A Great Crested Flycatcher scans the scene, looking for a bug small enough to eat between all the large dragonflies.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Royal Tern banks and turns to avoid other terns as it brings a fish to its fledgling.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birdinflight

A Double-crested Cormorant flares its wings, showing some ragged feathers in the process, as it comes in for a landing.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birdinflight

This Roseate Spoonbill stands calmly in the low waters, pondering his next move

#bird #birds #birding #birdingInFlorida #birdphoto #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

... like he just don't care as this Royal Tern starts to land.

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A Black Skimmer snaps its bill shut while it was hunting, coming up empty this time.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birdinflight

A young Black-crowned Night Heron creeps along a small branch, trying to stay hidden.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

An osprey rests on a tree with his latest catch.

A Sandhill Crane visits the ball field near Keller Water Treatment Plant

#bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Red-shouldered Hawk beats his wings hard, trying to climb and gain speed as he takes off from a low perch.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nikon #nikonz9 #nikkor500pf #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

#birdinflight

A Black Skimmer, having out maneuvered another, calls out, seeming to jeer at the other's loss.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

#birdinflight

A Semipalmated Plover sprints across the beach, foraging for food.

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A Tricolored Heron stands upright with a near-perfect reflection in the still water.

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This little Semipalmated Plover cruises to another spot on the beach after being chased by another.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Nikon #NikonZ9 #birdinflight

A Wilson's Plover stands on the beach with his shadow beside him.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Carolina Chickadee forages amongst the dead branches looking for a tasty snack.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Black Skimmer comes up with something that is not a fish from his latest skim

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Semipalmated Plover comes very close to examine us as we photography them.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Nikon #NikonZ9

This Cattle Egret is in a slightly strange setting -- the lakeshore!

#bird #birdphotography #birding #birdinginflorida #cattleegret #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A flock of American Avocets take to the sky from Howard Park

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Tricolored Heron perches atop a sunlit branch.

A Royal Tern speeds by carrying a fish.

#bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Great Blue Heron wanders through drainage ditches looking for a good meal.

A Red-shouldered Hawk perches on a sunny branch.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nikon #nikonz9 #nikkor500pf #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Quirky colours of the sponge docks | Tarpon Springs

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

I always feel like I'm interrupting them when they look at me like this.

#bird #birdphotography #nature #naturephotographt #wildlife #wildlifphotography

A beautiful Prairie Warbler pops up to say hello.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Nikon #NikonZ9

An Anhinga dries its feathers in the late morning sun after a swim

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“The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night or something said long ago.”

~ Louis Armstrong

On the Gulf of Mexico, near Tarpon Springs, Florida. We happened upon a small park known mostly only to locals. And the name of the Park you might ask? "Sunset Park of course."

Things are good AND busy in Central Florida. The Bug made it's way around to everyone, with me the last to "go down". Starting to feel more like myself now.

Wishing everyone a great weekend.

View Stairs to the Moonlight On Black

A Black Skimmer just before it places its unique bill just below the surface of the water.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Reddish Egret pauses his foraging as he looks towards the sunset.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Nikon #NikonZ9 #Z9

This Reddish Egret does his best imitation of Daniel LaRusso as he forages for a catch.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Nikon #NikonZ9

A Wood Stork lets out a big yawn in the tall grass.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

After waiting and watching from atop a power pole, quietly gliding away -- maybe to a new prize?

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

We are at the port of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Tarpon Springs is the sponge capital of the world. It was founded by Greek sponge divers in 1905.

The first ones came from the Saronic Gulf islands of Aegina and Hydra. They were soon outnumbered by those of the Aegean (Dodecanese) islands of Kalymnos, Symi and Halki.

The pelicans are patiently waiting for the Two Georges - the deep sea fishing boat to return. As soon as it does, they usually have a feast of whatever "seafood" items are made available to them by the passengers.

Thanks!

A Least Sandpiper walks up to where I'm set up and scopes out the situation.

A Great Egret spears a fish on his beak and brings it ashore to eat.

#bird #birds #birding #birdinginflorida #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

A Red-shouldered Hawk looks back in annoyance as we loud humans go by.

A Pileated Woodpecker clings to the side of a snag as he forages.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Unlike us, this Greater Yellowlegs doesn't mind a bit of sand on his food.

This Little Blue Heron is taking it's time to wade through and hunt the grasses on the water's edge.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

This isn't wood!

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Nikon #NikonZ9

Roseate Spoonbills always appear to have a sly grin to me.

#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Tarpon Springs, Florida