Swooning over a Spoonbill

I am so very happy to finally be putting out a blog post! This summer blogging has taken a back seat to more pressing matters. Building our new home in Indiana has been a priority over the last few months. Bruce and his crew have been working diligently on the construction and the house is really starting to take shape. Though most of our time has been spent in the country working on the house, we have yet to acquire internet service. I have greatly missed reading all of your beautiful blogs, writing comments and putting out posts of my own. Most importantly and sadly, my wonderful Dad passed away at the beginning of August. It has been a difficult time for me and my family, but we have taken great comfort in all the kindness, support and generosity from family and friends.

I recently spent a few days in Longboat Key, Florida. Though the trip was not for pleasure, I managed to find a couple of minutes here and there to venture out with my camera. The highlight of my outings was finally being able to view a Roseate Spoonbill from a close distance. Over the past few years I have been enamoured by this elusive blushed pink bird. Until recently I was only able to catch a passing glimpse of a spoonbill. Oh what a joy it was to observe this cool bird with the odd shaped bill. This post features photographs of lovely feathered friends seen on my recent visit to Longboat Key and a few from past trips.

A splendid sight ~ Roseate Spoonbill

 

 

One of many Northern Mockingbirds seen on Longboat Key

 

 

The stunning plumage of a Tricolored Heron

 

 

A striking Great Egret seeks prey in the shallows

 

 

Soaking up the morning sun ~ Turkey Vulture

 

 

A statuesque Great Blue Heron has hunting success

 

 

Two pretty Willets spend a late afternoon at the beach

 

 

Looking out over Sarasota Bay ~ Snowy Egret

A beautiful White Ibis forages for food in the pond

 

 

A common sight on Longboat Key ~ Osprey

 

 

Drying feathers amongst the mangrove leaves ~ Anhinga

 

 

One last look at the Roseate Spoonbill

 

 

Birds of Paradise

The winter season has been slow to start here in Chicago. Up until two days ago, our weather has been very spring-like. Currently, as I gaze out the window, I see six inches of pristine snow blanketing our lawn, bushes and trees. The air is crisp at 20 degrees. Winds are brisk. Winter has finally arrived.

During January and February, the coldest months of the year, I spend less time outdoors photographing birds because of the frigid temperatures and frequent snowy days. I really do miss meandering though nature preserves, strolling around ponds and scaling small sand dunes. With this post, I thought I would warm up a bit and revisit our recent vacation destination, the gulf coast of Florida. Truly a tropical paradise! Below I feature many of the lovely birds seen on our two week trip.

The magnificent wings of an Osprey ~ It appears as if this female was eyeing me as if I were prey!

Pretty Northern Mockingbirds are a common sight on Longboat Key

The freshly fluffed plumage of a Wood Stork

A lithe Greater Yellowlegs seeks nourishment in the shallows

We delighted in watching this juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron stalk crabs on the beach

A stunning Snowy Egret looks out over the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Two feisty Great Egrets engage in a territorial dispute

A dainty Black-bellied Plover escapes the frothy waves of the Gulf

Little Blue Herons are often seen hunting in Sarasota Bay

A Yellow-crowned Night Heron wades the bay waters in search of prey

Crouched and ready for take off ~ Great Blue Heron



Reflections

This post is part 2 of a series featuring many lovely birds seen while vacationing in Longboat Key, Florida, a beautiful tropical paradise.

An elegant Snowy Egret casts a most resplendent reflection

A striking Great Blue Heron enjoys a beautiful day at the pond

A pretty Snowy Egret shows off its lovely feathers

Two White Ibises preen at the water's edge

A sightly Great Heron wades in the shallows

A Northern Shoveler delights in a morning swim

The stunning reflection of a Mute Swan

The perfect mirror image of a Wood Stork

A delicate Snowy Egret in flight

A most pleasing Tri-colored Heron

The appealing reflection of a Great Heron

The golden reflection of the setting sun shows off the lovely silhouette of a Great Heron

Suncoast Splendor

Good-bye Chicago! From our airplane seats we bid adieu to gray overcast skies, gangly barren trees, burdensome, bulky winter clothing and temperatures that evoke teeth chattering shivers. Our aircraft heads southward to lush tropical foliage, white powdery  beaches and sunshine filled days. Two hours later, we eagerly disembark the plane, greeted by balmy temperatures, rustling palm fronds, idle watercraft bobbing in the harbors and a blazing sun dipping slowly below the horizon.  Ahh ... we have arrived in paradise!

Luggage is collected, car rented and we journey off on a brief drive to our destination, beautiful Longboat Key, Florida. Though the last bit of daylight is waning, I can't help but notice the stunning silhouettes of elegant waders against the cool, reflective waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. I bubble over with excitement at the opportunity to view and photograph Florida's beautiful avian life over the next 12 days.

This is my first entry in a series of posts featuring the lovely birds of the suncoast.

A magnificent Osprey ruffles its feathers while perched atop the remnants of an old tree

A stunning Great Blue Heron shows off its impressive wings while aloft over the beautiful blue waters of Sarasota Bay

Fluffed and feisty, this Snowy Egret makes its way rapidly across the rocks

Two lovely White Ibises share a quiet moment at the water's edge in the late afternoon

A sunkissed Willet waits for the gentle waves of the gulf to recede

Also known as the snakebird, this Anhinga perches upon a branch drying its impressive wings

Often seen along mangrove edges, a Yellow-crowned Night-heron looks out over the bay

A slender Tricolored Heron wades in the pond seeking a tasty treat

A dainty Snowy Egret gingerly navigates the pond shallows

A tiny Sanderling chases the ebbing waves in search of mollusks, sand crabs and other crustaceans