Something was calling to me this morning and I decided to listen to that inner voice - it took me along the shore and I was blessed to witness the beginning of a brand new day. Come and see...
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| Well, I think I'm off to a good start! |
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| A Black-bellied Plover (his belly will turn black next spring/summer - during breeding season). |
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| A flock of Sanderlings |
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| A Brown Pelican - an adult above and a sub-adult below....notice the difference in the plumage. |
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| A Great Egret had his own pond along the beach |
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| and in it he found a pipe fish. |
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| ...next! |
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| A Willet nearby found a small crab |
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| This yound Reddish Egret was still hunting for food. |
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| Several species of Gulls were seen this morning, plenty of Laughing Gulls and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. |
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| While watching the Gulls, two Black Skimmers came over to rest. |
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| A Red-breasted Merganser swam by the shore. |
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| Isn't this lovely? How often do you see more birds than people? |
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| A winter adult Herring Gull |
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| A winter adult Lesser Black-backed Gull |
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| A young Bald Eagle flew overhead and interestingly enough he didn't disturb any of the birds. |
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| A Third year Great Black-backed Gull - feasting on a fish carcass, partly visible is a Laughing Gull and following behind is a Ruddy Turnstone. |
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| A Franklin Gull |
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| A Magnificent Frigatebird - a male - recognizable from the orange throat pouch, a female has a black head with a white chest. |
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| The Snowy Plovers are returning in great numbers, I counted 13 in front of the Gulfside City Park - one of them is sporting some colorful bands and it turns out she was banded on 3/31/09 in Sanibel - You go Girl! |
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| This one snuggled down into the shells - look how well he blends in. |
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| And that, folks, concludes my sightings for this morning - I'm a happy birder. My E-Bird List for today. |
