New year - new beginning

A new year has begun on so many different levels for me and a lot of it has been challenging. One of those moments happened when my computer and monitor died after serving me well for 7 years, but I thought "fear not" I had religiously backed up all my photos. Though when I went to retrieve them I sadly realized that it had stopped backing up 1.5 years ago. I realize that I could have checked it along the way - so my bad - and for that I feel a lump in my throat especially when I think about those life birds that were captured but more importantly my grandson's sweet face. Gulp, it is hard to let go and start all over again.

So, brushing up and moving on - I'm working with a new PC - a challenge in itself, but at last - my camera is still working and I was able to download my photo editor Picasa to get my photos ready for this blog...so without further ado....come along and visit the Lighthouse area of Sanibel....

I arrived just in time to see the sun rise along with the Black Skimmers

A Snowy Egret slowly waking up to this new day

The Brown Pelicans on the other hand were already hard at work taking advantage of all those school of fishes that were present this morning.

This Ring-billed Gull had a mourning call, I wish I understood Gull talk.

The same call was going on when another Gull joined in

In the meantime I almost missed these Ruddy Turnstone by my feet - they blend so well with their surroundings.

I came to the conclusion that this Gull likes to gather attention and why not - it's worthy of many looks.

A Great Egret was quite comfortable on the railing of the new fishing Pier.

A live Lightning Whelk was on the edge of the gulf and slowly making its way back in.

This fishing vessel had me chuckle when I noticed its given name....how appropriate!

"Maybe there's a Brown Pelican's vessel out there".

More Egrets!

And our regulars - the White Ibis with their baby blue eyes.

I bet that Snowy is thinking about those Sand Fleas that the Ibis are consuming.

Ha! Look who arrived! A Lesser Black-backed Gull.

And then in the blink of an eye - an Osprey swooped down to gather some nesting material...

something nice and soft for those new chicks....now, that's something to look forward to for the new year.