Other Birds of Anna Maria Island

The day after Christmas wasn't spent all on Razorbill photos despite the tons of them in the last post. While trying to get in position for the sea birds I did pass many other species along the beach line. Some of which were surprisingly unafraid as I walked back and forth. Right after the Sun came up there was a small flock of birds below the City Pier which included a Black-bellied Plover.



Along with the Plover, several Sanderlings were busy probing the sand for food.



When the Razorbills began hearding fish along the small jetty by the piers the Pelicans would begin to line up and wait for a chance to take advantage of the easy pickin's.



Once they spot a lot of fish bunched up they would jockey for position and dive for a snack. Surprised they didn't scoop up a Razorbill.



Brown Pelicans, Laughing Gulls and a Double-crested Cormorant joined in the feast as the Razorbills scurry for cover in the background.



Just because, here is a closer view of a Laughing Gull.



Half-way between the piers I discovered a little Christmas display tucked in the grass. Kinda odd but pretty.



I was heading back with the intention of leaving when I spotted another species moving toward the shoreline. A Common Loon.



Common Loons are much larger than the Razorbills so it was easy to pick it out once it popped up from foraging underwater.



A Great-blue Heron walked stoically back and forth near me. It stayed so close it was all I could do to get more than a head shot with the zoom lens on.



Eventually, Snowy Egrets arrived and also were fairly fearless.



The species that surprised me the most was the Willets. They acted like they hang out with people all the time. Made for some nice close shots.



I began the post with a Black-bellied Plover and I will bookend this thing with another which was one of the last shots I took before I headed back to cross Tampa Bay and rejoin the family.



A very excellent morning with the birds. Can't wait to see what 2013 might bring!

Sanibel Island, Take 1

The wife and I finally took a vacation. All 2 1/2 days of it.

We headed to Sanibel for a little break. I haven't been there since I was a child when I lived in Key West. The tales of tons of shells has always been the draw. Now, beach combers are on the shores from sunrise to sunsets (and beyond) so the chances of finding nice shells just there on the beach is very diminished.

It was soon discovered, however, that by walking out a bit into the shallow waters you can start to feel some shells under you feet just under the sand. We spent numerous hours lying in the two-foot water scooping through the sand as we soaked up some rays.

We came back with some nice unbroken specimens. Some of the best were still occupied so we had to return them to their homes. Shadow boxes are in the planning stages.

The hardest part for me was not having the camera attached to me at all times. Especially with some birds cruising the beach in great light. I complied with the restraint for a lot of the trip.

I did get to take a few pictures on a couple of strolls, though.

We also made a stop out at Ding Darling, my first stop there ever, but the birds were not as plentiful as I was hoping for. Made some ID shots of Red Knots and herons but the numbers I had read about in the past were just not there.

One bird that was in close range was this Anhinga way up in a mangrove tree.



The birds tempting me the most were the few shorebirds that were fairly oblivious to all of the human activity. There was a Black-bellied Plover hanging out close to us on day one that I just really wanted a shot of. Fortunately, it was still there when we took a walk later in the day.



Also feeding along the waves were several Willet. I think this may one of my favorite shots of one in a while.



The other fun birds were some terns feeding off-shore and the Brown Pelicans that were diving for fish mere feet from us during the stay.



For time to time we were also graced with visits from porpoise feeding just a little farther out in the waves.

At night I would take some lighthouse shots and we planned to make the rounds of the island again tomorrow. That will be part two.