Saturday, December 17, 2016

Saturday's Critters #157



Saturday's Critters #157


Happy Saturday, it's time to share your critters and post. Any kind of critter will do, even a new or old post.. I appreciate everyone who is linking in with this week's critter party.

Hi everyone, are you ready for Christmas? In case my blogging friends are away this holiday week, I wish everyone a blessed Merry Christmas.

On Nov 4th,  hubby and I visited the Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County Florida. Most of the birds were far away, even for my super zoom Canon SX40.

A snowy Egret and a Great Egret wading into the Gulf of Mexico.



A large group of Terns with some Brown Pelicans on a sandbar in the gulf. 



We saw numerous Brown Pelicans near the beach and pier.


A couple of gulls and Pelicans. I love the beachy colors on the photo below, the pretty blue waters and sand.



 Below possibly a Willet and in the distance a Great Blue Heron and a gull?




White Pelicans


Below is distant look at various Terns and a large group of Black Skimmers.


A view from the pier, the pelicans and terns in flight.


On the pier the Snowy Egrets are catching some free food from the fishermen.



As always thanks for the visits and the nice comments. I also thank everyone who is linking up and sharing their critters.. Happy Saturday, have a great weekend!


To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.

Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-BirdinThanks to the gracious host: Anni.  Also check out Camera Critters. Thanks to Misty for hosting this fun meme.

82 comments:

GreenComotion said...

Hi Eileen-
The beach, the water and the birds are beautifully captured. Love the blue.
Thanks for hosting.
Have a Happy Weekend!
Peace :)

The Yum List said...

What beautiful layers of blue and white.

diane b said...

You sure know where to find loads of birds. The beach colours are beautiful

Marit said...

Hello,

Beautiful photos of all the white birds!

Happy Weekend!

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!

NatureFootstep said...

I think your zoom made a great job. I know the feeling, birds are always too far out.

I don´t celebrate Christmas much but wish you a fine one.

Nancy Chan said...

Beautiful birds even though they are far away. Wishing you Merry Christmas too!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

What a wonderful place to go bird watching. So many birds and allgreat shots Eileen. MAny thaks for hositng, I am off now to Malawi!

Mostly.Nature said...

All very interesting and exotic birds to me way down here in Tassie. I notice in photo #5 another little wader right on the edge of the water.

Jo said...

Hi Eileen, I love the Snowy Egret catching a fish in mid-air! Thanks for hosting. Have a wonderful weekend. Jo

Christine said...

These are stunning photos on the Gulf! So many wonderful kinds of beautiful birds to enjoy watching!
Thanks for hosting Eileen! Happy Weekend!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen!:) Wow,...what a large gathering of birds, and what a fabulous post, with two kinds of Egrets, two kinds of Pelicans, Terns, Black Skimmers and even a Great Blue Heron. This is a birders paradise , and the beach scenes are really beautiful. Have a great Weekend Eileen, and thank you so much for hosting.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Those pelicans and Snowies which hang around the pier know how to get an easy meal! Planning to get out to the Gulf Coast at Easter time. It is so much birdy-er ("birdier?") there than in my local wetlands!

Hootin Anni said...

Yep, that's a willet.
Wonderful images. Love seeing the blue sky and the sea, and the beaches too. Around here, lately, it's been so gray and dismal.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Beautiful pictures. We get some snowy egrets here and some terns as well but only in the summer months.

Ohmydearests said...

Dearest Eileen, wishing you a beautiful Christmas and 2017! The landscape in your photos is beautiful- the sand/water is gorgeous!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Crikey - you got egrets like we have seagulls!!! Fabulous array of featherhood and warm sunny beaches to be looking at from this cold damp place... LOVING your festive banner Eileen! Happy weekend m'dear. YAM xx

Tom said...

Eileen, lovely warm scenes...enjoy!

Mascha said...

Wonderful! I wish, I were there...
Happy Christmas time :-)

(today in the morning Mr. Linky wasn't working for me - )

Stone Cottage Adventures said...

