There was a drop-off in the sand from where this Ring-billed Gull was perched to the ocean.
He and a few pals were getting some end of day sun.
Typical of gulls, they were flapping around a bit while the waves were roiling around behind them.
I don’t remember if this is the same bird as the first picture, but it was nice he supplied me with another head profile shot.
St. Augustine Beach, FL
January 20, 2023
After sunrise didn’t make much of a show I walked the beach and this group of gulls was gathered at the tide line ahead of me.
Gulls At the BeachI suspected they would all fly as I wasn’t the only person on the beach, and some were jogging and others had dogs.
Skimmer With Gulls At the BeachThe gulls actually didn’t fly and the Black Skimmer made him self comfy in the crowd.
Skimmer With Gulls At the BeachI got one pretty good look at the Skimmer as he stepped away from the group working on their morning grooming. I glanced away for a second and when I turned back he was gone.
Skimmer At the BeachSt. Augustine Beach, FL
January 21, 2023
Staring at the ocean
St. Augustine Beach, FL
January 20, 2023
Good morning!
St. Augustine Beach, FL
January 21, 2023
The light changes quickly, these were taken about four minutes apart.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 14, 2022
October 14, 2022
For a few minutes I thought the sunrise was going to be a dud.
Slowly it looked a little more promising.
October 14, 2022
October 14, 2022
At first I thought this was some kind of debris, then realized it was moving towards me, and at a pretty good clip.
I expected he would be heading for the sand dunes behind me: tortoises don’t swim.
Instead he made a turn and continued on at the water’s edge.
Talbot Islands State Parks, Florida
April 27, 2021
The gopher tortoise is one of five North American tortoise species and is the only tortoise naturally found east of the Mississippi River. Its range includes the southeastern Coastal Plain from southeastern Louisiana east to southern South Carolina, and south to Florida. ~ Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
A small flock of Willets stood at the edge of the surf, inching their way inland every few minutes as the tide moved in.
I thought they might take flight, showing off their snazzy wing pattern. They were content to walk, run and hop through the rising water keeping their wings at their sides.
