Fun things at Sand Key Park

On September 2, 2026October 8, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography4 Comments

I was out at Sand Key Park in April right as the sun was coming up over the trees. I was hoping spring migration was getting better and I’d see a few more birds than I saw on my last trip here a few weeks earlier.

A nice surprise was seeing a black throated green warbler in the mangroves. I hadn’t seen one since 2017.

A few usual migraters were there including the blackpoll warbler and the American redstart. But, it was still a slow morning with only the few birds above. This year was a really slow migration so far.

Of course there are always tons of palm warblers and they always pose nicely.

A flock of brown pelicans fly high up in the beautiful sky.

A typical Florida shot, a great blue heron posing on a pine tree.

A Cooper’s hawk had a nest nearby with babies but it was well hidden so all I got was the Dad hanging out.

Blooming along the sandy trail included beach sunflowers, bitter gourd (or bitter melon) and morning glory.

I saw lots of rabbits this morning.

“Run bunny run!” I yelled as one took off into the bushes.

Birds at the beach

On August 10, 2026September 5, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography, Tampa bay sights3 Comments

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.

A January walk in Tarpon Springs

On April 27, 2026May 7, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography, Tampa bay sights3 Comments

In early January I was out for a walk at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs. I like walking here in the winter because I can walk along the water and the traffic to the beach is low since it’s too cold for most people to go to the beach. The tide was super low this morning. I could see the smaller Sunset Beach Park across the water.

This guy on a skateboard knew how to give his dogs a better walk with minimal effort.

Cormorants like to hang out on this small jetty on the causeway.

Pretty beach sunflowers on the beach.

Kayaks ready to go out. Maybe later.

Looking back when I’m almost back to my car.

I stopped by Craig Park on the way home and the Epiphany boats were still in the water. The city of Tarpon Springs celebrates the Epiphany in a big way here. You can read about my post when I attended the celebration in 2022 here.

Dina's Wildlife Adventures

Tag: beach sunflowers

Fun things at Sand Key Park

Birds at the beach

A January walk in Tarpon Springs