It's cold today in Arkansas! I love your warm beach photos! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Lynne said...

Love seeing all the blue and white and the look of warmth . . .
We have a different kind of WHITE going on here
with very little warmth . . .
Happy, Merry Florida Christmas!

Jenn Jilks said...

I love your header! Merry Christmas.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

There are so many amazing birds on the Gulf! And our weather is beautiful this week! Enjoy your weekend! Keep that camera handy! Sweet hugs, Diane

MadSnapper said...

that beach if our most favorite beach and we used to go there a lot when we lived in st pete. I love that last photo best of all.

Ela said...

wow !!! I love these beautiful birds !!
Greetings

Lea said...

Lovely to see all the shorebirds!
Have a great week-end!

Cloudia said...

Have a sweet weekend, Eileen :)

Mary Hone said...

Those egrets are a hoot. And I love that blue water against those birds, so pretty.

Sussi said...

they are having day at the beach. Wonderful photos!

Debbie said...

the groups down there are magnificent, you must be enjoying every minute!! i am amazed at the number of egrets - and how close you can get to them!!!

thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend!!!

rupam sarma said...

Lovely pics :)
Have a nice weekend

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Fantastic captures! I have always loved shore birds :)

Phil Slade said...

Hi Eileen. Never mind that the birds were mostly some distance away. Birds can be very unobliging if they are in that mood. Anyway, you made up for it with that last photo of all those Snowy Egrets, not to mention those blue skies and white beaches. Enjoy your week and don't forget the sun cream.

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, I love the results you get with the super zoom Canon SX40. I didn't think you were too far away in any of these shots. Nice work! Thanks for taking us along on your visit to Fort De Soto Park. Have a happy weekend!

Suzanne said...

Good Morning. What beautiful shades of blue and cream colored sand! And the birds just own it don't they! Your header photo display is very nice. Merry Christmas Eileen!

Photo(Geo)grapher said...

What beautiful places. Fantastic captures!

Small City Scenes said...

Looks nice and warm there---balmy 17 here.
Love the Snowy egrets catching dinner
MB

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful shore shots ~ favorite, though, is the last one ~ thanks,

Wishing you peace in your days ~ ^_^

Linda W. said...

Lots of great bird sightings! Love the blue water and sandy beach scenes too.

ellen b said...

Hello Eileen,
Those white pelicans are something. I've mostly seen the brown variety.
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Linda said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen!!! Looks like a great time! :)

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I love Fort de Soto. I hope you took the inland hike. Osprey out the wazoo, and an occasional eagle.

Al said...

You always see the most amazing birds.

Anonymous said...

Pelicans are my favorite Beach/Ocean bird...I could watch them for hours!!!! Enjoy them for me...:)JP

Noushka said...

Lovely ambiance images of the these aquatic birds and waders!
I love the pelicans!
But last pic is a fantastic show!!
Keep well Eileen and enjoy your Sunday

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful Snowy Egrets, you can't beat them.

Giga said...

Sea, beach, beautiful birds are together wonderful views. Have a nice Sunday. Merry Christmas.

RedPat said...

That first shot does it for me, Eileen! I want to be on that beach! We have had major snow this week and it is only December!

Powell River Books said...

Like the egret capturing a fish midair, and the pelicans. I haven't seen one since I left California, and down there ours were gray. - Margy

Unknown said...

Wesołych zdrowych świąt Eileen zyczę i pozdrawiam.

Anonymous said...

Quite a critter party. Great post.

HappyK said...

My favorite is all the snowy egrets on the pier.
Yes, we are all set for Christmas. Gifts wrapped and under the tree.

HappyK said...

Something went wrong the first time I tried to link up. #36 is the good one. Sorry.

The Furry Gnome said...

Such a different place from here right now!

amo sin blogg said...

Very Beautiful new header on the top Eileen !!

I wish you a wonderful sunday and week ahead.

Hugs frå Anne-Mari

Anni said...

