Skimmin' the Gulf

I thought I'd share a few more photos from my recent stay-cation on Sanibel.  There was lots of sun, surf, sand, and (of course) birds for me to shoot!  I was excited to encounter this flock of black skimmers on the Gulf of Mexico one morning.  They're easy to spot with their black tipped orange beak and jet black and white body.  The skimmer is the only bird with an upper bill that's shorter than it's lower one, which is why it's nicknamed the "scissorbill".  I don't see them very often in Sarasota, and this was the largest number I've ever spotted together. 

They fly quite fast and skim the water, dipping their lower bill in the water, scooping up shrimp and small fish near the surface.  Skimmers like to feed together and when they do, they swoop down one immediately after the other in a line.  So, if one doesn't snag something to eat, the next skimmers in line probably will.  Very interesting to watch.  Hope everyone had a good weekend -- and for those in the States, I hope you're acclimating to Daylight Saving Time!  

The Makings of a Sunset

 

So, what does a house have to do with the makings of a sunset?  This was the starting point for my post-work walk last night, DSLR in hand.  Located directly on Sarasota Bay, the Selby mansion is now part of the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. When I spotted this light glowing at the gate before sunset, for some reason, I thought this was going to be a good walk.

 

Rounding the corner on the bayfront near the mooring field, I noticed that while it was partly cloudy, the cloud formation had the potential for a perfect sunset.   The sun just needed to dip slightly below the clouds, then there would be clear sky with dark clouds above.  Very picturesque.  But…in order to get into position for a good sunset shot I had to hoof (read: hoof!) about 1.5 miles to that bridge way in the distance, maneuvering around runners, bikers and other walkers.  Time was of the essence!  I was up for the challenge. 

 

When I hit the base of the Ringling Bridge, everything was in motion.  Contrary to what it looks like in this shot, the bridge was very busy with people enjoying the gorgeous evening.  Runners (some who looked like they were training for a marathon) were even pausing to pull out their cell phones to snap a quick pic of this sunset.

 

I was a quarter of the way up the bridge, overlooking the Tony Saprito Fishing Pier, when I realized this probably was going to be the most vibrant sunset I've ever seen from downtown Sarasota.  I just needed Mother Nature to let the orange really pop.  

Within minutes, Mother Nature delivered this scene. This is SOOC (straight out of the camera) -- no post production tweaks.  Breathtaking!  I was shooting pictures not only with my DSLR but also my cell phone, and I guess I was so busy I didn't notice the ripples on the water at the time.  Looking at them now,  in relation to the sun and horizon, with the swath of light cutting across the bay, I like the symmetry.  When the last bit of orange disappeared, a faint burst of salmon spattered across the sky for a brief moment... and that was it.  The sky was dark…show over.   And, that's the makings of a Sarasota sunset.  So glad I hoofed it!

Theme Day: Aging

When I discovered yesterday that today's Theme Day was 'aging', I rooted through my recent photos on Sanibel island to see what could be applicable.  And, voila -- the Sanibel lighthouse!   

Opened in 1884 on the eastern tip of the island, it was manned by ten different lighthouse keepers until 1949 when a big storm hit and concerns about erosion led to the light becoming automated.  In the  early 1980s, the City of Sanibel began managing the surrounding property, but the U.S. Coast Guard continued to own and operate the light.  In 2000, it was transferred to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and, then, the City of Sanibel applied for custody of it.  After years and years of waiting, the request was granted in 2010.  Using a Florida state historic preservation grant and monies accrued from the island's beach parking fund, a preservation initiative was launched just two years ago in 2013.  Apparently, the rehab was really needed.  The exterior steel was deteriorating to the point that sections had to be replaced.  The lighthouse also was sanded and painted.  Now it's looking pretty good for a 131 year old structure, don't you think?  I'm partial to lighthouses and I'm glad this one has been preserved and seems to be aging pretty well.

To see other interpretations of Theme Day click here.

Good Morning!

The cold temperatures made it all the way down to Sanibel.  It was 36 degrees (with a 28 degree wind chill) yesterday morning, but that didn't deter me from heading out for this sunrise.  It was beautiful! The wind was howling off the Gulf of Mexico, so I tucked behind a stand of sea grapes and sea oats along the beach to keep warm as dawn transitioned into sunrise. Within seconds the sun was completely over the horizon and seemingly out of no where hearty souls materialized on the beach to shell and even exercise. I've noticed that sunrise here is much different than sunset.  Sunrise offers shades of yellow and orange, while sunset includes an array of blues, purples and oranges. Happy weekend!

I See You

 

To say that a lot of ospreys inhabit Sanibel would be an understatement.  I'm seeing and hearing them all over!  This was one of the closest encounters yet -- maybe 15-20 feet directly above a residential street where I was bicycling.  The fish was so fresh it was still flopping around.  After taking a few photos, the osprey gave me a yellow beady-eyed stare and bobbed its head up and down.  I interpreted that to be a defensive posture and figured it found me to be a potential threat, so I bicycled away.  Gosh…I don't get tired of incredible wildlife scenes like this.

Eye to Eye

  

An island pictorial of natural order.

In-Flight Fight

Just by pausing and taking in your surroundings, you can notice some amazing activity...especially when it comes to Mother Nature.  I was taking a stroll on the beach on Sanibel yesterday afternoon when I noticed an osprey flying over the Gulf of Mexico with something in its talons, presumably a fish.  Although it was a good distance away (at least 60 yards), I figured I'd look through my telephoto lens and confirm what it was, and maybe even get a picture.  As I was zooming in, my friend exclaimed "It dropped it!" (referring to the osprey releasing the fish) and simultaneously another bird appeared in my viewfinder.  If there's one species I can spot a mile away, it's a bald eagle -- and that's what it was!  Bald eagles have a reputation for being aggressive and taking meals away from other birds of prey right in mid-flight.  That's what was happening! The eagle was unsuccessful…but, get this:  after a very brief in-flight skirmish, the eagle took off --- and the osprey chased it!  Unbelievable!  It was such a neat experience to see unfold right before our eyes.  And, no one else on the beach was aware of the wildlife turmoil going on.  Although this isn't the best of photos, I was thrilled that I happened to capture the eagle's aggressive posture before it fled the scene.  Hope everyone in the blogosphere has been doing well!