Marbled Godwit and Dowitcher friends
Some days I miss the sound of the Gulf of Mexico lapping up on the shoreline and the gentle sea breeze caressing my cheeks while I soak in the sights around me at Fort De Soto. I miss the flocks of birds that changed species throughout the year.
Semipalmated Plover warming in the sun
Some days I miss sand crawling and laying in it with the warm sun on my back while little plovers and sandpipers dart around in front of me and watching the antics and behavior of the dainty shorebirds through my lens.
Greater Yellowlegs at sunrise
I miss slipping quietly into the lagoons and moving at a snails pace until the birds are comfortable with my presence and relax while I take hundreds of images of them. I miss being able to observe my subjects closely while the saltwater swirls around me.
Foraging adult American Oystercatcher
Some days I really miss the shorebirds that I don’t see here in Utah, like American Oystercatchers. I still dream about them even after four years of being here. I miss using my stalking skills to get as close to the birds and get frame filling images.
Ring-billed Gull lifting off from the Gulf of Mexico
I see plenty of Ring-billed Gulls here in Utah but I miss seeing them foraging for prey in the Gulf of Mexico and some days I really miss the fantastic colors of blue in the Gulf and the tidal lagoons.
Juvenile Black Skimmer
Some days I miss hearing the nasal barking yip of Black Skimmers coming onto shore after skimming for fish in the waves and seeing those long, odd shaped bills. I miss walking and shooting handheld unfettered by being in a vehicle with clear views around me at a full 360 degrees.
Roseate Spoonbill resting in a lagoon
Some days I miss the vivid pinks and carmine reds of Roseate Spoonbills, their bright red eyes and their spatulate bills. I miss having them approach me until I can no longer focus on them.
Hunting Great Egret
Some days I miss seeing Great Egrets catch pipefish and struggle while they try to get the wiggly little things in their bills or when they catch a large Mullet that they have trouble swallowing.
Great Blue Heron just prior to sunrise with the Earth shadow
Some days I miss getting to the north beach before anyone else and sitting in the still warm sand while to the west I can see the Earth Shadow that lingers until the sun rises. I miss watching these birds wake up.
Brown Pelican adult floating on the Gulf of Mexico
Some days I miss seeing Brown Pelicans floating on the waves just off shore or seeing them plummet from the sky to catch fish.
Some days I find myself missing Fort De Soto so much it hurts, the birds I found there and the entire experience of just being there. It is just such an amazing place, how could I not miss it?
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of the photos I took at Fort De Soto County Park.
Oh! Mia! Homesick and a hurting heart! When you’ve lived in more than one wonderful place, it can leave you open and vulnerable to feeling accutely homesick for more than one place at a time. You may really love the place you’re at, and the people you’re with, and still your heart aches for somewhere else you’ve loved being…one of nature’s dirty little tricks, isn’t it? I know the feeling much too well! This was a wonderful series for me because we lived in Florida for several years…my grandparents were early “pioneers” in Florida, moving there in the 20’s…to this day, certain sounds, or smells, a softness or gentleness of breeze, can cause a wave of homesickness to wash over me. I can get the same sense of longing for mountains, big sky, sun warmed pond water, sagebrush, creosote bush, or the damp moss smell of deep woods. Sometimes they come on so strong they hurt!
hoo, it s a spectacular serie, my preference is the 1st with the group it’s very nice, i imagine how many they should be to get it together like that,
great job mia, thanks a lot
have a nice day ☼
Mia, I don’t know what words to use to express the beauty of these outstanding images. I just loved viewing them. (Sounds like you need a visit to Fort De Soto.) I have never taken a single shot of a Spoonbill. If I had to pick a fav it would be extremely hard, because they are all so beautiful. However, I just adore the image of the Gull!.
Beautiful, Mia! I think that first shot is one of my all time favorites of yours. Love it!!
I agree with Stu!!
Amazing… especially the Great Blue Heron just before sunrise.. like a painting I rate this as one of my top 3 photographs of yours ( though I have about 200 tied for third 😉 Perhaps it is time for you to return…
Beautiful, just beautiful Mia.
A wonderful post, and I hope you are able to go back there at some stage to see the birds again.
Shorebirds are just starting to return to Melbourne apparently after visiting the northern hemisphere to raise the next generation, so I’m hoping to see some soon.
Fantastic photos, Mia. We’ve been to that north beach area once, and we loved the lagoon behind it… Hoping to get back down there, either later this year, or next year if not.