Back in mid-October I was out early, heading to Fort Desoto Park to hopefully see some winter birds. This was my first trip back since May.  As I drove into the park (it opens at 7am) I paused on the bridge since no one was behind me to snap the above with my phone. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was still lit up.

By the time I made it to East Beach and hiked out on the beach the sunlight was starting to show and I could barely see the lights on the bridge.

The low clouds along the bridge kept the sun from popping out early but casted some cool rays along the sky. I didn’t want to wait for the sun to come up past the clouds so I headed to North beach after this shot.

Out on North beach the sky had a pink and orange tint before the sun came up over the beach.

The sun was coming up over the trees as I walked far up Outback Key.

At the tip of Outback Key. It was a long walk back to the parking area.

I didn’t see any winter birds except for a few white pelicans (more on those later). All of the usual birds were there including a few reddish egrets that always show off when they are dancing for their food.

I always stop by the long gulf fishing pier before leaving and the area was busy with big ship traffic.

A few dolphins along the pier.