Feathered Friends by the Shore

Osprey

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

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!

Limpkin

06-07-19 A solo limpkin during its morning hunt in the shallow waters of Lake Myakka.

Limpkin in the rain

06-07-19 The light rain gave an added dimension to the limpkin feeding in the shallow water.

Limpkin with clam

06-07-17 The sweet limpkin takes his prize to the shore where he enjoyed the fresh-water delicacy.

Limpkin in the rain

06-07-19 The limpkin continues his morning hunt as the sprinkle turns to rain.

Young swan

07-08-17 A juvenile swan was content to pose in a regal profile.

Lakeland - black swan

07-08-17 A solo black swan graced me with a profile pose during his morning feast.

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.

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.

Sweet Willet on beach

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

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.

Intense shore bird

09-05-17 The shorebird is simply intense on survival amidst the anxiety surrounding the impending hurricane hit.

regal large shore bird

09-03-14 The regal large shore bird gives me a profile pose along with a gentle, yet intense, stare towards the water.

Simple Pleasures

08-30-15 The resting sea gull embodies the simple pleasures of spending time at the beach.

B&W sea gull on piling

08-26-16 The sweet sea gull was a perfect model while I scoped out the group photo spot.

Shorebird on lamp post

08-31-15 A lovely shorebird gave Mom & me a sweet farewell as we left our favorite Anna Maria Island dining destination, The Rod 'n Reel.

Northern mocking bird

10-16-22 Florida's state bird, the northern mocking bird, is a permanent resident in the sunshine state.

Red-bellied woodpecker

12-20-21 The utility pole is a consistent source of food for the sweet, tenacious friend.

Black vulture convention

06-07-19 Black vultures congregate on the long-closed viewing platform on Lake Myakka.

Sandhill crane

06-07-19 The sandhill crane parent enjoyed an afternoon stroll with his family through the dried wetlands.

Sand hill crane family

06-07-19 A sand hill crane family walks through the wetlands dried from the recent drought.

Young sandhill crane

06-07-19 With his parents nearby, the young sandhill crane learns to forage for his own food and live indepenently.