Beach Day!

One of the best ways to relieve stress is to take a long walk on the beach. With each wave that goes out, I let it take my stress and worries along with it. When the shelling is also good, then all the better. I really needed this and it was a very nice walk. The waves were strong, so the water was a bit churned up. But, the waves also bring in the shells.

A typical scene on a Sanibel beach . . . A child playing, a person jogging, a person shelling, and a couple of birds along the shore.

The only large bird we saw was this Osprey in the top of a tree as we left.

A few more pics from President’s day weekend on Pond Apple Trail

There were a bunch of brown pelicans sitting on the levee in the early morning light.

There always seems to be an Anhinga hanging out drying their wings off, like this female Anhinga.

Another Brown Pelican comes in for a landing!

Ta-Da . . . Nailed it!

This pretty morning glory caught my eye as we left the trail.

President's Day Weekend

It was a beautiful Saturday for President’s Day weekend on the island. This weekend is the official start of tourist season. On top of that, we have a popular arts festival on the Island this weekend. So, it was a pleasure to enjoy the solitude of a drive through Ding Wildlife Refuge. Anytime I can get a chance to photograph white birds against a gorgeous blue sky, it’s a win in my book!

We came across several Blue-Winged Teals on the Indigo Trail.

We also saw a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, a Tri-Colored Heron, and an Anhinga.

This Black-Crowned Night Heron was hard to catch for a photo. He kept hiding behind some twigs. Finally, he stretched and yawned a couple of times, so I could grab a couple of pics.

During his next yawn, his third eyelid came across. It’s called a nictitating membrane. it protects the eye and also keeps it from drying out. They can still see through it, but it gives birds a spooky look.

Valentine's Day Love

Winter season for the birds is finally in full swing. It’s great to see the large flocks of birds after the horrible red tide we had. These two little Killdeer were celebrating early this morning for Valentine’s Day! Maybe there will be more little Killdeer soon!

I was trying to get a photo of a different bird and the Great Blue Heron below flew in front of me. He was almost too close for my lens!

The next two photos are very similar. I couldn’t decide which to publish, so you get to see both!

What would Valentine’s Day be without a pink Roseate Spoonbill?

And back home, where there are plenty of birds to get photos of, like this pretty Little Green Heron in our backyard.

The Ospreys appear to be nesting in our neighbor’s backyard. This look just says, “Seriously, Lady? Are you going to do this again this year?”

I think this is the female that flew from the nest to get a bath in the lake behind our house. She saw me and said, “Nope, not doing this.”

So, it was back to the nest to dry off.

While watching the eagle’s nest this morning, one of the eagles flew in with a branch. The two had a little tussle over exactly where it was going to go. One of them won out and then they left the nest. We haven’t seen any sign of chicks, so maybe the lovebirds are just getting ready for next season?

Busy Eagles

I happened to see the eagles today and they were very busy. They were working together to add to their nest. It looks like they are adding rails so the little one(s) can’t get out.

One flew from the nest and rested for a minute while scoping out the perfect branch.

Once the perfect branch was found, he grabbed it and took off back to the nest.

Honey, I’m home with more material!

It gave me another chance to see how their teamwork makes the dream work! Very similar to how they were working together back in September to get the nest ready.

The work is all done, now time to go find lunch!