Birds at the beach

On August 10, 2026August 10, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography, Tampa bay sightsLeave a comment

I was out at Sand Key Park in mid-April hoping to see some migrating birds. It was still a little early for peak spring migration and so far it was mostly a bust. Only a few birds dropping by, not a big fall out so far.

The beach sunflowers were blooming along the trails.

Many of the usual winter-into-spring birds were there including a white eyed vireo, a northern parula and a blue-gray gnatcatcher.

The only migrating bird I saw was a quick look at a prairie warbler.

Rabbits were everywhere.

An osprey eating in the middle of the pine trees.

Zooming in on his yummy fish.

A juvenile osprey was watching from a nearby tree. Probably the offspring of the one above, hoping for a snack but he’s old enough to be getting his own food. The young ones have white spots on the end of the their feathers and orange eyes.

An eastern kingbird was sitting high on a snag.

Looking at Clearwater Beach across the water. That view has changed over the years with so many high rise hotels.

While it’s quiet early in the morning, it will be packed by lunchtime.

It was still early for spring migration so there was still hope for a big fall out.

Visitors to the neighborhood eagle’s nest

On August 8, 2026July 24, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography2 Comments

It was mid-February and I was still spending a few mornings at the eagle’s nest in my neighborhood.

The babies looked fully grown but they were still practicing their flapping, building up those wing muscles.

There are so many other fun things to see at the nest. One morning a kestrel couple landed right in front of me and then started mating. She looked over at me like “Can I get some help here?”

Most mornings I see nanday parakeets, or at least hear them go screaming by. This morning a few of them landed on the wires and trees nearby.

They were chewing on the bark of an old pine tree. I couldn’t tell if they were eating the bark or eating the bugs off the bark.

They stayed a short while then took off across the field.

This was a special morning seeing a deer couple so close. They walked along the utility field but stopped right in front of me.

The beautiful buck started eating right in front of me. I did step behind a big oak tree when they walked up but he could still see me. We don’t get those big antlers often in our neighborhood.

After a while she ducked into the reeds along the utility field and he took off across the street.

April skies from the yard.

On August 5, 2026August 5, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn Tampa bay sights8 Comments

Sunset across the street from my house in early April.

The Pink Moon (refers to the blossoms blooming in April) from the front and back yard and taken with my phone.

Storms were brewing but we got very little rain in April.

A cloudy sunset over the pond across the street.

The sun going down on the gators across the street. Some nights there are two.

Reflection in the mirror

On August 3, 2026July 22, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography2 Comments

I got to Folly Farms in early April around 8am. As I got out of the car I noticed a bluebird sitting on a nearby car. He didn’t seem shy and stayed there as I walked over.

I think he was staring at himself in the reflection. I knew cardinals do this but didn’t realize bluebirds did. Where was his girlfriend? Probably still sitting on the nest waiting for him to bring in worms.

A starling posing on a tree. They look pretty when the sun shines on them.

Birds were scarce but I did see a cedar waxwing fly off and a yellow throated vireo was far away.

These grasshoppers were everywhere. They were still young ones (they turn yellow when they get bigger). They were eating through the plants in one part of the butterfly garden. I’m not sure if they will spray or just let nature take it’s course.

When I got back to my car the bluebird was on my car.

I waited a few minutes and he kept flying into the side mirror. Maybe he thought he was fighting off another male?

Osprey twins

On August 1, 2026July 22, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography2 Comments

I knew there was an osprey nest at the Dunedin marina. Right in the middle of the marina. The last time I was there I didn’t see any babies so a week later, in early April, I stopped again but only had my phone. After a few minutes I saw an osprey fly in but she didn’t have anything in her talons.

A quick video of her flying in. Once she landed I saw two babies pop up. They were awake now!

After a few minutes she dug around and found some leftover fish in the nest and started feeding them. That light in the post is now on for good. It’s on a sensor to turn on and the nest covers it up so the light thinks it’s dark all of the time.

I could barely see her feeding them. I knew I was going to have to come back with my camera and long lens.

Dad was nearby watching from the top of a boat.

More shots of the damaged fishing pier being torn down.

Behind the hotel at the marina I could see laughing gulls diving for bait fish up against the sea wall.

A walk through the park

On July 29, 2026August 7, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography6 Comments

In early April we were in a drought. Some of the ponds at Chesnut Park were dried up and choking with vegetation. The swampy areas along the back boardwalk still had some water but not much. You could see fallen trees that have been there for a long time.

The sun was out but most of the boardwalks here are shaded.

We had some rain the night before and the resurrection fern was in full green early the next morning. It really makes the old oak trees pop but the ferns will turn brown by the next day until it rains again.

All of the usual birds were there including a singing Carolina wren, a juvenile little blue heron and a coot with a snack hanging out of his beak.

