It was a perfect morning to be at Fort Desoto Park. I had not been down to the park since early February and that was a quick trip to the pier to look for the Pacific loon. It was time for spring migration and I heard some birds had stopped by the park on their way north for the summer.
A quick sunrise stop at the East Beach turnaround is a must. I snapped these with my phone before heading to woods to look for some birds.
My foot was still bothering me in late April but I was determined to see some colorful birds. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the mangrove bushes and trees behind the ranger’s house. I first saw both a female and male rose breasted grosbeak. They were both up high in the fig tree feasting on the tiny berries.
Baltimore orioles were abundant. It was easy to spot that bright orange bird.
I also found several Orchard orioles including a female (in yellow) and males (in brown). These guys were feeding on the mangroves along the road through the park. Everyone was pulling their car off the road and standing or sitting (me) on the ground watching the birds bounce around the huge mangrove bushes.
I only saw one blue grosbeak this spring migration season and he was hiding.
Of course northern parulas are easy to find.
There were several scarlet tanagers feeding in the fig tree by the flag pole.
This Cape May was posing for me.
There were a lot of indigo buntings this morning. I took a ton of pictures of them but it was hard not to say “Oh yeah, I see those in my backyard”.
It was a fun morning and felt good to be out with my fellow birders. There’s always a big crowd during spring migration here, even on the weekdays if there’s good fall out. That’s okay because there were more eyes to help look for things. I still didn’t find the Nashville warbler which would have been a first for me but my foot gave out after 2 hours so I headed home. I was back 2 days later though. More on that to come.
Lovely shots, Dina. Thanks for sharing them with us this week at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/07/a-visit-to-sarah-p-duke-garden.html
Wonderful sunset and bird photos. You found some great birds to photograph. Well done.
So many beautiful birds! I am loving all their beautiful colors.
Spring migration at the Fort!
Color abounds. In the trees as well as across the water. Your series is a great example of why so many birders flock to the park.
What a beautiful place!! the Sun photos are amazing!
This post was just thrilling to me! Very fitting that you use the word perfect and you’re opening words your morning sun photos over the water, and all of these mind-blowing birds really work my brain up! Thank you so much. I hope you dear foot heels completely and very soon. Aloha
What pretty birds and great shots. thanks for bringing them to the #SSPS
WOW, as a nature person, this is absolutely outstanding. Thank you for sharing our SSPS logo and thank you from your SSPS Team for sharing your links with us at #270 SSPS Linky.
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Beautiful!
Thanks for taking us along on your outing with this photos – I needed a little vicarious birding trip this morning!