Perdido Key Saturday

Yes, I've spent a lot of time at Perdido Key this week, often waiting on the sun.



Today, I had to finish the Kemp's stranding from Friday, check on a hatching sea turtle nest and do a quick bird survey.



RUTUs were involved...



There were SNEGs as well (snowy egrets)



and the ubiquitous models, the great blue heron. I never get tired of their statuesque poses.

There was another stranding today as well -- a stunning juvenile green sea turtle over on the Pensacola Naval Air Station that had been sliced by a boat propeller. I always hate those calls, but it's important to learn what we can from an animal, even though it's sad to have such a learning opportunity.


I almost bought a 500mm lens last night, but decided to wait til I know if I have a job in December. I'm just anxious to take better pictures!

A Perdido Key Morning

I often arrive in the park, even at the distant Perdido Key area, well before dawn, and I ride the beach, searching for turtle tracks or hatchlings while waiting for the sun.



The snowy egrets wait with me.



When the sun arrives, it's always the start of a beautiful day!



Even if there are masses of jellies on the beach.



Just how often do you have time, or opportunity, to watch a great blue heron stalk his own shadow?

Highlights for Children Hidden Object...

How many Great Blue Herons do you see here?



On such a gray day, it's really hard to pick them out from amongst the branches, isn't it?

I checked on the Great Blue Heron rookery near the fort at Pickens today after my shore bird survey. Every time I thought I was done with my count, another bird took flight as it was startled by a sound, except for this one stoic mama. I have to wonder if she already has eggs in that nest!



There were tons of birds on the north shore, but hardly any on the south. Murphy's Law, since today was a south shore count. Check out my favorite gulls, the little Bonaparte's Gull, hanging out with some ducks. I love the dark winter cheek patch reminiscent of their small breeding season hoods.



The pelicans were holding court on the new pier at the Ranger Station. Can't wait til we can reopen our office there!



Strangely, this group of daisies was on the tide line at the west end -- you never know what will wash in on the tide.



With the freezing temperatures over the last few nights, these have to be fairly fresh. I wonder if someone tossed them overboard.



The ducks didn't seem too chilled by the recent cold snap. After about 5 weeks of hunting, they seem very skittish -- who could blame them? It's Darwinian survival at its best.



As soon as I returned to the fire cache, Mark sent me out to The Dock on Pensacola Beach to check out some 'oil' on the beach.



After looking it over, we think it's some kind of egg or larval marine form, but we really need a dissecting scope to see these a little better.



They almost blend in with the sand!



Anyone know what they are? The color reminds me of all the Portuguese Man O'War we've had recently, though they are smaller than any of them I've seen. We had raisin-size ones a few weeks ago, but not anything as small as a grain of sand.



Even a gray day here is stunning -- check out the Gulf of Mexico.



Guess you can tell I'm feeling better about my uncle. The surgery went well and he should be home in two weeks. I can't believe how stressful it is to watch someone you love go through all of that!