Purple gallinules were close to the dock this morning.

They eat the blooms on the spadderdock.

The red winged blackbirds were eating bugs off the leaves in the lake.

Another hot sunny day!

Color around the yard

On July 27, 2026August 7, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography, flowers and plantsLeave a comment

There were so many things blooming in the yard by mid-March. The gardenia bush blooms only for a few weeks here. I wish it continued through the summer since it smells so good by the front door.

The bluebirds were still working on a nest. That silly lady couldn’t understand why she couldn’t get those long sticks through the holes.

Mr Bluebird was nearby, shaking his head and probably laughing.

Northern parulas were always in the backyard. They have such a distinct sound and that bright yellow chest is easy to spot.

I was outside in the back and saw an osprey fly by and land on a tree across the fairway. I grabbed my camera and walked a little closer and he took off. I think he was looking to catch some fish in the tiny pond nearby.

A swallowtail kite flew by as well.

White ibis come through the yard often. They are always pecking around in people’s yard and many locals call them “Florida chickens”. Someone is feeding them nearby because they will come up to the back door if they see me in the window. They are always looking for a handout.

Beneficial little green critters in the backyard. Both the Mabel’s Orchard Orb Weaver (in the first two shots) and the long legged fly are good at keeping tiny pest at bay.

We don’t often get cloudscape sunsets in late March since there isn’t a lot of rain but this night was perfect.

Close up with manatees

On July 25, 2026August 7, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn zoo animals3 Comments

The bushes were in full bloom during my visit to Zoo Tampa at the end of March.

Unfortunately these guys were all over the railings. These are tussock moth caterpillars and they can give you a nasty sting or rash if you brush up against them. I’m assuming the zoo doesn’t want to spray chemicals all over with animals nearby but maybe they could hose down the railings in the morning? You had to watch were you leaned. They are only around for a week or two.

Fun birds in the aviary.

The flamingos were very active. I couldn’t tell if they were flirting or fighting.

They were honking pretty loud.

The baby colobus monkey was playing.

The manatees were eating right under me. There was a young one on the left.

The duck was being lazy while eating, sitting on the back of the manatee.

Here was the main reason I came this morning. The underwater viewing building had just been remodeled and reopened up after being closed for several months. I got to the zoo when it opened and headed straight for the building because I knew later in the day it would be packed. I was able to see them eating right in front of the windows.

Watching a manatee eating that yummy lettuce.

A turtle came right up to the window. I think we had a moment together.

The water and the windows were so clear. All of these manatees are rescues and are rehabilitated here and then released. Most are injuries from boat strikes or cold stunned (that make them sick) during exceptionally cold winters like the one we just had.

They now have a live webcam of the underwater viewing area and you can watch them swim around here.

Have you ever seen a duck eating lettuce from underneath? It was funny to watch her beak bobbing up and down in the water.

A foggy start to my bike ride

On July 22, 2026August 7, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography7 Comments

At the end of March I woke up to a foggy morning and almost didn’t go out for an early bike ride. I went out anyway and when I got to the north end of the Pinellas Trail the sun was already coming out of the fog. As soon as I got on the trail I saw a nice fogbow on one side of the trail and the sun coming up over the trees on the other side.

The sun was peeking through the trees along the horse pasture.

The fog made the spiderwebs stand out.

The sun coming up over the barn.

I could see a turkey far out in the pasture. He was strutting around but the ladies were too far away.

Is the grass really greener on the other side? Or maybe it just tastes better?

I love hearing the sound of the meadowlarks.

The grackle’s colors really stood out in the sun.

On the other side of the cow pasture I could see the 2 juvenile bald eagles. One was really flapping his wings.

Farther down the trail I saw another bald eagle. This one looked to be about a year old with those white spots, probably born here last winter.

A kildeer was sitting on eggs in the dirt. These guys nest on the ground.

Walking at my favorite spots.

On July 20, 2026August 7, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography2 Comments

I was out at the Dunedin marina in mid-March for an early morning walk. The city is finally fixing the pier that was damaged from the hurricanes in late 2024. They were taking the entire pier down before rebuilding it. They’ve been working on the rebuilding the sea wall along the marina for months but it seems to be slow going.

When I got out in front of the sailing center I could see dolphins far out in the water.

Watching a pelican dive for food.

A few days later I was walking along the waterfront in Safety Harbor. The fishing pier here is almost finished.

Reflections in the water.

When I first got to the waterfront I could see a crab trapper going by. The pelicans usually follow them hoping for a handout when they pull the traps up but I doubt those guys give up a single crab.

Back at the Dunedin marina a few days later and the purple martins were busy working on their nests in the nest condo.

The osprey were busy with their nest and I think they were sitting on eggs.