Clearwater Pass - July 27, 2013

Went looking for the eider duck that had been seen in this spot.  Didn't see much there, but still good to get to so many locations in one day.

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary - July 27, 2013

The skimmers are getting bigger!  Also found some other birds roaming around and a yellow-bellied sapsucker in a cage (the first time I have seen one).

Fort de Soto - July, 27, 2013

Lots of birds on the wires today at Ft de Soto.  Mostly young starlings (probably the same I saw in nests there this season). Also, gray kingbird and shrike.  Always nice to see the dolphins there too and finally saw the "grapes" on the sea grape plant and an ipomea (morning glory) vine.

Pelican Man Sanctuary, Sarasota - July 27, 2013

Went with my parents to Pelican Man Sanctuary in Sarasota (now called Save Our Seabirds) for the first time.  It is nice to know there is another place to bring injured birds now that Suncoast Seabird is not accepting them.  There was a desperate looking juvenile great blue heron with a leg band in the parking lot trying to get into the sanctuary.  Dad just picked him up and brought him back in!  The small bird here is a baby peacock.  I guess the two they have there had a baby unexpectedly.  Looks like a baby turkey to me.  They must be close relatives.

Tierra Verde Pond, Ft. de Soto - July 27, 2013

Some great finds this morning!  Several magnificent frigates and a pair of redhead ducks plus tons of cormorants.

Colombia Parking Lot, Sarasota - July 27, 2013

Made the trip to Sarasota to find the tropical kingbirds that had been spotted there.  I am pretty sure the first one I found with the dragonfly was the adult and the others were the juveniles.  I know there had been a nest there earlier in the year.  It is very rare for these birds to be seen here!  I also saw a eurasian collared dove in the parking lot, young starlings, and some house sparrows, including a baby!

Circle B Bar Reserve - July 26, 2013

I was able to get so close to this barred owl.  It was the best part of the day.  He was at eye level just a few feet away and seemed very focused on the ground.  Also saw so many ospreys and a couple swallow-tailed kites mixed in!