Out on the beach

Posted on August 13, 2020 by dinajohnston

Lots of shorebirds at Fort Desoto in early June. It felt good to be out stretching my legs along the shoreline. Even though it was hot there was a good breeze coming off the gulf.

It’s always fun to see marbled godwits with those pink toothpick beaks.

The crow was mistaking the trash for food.

A crab coming up on shore when the tide went out. He made it back in though.

Jump! A great blue heron taking off from the roof of the pier cover.

A nice morning to be outside.

I heard this cicada screaming from the mangroves near the pier. I found him pretty quickly. Such a weird loud critter.

SkyWatch Friday

Fort Desoto Park shorebirds

Posted on January 27, 2018 by dinajohnston

Lots of little critters on the wrack line at Fort Desoto in last September.

The usual things at Fort Desoto

Posted on November 27, 2017 by dinajohnston

Quiet sleepy morning at Fort Desoto.

Pelicans were hanging out everywhere.

Shorebirds were everywhere.

Not much going on in late October.

Our World Tuesday Graphic image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup

Honeymoon Island beach before the tourists get here.

Posted on April 20, 2017 by dinajohnston

After walking the nature trail at Honeymoon Island State Park, I headed over to the beach to see if there were any shorebirds hanging around.

The usual birds were there: marbled godwits, royal terns and dowitchers.

The waves were splashing over the jetties. It was fun to be out in one of the last cool windy days before the heat sets in (and the tourists).

SkyWatch Friday

Shorebirds on the beach

Posted on February 8, 2017 by dinajohnston

Semipalmated plover

Marbled godwits (the avocet photobombed the last shot).

Royal terns

A few shorebirds on the shore. Only down here in Florida we call it a beach. So really, they should be called beachbirds. Found on the “beach” on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

Pink toothpick beaks

Posted on September 16, 2015 by dinajohnston

Most of the marbled godwits were napping when I got to Fort Desoto early on a Saturday morning. I did see one still feeding across the marsh. I watched him for a while. Popping tiny crabs in his beak. After about 10 minutes, he stopped digging around for crabs and started preening his feathers. It was time to move on.

On the beach in early August

Posted on August 17, 2014 by dinajohnston

A great egret getting a fish.

Sanderlings running around as usual.

Willet taking off.

There’s usually a reddish egret on the beach.

Tiny plover showing off his crab breakfast.

The beach was full of plovers this morning.

A marbled godwit in the water.

A black bellied plover.

The oystercatcher couple was in their usual spot.

Nothing unusual at the north beach tip at Fort Desoto in early August. I had heard red knots were moving through the area but no sign of them on the morning I was there. This was a quick visit. It was just too hot even with the sea breeze.

Mandarin Orange Monday

Shorebirds at Fort Desoto in July

Posted on August 11, 2014 by dinajohnston

A marbled godwit trying to sleep in the middle of dowitchers.

A lost oystercatcher. “Excuse me, can someone tell me where the restroom is?”

A few willets mixed in.

Giving me the eye.

A shorebird convention.

“Can you please keep your peeping down? Us oystercatchers are trying to sleep.”

A young laughing gull.

A “loud as usual” laughing gull.

Dowitchers busy looking for breakfast.

Taking a break from the crowd.

I think this is a Forester’s tern in non-breeding colors. Could also be a common tern.

Shorebirds are starting to move through the area. For the past month, there’s been almost no birds at the north beach marsh at Fort Desoto. When I went in late July, the marsh area was starting to fill up with birds. Mostly dowitchers, willets and marbled godwits. It was the usual hot sunny perfect morning on the beach.

Check out more pictures at Our World Tuesday Our World Tuesday Graphic

Also, check out more birds at Paying Ready Attention for

On the beach in early April.

Posted on April 27, 2014 by dinajohnston

It’s always fun watching a skimmer taking a bath.

Splashing around like a kid in a bathtub.

“Clean your underarms” I told him.

Face in the water.

All done.

That’s a little too close.

Royal terns are showing up on the beach with their summer hat on. During breeding season the top of their head is all black. During winter, they have mostly white on their head with a little gray on the sides.

Willet shaking it off.

Marbled godwit digging for snacks.

I think these are dunlins in non-breeding feathers.

Oystercatcher taking a nap. It’s amazing how they can sleep on one foot. I couldn’t sleep on one foot much less standing up.

Just a few birds I found out on the beach in early April when I was waiting for the baby owl to decide whether he wanted to fly or not. I know people stand there for hours waiting for “that” shot but I have to get out and walk around.

Dina's Wildlife Adventures

Tag Archives: marbled godwit