brown Pelicans were quite busy feeding - this young one came to investigate.

An adult Brown Pelican is getting quite colorful with its yellow head and reddish bill.

Now my attention is being drawn to this seashell mat - oh my! So much to do and see and so little time it seems.

And more birds to observe - there were at least a dozen Forster Tern mixed in with the Royal and Sandwich.

There were also quite a few dog walkers on the beach and as such the birds/terns found themselves being constantly displaced.

A small group of Sanderling managed to find a spot to rest away from the 'walking zone'.

Here's a fun picture - I always love to come across similar species side by side as it provides me with more study/comparison between the two....a Sandwich Tern in the back, a Forster in the front.

A Lesser Black-backed Gull was definitely a head above the rest.

My favorite couple - the Royal Tern side by side - also note to the right, another opportunity to compare the Forster, Sandwich and Royal Tern.

More Sanderlings.

A Ghost Crab - this fellow must be in its 3rd year because his borrow was way up the beach by the vegetation.

As I passed the Ghost Crab I came upon a couple who were eyeing a Common Loon that was sitting on the sand - their first reaction was that we needed to call CROW. Before doing so I gingerly approached the bird to see if it was injured - well, this Loon did not like the fact that I was getting closer and all of a sudden he attempted to stab me with its bill - it must have been pretty comical to see me skipping and jumping while trying to avoid his jabs - good thing I'm still quick on my feet. The Loon safely retreated to the ocean.

Well, that was quite a bit of excitement for one day and I'm getting hungry....time for lunch.

Bowman's Beach

It had been a while since I last visited Bowman's Beach and I thought I'd better get over there before it gets crowded. Come along and see what I bumped into.....

My first group turns out to be Short-billed Dowitchers, sweet!

As I turned around and looked to the East I can't help but fall in love with the sunrise.

Oh, what a nice surprise - my first of the season Common Loon is just a few yards away.

A nice group of Red Knots passed me.

This pair of Osprey is getting ready for their new family.

A Brown Pelican just chilling on a No Wake buoy.

More Red Knots by the sea shore.

One of many Snowy Egrets that I saw this morning.

The Snowy Plovers were all hanging out together...

Some Black-bellied Plover wanted to hang out with them too.

I love to watch the little Snowy form a bowl to sit in to rest and blend in.

A Cormorant was drying out after his fishing extravaganza.

I love his serious expression.

I got lucky to have all 8 Snowy Plovers in this frame.

Cute pair, no?

A not so lucky Sandwich Tern - on the other hand the Ghost Crab looks pretty smug.

Now that I work at the Shell Museum I can't help myself but pay more attention to the sea shells - especially when the mollusk is still alive within this beautiful Lightning Whelk.

Here's the pair - busy at getting the nest ready.

It's time for me to wrap it up but before I go - one more look at this beautiful vista.

I believe it's time for breakfast.

 

A Caloosa Caravan to Bartow

This is the time of the year that the Caloosa Bird Club meet up at Bartow for Sunday night and bird the Circle B Bar Preserve in Lakeland on Monday. This time around a few of us met up early Sunday and birded along the way. First stop: The Celery Fields

Oh boy! It's been a while since I had the opportunity to see a Meadowlark up front and personal and what a beauty it is!

I love their song too.

The Purple Martins have arrived - a male is seen here perched on one of the houses.

A male Mallard was a nice surprise too.

More Purple Martins are coming in.

After a bit we headed to Sarasota, near the airport where many Redheads had been reported.

They were in great numbers - mixed in with Lesser Scaup, Grebes and Mergansers.

 After this quick stop we headed to Emerson Point Preserve

 We marveled at the amount of Mergansers and Loons seen in the distance.

 And the Skyline Bridge.

 Then we were off to the Lost River Trail

 It was nice to find White Pelicans in large numbers...

 working together as a team while gathering up the fish for a meal.

 Around the corner we took a walk up the hill..

and took in the view across the bay

Now - to our last stop - at a friend's house in the center of town - a lovely private home with a beautiful front yard meant literally for the birds.

 We saw several Goldfinches feasting on seeds.

 A Rufous Hummingbird has been a regular visitor - it showed up but kept hiding/feeding behind this feeder - the best capture I got was the tip of his tail.

 A very bright Pine Warbler came in for seeds too.

 I got luckier with this Ruby-throated Hummingbird when he granted me a few seconds of stillness....

 before resuming his feeding frenzy....a busy bird for sure.

 More Goldfinches.

 A few Bluebirds.

 At last we had to tear ourselves away from this little haven - and back on the road we go.

Near Bartow - while driving at 60 mph - I noticed what appeared to be a Great Horned owl on this post which I radioed in to the rest of the caravan, the trip leader opted to make a U-turn to go back and see...well....egg on my face when we drove up to it to realize that it was two plastic owls up there. We all had a good laugh about it and I bet that story will stick with me for a long time.