Suncoast Birds

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 and idle watercraft bobbing in the harbor. A blazing sun dips 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.

Two stunning Great Egrets engage in a territorial dispute

Pretty in pink ~ Roseate Spoonbill

A juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron scans the beach for crabs

A resplendent Tri-colored Heron exhibits interesting fishing behavior

Perched on a dead tree limb, a regal Osprey scans Sarasota Bay

A pretty White Ibis relaxes while soaking in the late afternoon sun

A Black-bellied Plover seeks sustenance in the Gulf of Mexico

A striking Red-shouldered Hawk shows off its stunning plumage

Three Black-bellied Whistling Ducks enjoy a quite morning at the pond

Poised at the tip of a branch ~ Loggerhead Shrike

Seeking prey in the shallows ~ Snowy Egret

The dusky midnight blue plumage of a Little Blue Heron

A prehistoric looking Wood Stork soars aloft

A female Belted-Kingfisher rests on a bare branch

The colorful profile of a handsome Great Blue Heron

Posted by Julie Gidwitz

Nature's Splendor ~  http://naturessplendor-julie.blogspot.com/