Tag Archives: Ocean

Ring-billed Gull At The Beach

There was a drop-off in the sand from where this Ring-billed Gull was perched to the ocean.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

He and a few pals were getting some end of day sun.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

Typical of gulls, they were flapping around a bit while the waves were roiling around behind them.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

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.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

St. Augustine Beach, FL
January 20, 2023

Skimmer Among Gulls

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 Beach Gulls At the Beach

I 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 Beach Skimmer With Gulls At the Beach

The gulls actually didn’t fly and the Black Skimmer made him self comfy in the crowd.

Skimmer With Gulls At the Beach Skimmer With Gulls At the Beach

I 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 Beach Skimmer At the Beach

St. Augustine Beach, FL
January 21, 2023

Tortoise on the Beach

At first I thought this was some kind of debris, then realized it was moving towards me, and at a pretty good clip.

Gopher Tortoise on Beach
Gopher Tortoise on Beach, Atlantic Ocean

I expected he would be heading for the sand dunes behind me: tortoises don’t swim.

Gopher Tortoise on Beach
Gopher Tortoise on Beach

Instead he made a turn and continued on at the water’s edge.

Gopher Tortoise on Beach
Gopher Tortoise on Beach

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