Feathered Friends by the Shore

Osprey

09-03-18 The magnificent osprey watches over his beach territory from high in a shoreline pine tree.

Osprey in nest platform

01-13-19 Working as a team, the tentative lady stayed in the nest as her mate watched over the human-crowded scenario from a nearby tree.

Anhinga sunning his wings

02-14-15 It is always a pleasure to find an Anhinga drying his wings along the shoreline.

Anhingas

05-28-16 The sweet Anhingas gave numerous poses and let me climb down on the rocks for a closer capture.

White Ibis

09-01-15 A flock of White Ibis stroll the beach for their final feeding of the day.

White Ibis walking beach

09-01-15 A White Ibis walks the beach in the setting Sun searching for its evening meal.

A White Ibis feeding

09-02-15 A White Ibis feeds as the Sun edges towards the horizon.

An ibis trio

08-27-16 An ibis trio relunctantly posed for me in the rain - I was grateful!

Ibis

05-25-18 In between the torrential rain showers, the neighborhood ibis flock feasted within the flooded roadway median.

Blue-eyed ibis

07-08-17 The stunning ibis posed within the stillness of the park's chaotic energy.

Lone roseate spoonbill

05-28-18 A lone roseate spoonbill separated from his flock survives through tenacity of the spirit.

Lone roseate spoonbill

09-01-17 A disheveled lone roseate spoonbill gazes inro the distance curious about its destiny.

Sweet limpkin

05-17-17 The sweet one-legged limpkin gave me a direct look to complete the photo trio.

Limpkin feasting on mussels

05-17-17 A one-legged limpkin feasted on the bountiful fresh water mussels at Myakka Lake.

Limpkin posing

05-17-17 A sweet, one-legged limpkin gave a series of poses after she was done with her feast. When I requested an angle profile, she obliged with a shift from her 90 degree profile - yes, I am in love!

Lone wood stork

05-28-18 A lone wood stork pauses during his evening feeding for a portrait.

Wood stork

07-08-17 Excuse me, are YOU still there? Have I not given you enough superb poses?

Lakeland - ancient wading bird

07-08-17 A wading bird with an ancient appeal touched my Soul with its primal energy.

Terns on beach

09-02-15 After a few minutes of laying in the shallow water near them, the Terns started showing their unique personalities.

Tern personality

09-02-15 Love the rivalry within the otherwise peaceful flock of terns.

a tern with ruffled feathes

09-02-15 A ruffled feathered tern speaks his mind after another questioned his authority.

A tern finishes his bath

09-02-15 A tern finishes his quick bath in the shalllow low tide water.

bird looking at me

09-01-13 This feathered beauty stared at me until I took her picture. No edits other than cropping and making b&w.

b&w bird on railing

01--03-14 This delightful feathered friend was happy to pose for me as I played with the new camera.

Willett in shimmering water

08-30-15 A lovely willett stands within the water shimmering with the setting Sun reflections.

Willet with direct look

08-30-15 On the first beach sunset with my long lens, the lovely willet took a break from foraging dinner for a quick direct look.

Sweet Willet on beach

08-30-15 Sweet willets call to my heart with their earnest demeanor.

Willet on evening surf

09-03-17 Lit up by the setting Sun's golden light, the lone willet gazes into the world of possibilities filled with unspoken promises.

Sweet willet in the surf

08-28-16 The sweet willet took a break from evening feasting within the surf for a direct focus.

Willet on beach

08-30-16 A relaxed willet gazes at the stormy skies as Hurricane Hermine edges towards Florida's Gulf Coast.

Relaxed willet on the beach

08-30-16 A sleepy willet relaxes on the beach before the evening foraging. ... and I slithered on my belly closer & closer as my sweet friend posed.

Willet digging in sand

09-01-15 A lovely Willet uses her long beak to dive deep for her evening meal.

Willet feeding in sand

08-30-15 The willet searches for seashore delicacies as the tide recedes.

Injured Willet

09-03-15 A sweet Willet with an injured right foot limped along the beach with amazing grace.

Willets in-flight

09-01-16 As I turned around, the willet flock took flight - no time for focus & settings change.

Sweet plover poses

09-01-15 The sweetheart plover returned this evening and gently taught me how to capture her.

Plover posing

8-30-15 The sweet young lady was determined to get my attention for her portrait.

Sweetheart on foamy beach

09-01-15 My sweetheart friend gave me a nice profile capture.

Sweet Sandpiper

09-01-15 The sweet Sandpiper gifted me with many direct eye contact shot filled with love.

black-bellied plover on the beach

09-03-14 The black-bellied plover casually walks along the shore.

... on a mission

09-02-17 The determined sandpiper reminds us it is important to take one step at a time as we enter new life dimensions.

Sandpiper

09-02-17 A sweet sandpiper ruffled its feathers during the rainy evening hunt.

Resting shorebird

09-03-17 During the sunset hunt, the typically active shorebird rejuvenates his spirit with a short respite.

At the water edge

09-03-17 When confused, engulfed in uncertainty, the waters of life offer clarity for next steps;

Ruddy Turnstone on beach

08-30-15 A Ruddy Turnstone lives up to his name as he searches for dinner in the receding tide.

Ruddy Turnstone with his catch

08-30-15 A Ruddy Turnstone enjoys the rewards of his successful hunt.

Sandpiper direct look

09-03-15 Oops, the Sandpiper figured out he was on my camera's center stage.