Critters on my November walks

In early November I was out walking along the Safety Harbor waterfront. The fishing pier that was destroyed by the hurricanes (in late 2024) was getting close to being finished. On this morning they still had to put the rails up and finish the end but the birds were enjoying the pilings.

This anhinga was trying to chill on the boardwalk so I took a quick video from far away and left.

Another morning I was out at Philippe Park, climbing the stairs. Those rock piles in the top picture (just above the railing) are man-made oyster beds that were installed to help the oysters grow here and help with erosion. Oysters are natural water filters and will help keep the water in the top of the bay clean.

I’m finding these little shells all over the place.

Another morning I was out on the Dunedin causeway and stopped to watch the shorebirds flying back and forth. It looks like these are sanderlings.

I was able to catch some of them landing. These are mostly ruddy turnstones and short billed dowitchers.

Another morning and I’m out at the Dunedin marina. I walked north towards the Weaver Park fishing pier. The pier is still closed due to damage from the hurricanes (the end was torn off). It is slated to be rebuilt in 2027.

Walking back to my car I could see an immature eagle (he still had a lot of brown on his head). He was chasing an osprey with a fish. I was wishing I had my camera.

The eagle and osprey went behind some trees and somehow the fish was taken from the osprey. The eagle landed in a nearby tree and was trying to eat his prize.

Both the osprey and crows were diving at the eagle. It’s not like either or going to get that fish from the eagle. The eagle moved farther into the tree and started to eat.

My last view of the eagle before heading back to my car. I don’t see this often.

Saturday's Critters

 

Here Kitty, Kitty

dsc_8735

I had just walked out on the trail and was looking at the big group of people farther down the trail when something caught my eye.  One of the rarely seen bobcats was slowing walking right down the trail towards me. When he realized I was standing there he darted into the bushes.

dsc_8743

dsc_8751

dsc_8757

I looked backward and he came out farther down the trail. At first I thought I was just going to get butt shots but he turned around to inspect something for a few seconds then darted back into the bushes again. It was just a fleeting moment.  These were all taken with my 300mm lens and are extremely cropped so he was pretty far away.

dsc_8822

dsc_8880

Lots of slow movers out this morning.

dsc_8889

I don’t see many of these big silk orb weavers like I did several years ago.

dsc_8861

Empty apple snail eggs liter the marsh.  Limpkins eat these.

A fun walk in early December at Circle B Bar Reserve.