Fun things at Sand Key Park

On September 2, 2026August 25, 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.

Wearing your heart on your head.

On February 14, 2026March 6, 2026 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

Here’s a bird that celebrates Valentine’s Day every day with that heart on his head. I was out for a bike ride on the Pinellas Trail in November. This part of the trail goes between cow pastures for several miles and sandhill cranes are common here all year.

I saw 3 couples along the trail this morning.

I saw several eagles this morning as well. This one was sitting on the tower that has it’s nest in it. The parents were already doing some rebuilding on this nest.

Farther down the trail I had an eagle circle over my head and land on a utility tower right in front of me.

I could see another eagle landing on the tower next to it and sat for a while. I was hoping they would end up on the same tower but that didn’t happen while I was there.

Cows have been grazing on the farthest pasture. I miss them being much closer to the trail. I don’t see them often anymore since they are much farther back.

I was taking a break on my way back and was looking at the sun coming through the old oak trees. I saw movement high up on the branches and I’m glad I looked twice because it wasn’t a common gray squirrel.

I zoomed in with my camera and realized it was a fox squirrel. I only see them on this trail and not very often. Look at those front teeth!

Bitter melon (also called bitter gourd) is an invasive plant in Florida. It’s common to see along fencing and I usually see bugs on it. It’s pretty when it splits open and you can see the red seeds.

I’m not sure what this is but it was growing along the trail.

I was almost back to my car when I saw something gray on the wire far out in the pasture. At first I thought it was a dove but when it started flying around I could see the peach color under the wings and that forked tail. I knew it was a scissor tail flycatcher. I was able to get some shots of it flying around and coming back with a bug for a snack. He’s really pretty.

Color in early December

On January 2, 2023January 3, 2023 By dinajohnstonIn flowers and plants2 Comments

I was out for a walk at Hammock Park in early December. I wasn’t expecting to find any birds so I was just out enjoying the walk with my phone. We hadn’t had much rain so the creeks along the trails had only a trickle of water.

There were small bursts of color if you look closely.

Built in 1888, this small chapel is now used for weddings, memorials and other small ceremonies. It sits at the entrance of the park. It’s a cute little church but I have not had the chance to go inside yet.