Beautiful images! Many thanks for sharing at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend. Have a glorious week ahead.

baili said...

you deserve an award for best birds pics dear .
glad to find you here.
these photos of water and birds are mesmerizing for my eye.
you got guts to handle your lens so well in this !!!

likeschocolate said...

Lovely photos! Have a great week!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Lovely critters and beautiful photos, Eileen. Enjoy your week, not to many sleeps to go till the big holiday!
Thanks for hosting!

Debbie said...

have i commented on your pretty new header - beautiful for the season!!

Gail said...

What a beautiful amazing place to visit.

Can you keep shells and sea glass you might find?

Merry Christmas.

Helma said...

Hi Eileen,
I am very late with my link for you Saturday critters because I've linked this just recently. My godmother mother is deceased last week and I was Friday anar the Evening Vigil and Saturday at the funeral. I never thought about the link. Perhaps I can link him better next week.
Greetings, Helma

Daniela said...

What a charming place you've caught once more in your shots, dearest Eileen, thank you !

Wishing you all my best for your Holiday Season,
may it be Peaceful and Joy-filled as never before, to you and yours,
with much love and gratitude

Xx Dany

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, Love the picture of the flock of Snowies! Great snapshots all! Have a tremendously nice coming week! Bet you are glad you are in FL now with good weather and all the birds!

This N That said...

Love your header..no critters to share this week..Love th last picture..Enjoy your week and Have the Merriest Christmas ever...

krishna said...

the picture of the white pelicans is very nice...

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Nice shots Eileen!!…I hope you have a happy holidays in harmony and with the best of the companies .. And I wish you a prosperous new year .. Merry Christmas..

rainfield61 said...

Birds do love beautiful beaches.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I like that layered color beach look too... it just says !florida' to me... never get that look on the wild Pacific Coast! I never saw egrets waiting for fish handouts like that! Pelicans, yes...very interesting.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Uma bela sequência de imagens.
Um Santo e Feliz Natal.
Andarilhar

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love your headers shots ... so Christmas-y ... hope you have great holiday season. i can't believe is here already ... time flies. Be Well & Be Blessed. ( :

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Hi Eileen, your pics shore make me wish I was at the beach...it's cold and windy up north around your old stomping grounds.

I remember fishing on a dock in south Florida back in the 90s. There was a school of mangrove snappers swimming around under the docks. They were too small for me to keep any, but an enormous white egret decided to keep me company and help out with that problem.
~

KL said...

That's a very hi-fi camera it seems :-). Though you wrote that the birds were too far away for the camera but still I have to say that the pictures have come out perfectly. These are really sights to enjoy. Are these beaches special protected beach or common beach in Florida?

Lois said...

Wonderful shots Eileen! I love that last one of the egrets waiting patiently for food. Too bad seagulls are not as polite as egrets!

Maggee said...

Ahhhh... such beautiful pictures of blue seas, sunny days and lots of shore birds! Thanks for sharing with us! (I put up a new post on my blog...) Hugs!

Lady Fi said...

Wow - fabulous shots! Have a lovely Christmas.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It has been great to follow your blog this year. May I wish you great happiness throughout the holiday season and a bright, successful, healthy 2017.

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Boa tarde, fotos maravilhosas captadas com qualidade, seu dom para fotografar é perfeito.
Feliz Natal,
AG

Lowcarb team member said...

I do like your header ...

Great set of pictures again, especially the first and last.

Hope this week is going well for you.

All the best Jan

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely photos, I especially like the one of the snowy egrets dancing on the pier and the first one which is a great illustration of the size difference between the 2 types of egret

Tammie Lee said...

beautiful photos
so different from our snowy world

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; OMG, so many varieties of birds in the gulf(♡^.^♡) Among them I wish I could see Tern, such unique bird♪  The other day, I found a kind of Snipe (alone) at the river bank, but flew away before I got ready for my camera(^^;)
Thank you SO much for hosting, Dear friend.

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Ana Freire said...

Another great sequence of amazing shots, Eileen!
Thank you for being able to know another amazing place through your photos, Eileen!
Kisses!
Ana

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