Birds at the beach

On August 10, 2026August 10, 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 cloudy windy winter morning

On March 4, 2024April 30, 2024 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography5 Comments

A few days after I briefly spotted the rare western flycatcher I went back to Sand Key Park to see if I could get a better view. It was reported that he was still there but after looking for an hour I came up empty. The morning wasn’t a total loss though. The above ovenbird and house wren came out and posed for me. The house wren is common here in the winter but I don’t see ovenbirds often. He was a cutie!

I decided to take a quick walk on the beach before leaving. It wasn’t a nice day out and the wind was blasting.

The beach was pretty empty which is rare here.

There were several guys trying to catch some waves. They spent most of the time I was there bobbing on their surfboards but this guy got up a few times.

Off in the distance I could see someone getting ready to kiteboard. The old lifeguard stand is falling apart. It looks recently painted but the stairs had come off.

The clouds were getting darker and the water was choppy. Clearwater Beach is across the pass.

Cormorants all lined up under the bridge. I walked over to the intercoastal side of the park and walked along the sea wall under the bridge. I’ve seen dolphins here before but none this morning.

The snowy egrets were dancing around the top of the water and snatching bait fish.

Scenes from Fort Desoto

On July 18, 2022July 7, 2022 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography, Florida animals4 Comments

The dolphin show at Fort Desoto Park in mid-May. The water was clear so you could see them before they were coming up for air and they were swimming close to the fishing pier.

I found this calico crab on the beach early that morning. It was low tide but the water was starting to come up. At first I though maybe he was dead but then I saw bubbles coming out of his face. I was going to nudge him close to the deeper water but he stood up and started heading that way on his own. It looks like he has a critter in a shell living on top of him.

A juvenile little blue heron dunking for fish.

Scenes from the fishing pier.

I walked up to the top of the fort hoping to find some migrating birds up at the top but all I found was a cardinal on a dead snag. He had a great view.

View from the beach.

Standing near the northern end of the beach you can see the hotels on St. Pete beach, about a 20 minute drive north.

Trying to get sunset pictures

On December 31, 2020December 11, 2020 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography5 Comments

I ran out after work to try and get some sunset pictures since it was sunny at my house but 15 minutes away and the clouds were out. I thought I would try and work on my long exposure shots but couldn’t seem to get them right. The shots were either too dark and the water didn’t look like silk or they were too blown out. I didn’t really like any of the ones I came home with. Going to try again when the sun it out.