Shore Birds of Ft DeSoto North Beach

[Second Hand Pat]

I spent the last couple days with some photo buddies hitting different spots along the west coast of Florida. We went to Ft DeSoto North Beach as our first stop. This was an afternoon spot and I walked over 11,000 steps. It was low tide with a setting sun. Weather was perfect.

Al, if you see this and can id some of these guys I would be most appreciate

The first bird is a Godwit. What a gorgeous bird with it's large pick bill. Spooky bird

Godwit at Ft DeSoto by Pat Husband, on Flickr


This guy was pulling worms (?) from the sand which were quite long. Once the worm was liberated from the sand it would get a rinse and down the hatch.

DZ9_2743-Edit by Pat Husband, on Flickr


This next guy was a super cool bird. It was walking fast and moving it's bill thru the shallow water like a little skimmer.

DZ9_2881-Edit by Pat Husband, on Flickr


This little guy is so small it almost looks like a tiny stuffed toy.

DZ9_2894-Edit by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Back to working on images
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

There were quite a few royal terns and there was love in the air.

This pair were doing their best but the male couldn't balance well enough due to the wind but he tried.

Royal Terns trying to Mate by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Flight shot

Royal Tern in Flight by Pat Husband, on Flickr

[brewmaster15]

Still waiting on our shorebirds to return.. just starting to get a few osprey sites and oyster catchers here.

Great captures Pat!

Screenshot_20230324-084537_Chrome.jpg

Plovers as a group really are cute birds.. this one you captured looks to be a Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)

[brewmaster15]

Screenshot_20230324-085142_Chrome.jpg This one looks like a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). This one is we see about 3/4 of the year here in the Northeast.

[Second Hand Pat]

Still waiting on our shorebirds to return.. just starting to get a few osprey sites and oyster catchers here.

Great captures Pat!

Screenshot_20230324-084537_Chrome.jpg

Plovers as a group really are cute birds.. this one you captured looks to be a Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)

Thanks so much Al I am updating the images on Flickr with any info you post!
Pat

[brewmaster15]

Screenshot_20230324-090151_Chrome.jpg

This one is a little challenging it looks like either a Black Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) or American Golden Plover( Pluvialis dominica).Both of these in winter plummage look possible... These species breed in the artic so are passing through on their Journey north. The Black Bellied are more common and I have seen them in Florida on Sanibel Island in the past.
Al

[Second Hand Pat]

Screenshot_20230324-090151_Chrome.jpg

This one is a little challenging it looks like either a Black Bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) or American Golden Plover( Pluvialis dominica).Both of these in winter plummage look possible... These species breed in the artic so are passing through on their Journey north.
Al

Thanks again Al, sounds like this one required more work?
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

A few more...

Hanging in the Surf by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Laughing Gulls by Pat Husband, on Flickr

[dagray]

Very nice Pat.

I have to take a drive and see if the Sandhill Cranes are back, and try and find some eagles.

I have been seeing Harriers (hawk specie) Red Tail, Red shoulder hawks out my back window, but not when I was ready with a camera in hand.

[Second Hand Pat]

Very nice Pat.

I have to take a drive and see if the Sandhill Cranes are back, and try and find some eagles.

I have been seeing Harriers (hawk specie) Red Tail, Red shoulder hawks out my back window, but not when I was ready with a camera in hand.

Thank you Dave I have a somewhat tolerant Red Shoulder Hawk which hangs around the front yard. I think he is looking for a meal
Pat

[brewmaster15]

Thanks again Al, sounds like this one required more work?
Pat

Alot of bird identification is based on scale and behavior .. some images just are almost there...I would say Im 90% sure its black bellied based on color, bill color and shape and best guess on size.

[Second Hand Pat]

Alot of bird identification is based on scale and behavior .. some images just are almost there...I would say Im 90% sure its black bellied based on color, bill color and shape and best guess on size.

Thank you Al and appreciate the effort
Pat