One last look at skimmers for the summer

On September 29, 2014September 30, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography16 Comments

Soon the black skimmers will be hard to find for the winter. These were all taken back in late July at Fort Desoto. They were hanging around the beach near the fishing pier.

They look so graceful when they are skimming.

Scratching an itch.

Taking a bath.

Splashing around.

Drying off.

Showing off for the laughing gull. “My wings are bigger than yours.”

Out on the water trying to scoop up some bait fish.

They were all busy skimming for fish.

I was standing on the pier taking these pictures and a guy asked me what kind of birds these were. I said “They were skimmers.” He said “Why do they call them skimmers.” I politely explained that they skim the top of the water for fish but really, do they need an explanation if you see them in action?

Check out more pictures at Our World Tuesday Our World Tuesday Graphic

Also, check out more birds at Paying Ready Attention for

On the side of the road

On September 27, 2014September 27, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography, Florida animals, Tampa bay sights6 Comments

I had heard there were a few avocets in a field near Cockroach Bay. Since I still haven’t seen these birds, I figured I would drive the almost hour trip to try to find them. The field was covered with thousands of birds. There was only access to view the field on one side which faces directly into the sun. The rest of the field was fenced off. I looked for an hour and did not find the avocets. Most of the birds were least terns with a few sanderlings, plovers and starlings thrown in. Oh well, maybe one day.

I did see a belted kingfisher flying over a lake off in the distance.

This guy was sitting on the side of the road. I’m not sure if he was checking out a snack. He eventually flew off. I think this is a juvenile red shoulder hawk.

I was leaving the area to head back to town and saw a pair of sandhill cranes on the side of the road. Of course, I pull over and snapped a few pictures.

I love their “heart” heads.

Cows were chewing near the side of the road. I pulled off hoping to get the “cattle egret sitting on the back of the cow” shot. Not this time.

Another cow got curious and came close to the fence. He started to creep me out a little and I was going to jump back in my car but he turned around.

A brown cow farther back looked up with grass hanging out of his mouth.

#47 also had grass hanging out of his mouth.

You know it’s a slow day when I get excited about taking pictures of cows.

Heading home, I had to drive back over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. A quick stop at the rest area and I was home in less than an hour.

Linking up to Saturday’s Critters

Assorted flying things on pretty flowers

On September 14, 2014April 3, 2021 By dinajohnstonIn Florida animals15 Comments

Labor Day weekend was hot as usual. I headed out Saturday morning to the Florida Botanical Gardens to see if there were any flowers left that hadn’t wilted. There were a few still blooming. The gardens were almost empty of birds. Only a few osprey hanging around.

Shine the Divine Mandarin Orange Monday

Safety Harbor lightning – Skywatch Friday

On September 11, 2014September 4, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography8 Comments

I stopped by the Safety Harbor fishing pier on the way home recently and was kind of bummed the weather looked so bad. This was taken with my phone. I was thinking about jumping back in the car and going home but I thought I’d walk around the area for a few minutes.

The only bird I found there, other than a few laughing gulls flying over head.

The exposed sand along the seawall was covered in fiddler crabs. They are very skittish and kept running back in their little sand holes. I finally was able to get a few outside.

They are very tiny, this is extremely cropped.

Even with the threat of rain, there were a few people on the pier. Manatees were swimming close by but the water was too dark to get any pictures.

I realized it was raining north of the pier and lightning was popping up.

I only had my 70mm – 200mm lens with me and these were handheld.

There was a lady on the pier as well who was taking pictures and she had a lightning trigger on the top of her camera that automatically shot pictures when it detected lightning. I had not heard of that accessory but it might be a cool one to look into. That would mean I would have to spend more time standing around waiting for storms. On the weekends,whenever I hear thunder starting I think “I should pack up and go to the airport parking deck to try to get lightning pictures.” It’s hard to get out and do that. I’m usually getting dinner ready or doing chores. Maybe a new toy would motivate me. Anyone have any experience using one?

Check out more sky pictures at Skywatch Friday

As The World Terns

On September 10, 2014August 29, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography8 Comments

“Mom, pay attention. I’m hungry.”

“I said stop ignoring me and get me some fish or I’ll throw a big tantrum.”

“Oh brother, are they flirting?” says the juvenile sandwich tern in the back.

“We are family!”

“Make room for me!”

“Dad, mom said for me to tell you to go get me some fish.”

“Please!!!” says the juvenile on the right.

“Can we get some peace and quiet around here?”

“Here comes a dog. We’re outta here.”

The beach wasn’t covered with shorebirds since it was sunny when I got to Gandy beach after work. There was still a few people out walking around and swimming. I did manage to see a small flock of sandwich terns hanging out together. They were busy preening and bathing and wasn’t paying much attention to me sitting in the car. You would think a lot of drama was going on by the way they were yelling at each other. There were a few baby terns from this spring but now they are as big as the adults. Their beaks and legs aren’t as black as the adults yet. They can fly but I think they are still being fed by the parents. Soon, most of them will be gone heading south with the other migraters.

In the woods

On September 7, 2014September 7, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn Florida animals, flowers and plants12 Comments

Is it fall yet?

Butterfly

Weird things hanging off the fir tree.

End of summer.

Extremely cropped. A bee eating a dragonfly or the other way around?

The boardwalk was covered in creepy spiders.

Green on green.

End of season.

Fir in the swamp.

Taken with my phone. Sun peaking through the trees on the trail in the early morning.

More from my hot steamy walk at Lettuce Lake Park.

Mandarin Orange Monday Shine the Divine

Black bellied plovers having a spat

On September 3, 2014August 22, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography8 Comments

A cute black bellied plover in his breeding colors.

Then I see another one across the beach.

One of them started yelling at the other one.

Are they arguing about something? They have plenty of space.

A scuttle starts. Turf wars?

Or maybe he’s trying to make up?

They kept at it for a few minutes and then one of them flew off.

The winner?

I found the other one down by the water.

I counted 5 black bellied plovers at the north beach marsh at Fort Desoto in mid-August. I had not seen any in a while so I’m not sure if they are passing through and heading south for the winter. One couple was having a spat. They were chasing each other for a few minutes and then one flew off. I don’t know if they made up later. I hope so.