The sun rather confused me on Sanibel Island, Florida. Visiting in early December, the sun is rather south in the horizon. Due to the positioning of the island, one can see both sunrise and sunset at the same place.
While the mornings are overcast, the clouds clear up by midday and the sunsets, while fleeting, are always spectacular.
The island is also special as the birds have few predators and are accustomed to their human visitors. Enjoying the beach along with us, these birds allowed me to walk within ten feet of them. Staying quietly and low, they would quickly pass just a few feet away from me while foraging for the next nibble.
While soaking up the sun, birds would come and go. Sometimes calling, sometimes coming closer for inspection. After the early morning dining frenzy, they begin to relax and rest on the sand.
Brown Pelican
Double Crested Cormorant
A Pelican Tree
I hope you’ve enjoyed your week holiday with me and alas, it’s time for us to begin donning our winter gear as I’m heading north while you read this.
Who knows, one of these Florida birds may drop in later and say hello.
Emily Carter Mitchell ~ Nature as Art 
I enjoyed the Florida birds on beautiful Sanibel Island, Bella. Great photos. 🙂
Truly my pleasure to be able to share these with you Jet. Thank you so much and have a lovely weekend.
Trying to figure out how the pelicans are standing on those branches, I mean they must weigh quite a bit :O
Beautiful photos 🙂
I was trying to figure that out too Andy. There were about 30 of them in one of these trees. I couldn’t believe it!
30! dang, maybe they are shaolin pelicans heh! that’s just crazy 🙂
I think the Brown Pelican got a bit of a raw deal when they were handing out the names…..he/she is anything but brown!
LOL ! You’re right Mark, they really are a rather colorful bird aren’t they? They’re brown compared to the white ones.
The picture if the cormorant is my favorite! Lovely how the bird spreads its wings.
Thank you so much ! He came on the beach to dry off a bit before returning to the ocean.
Oh, I love Sanibel Island! I’ve only been in the summer. I remember seeing so many seashells. I’ll bet these birds are finding a real feast.
They really are, and actually there were lots of bones with left over meat from commercial fishermen who threw it out in the ocean for fish. It was kind of strange, but the leftovers made the birds happy.
Lovely photos, but I’m very confused as to how you can see the sunrise and sunset at the same place! No east and west???
That’s what is so odd. The sun is so south in the horizon, that it rises and sets in a “V” shape. Imagine you standing at the bottom of the V, and voila!
Wow! I didn’t know that was even possible, but I’d give anything to see it!
Beautiful captures of these gorgeous birds, Emily. Love the pelican profile. 🙂
Truly appreciate your generous comment. Had such a great time on the beach and we’re already talking about a return next winter.
I think I’ve given up on “heading north” Emily, and Sanibel Island is always a special place, I think.
Is that right? Where are you hanging your hat now? Glad to see you’re doing well and hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Panama, Emily. I may apply for a
Retirado permanent visa, not sure yet. Certainly staying between the north and south tropic. No reason not to, and after a little while one gains a larger perspective on what America means, the Americas really. You and Robert have a wonderful Christmas too!
Panama? Now I didn’t see that coming. I heard it’s a great place for expats after Costa Rica. Set your hat there..who knows, maybe one day I’ll make it there for a visit.
You know me, I am a Latin American girl at heart cuz of my mom from Bolivia. Anywhere Latin America is awesome in my book.
I didn’t see it coming either. Not until about two weeks before I came, anyway, but it was one place on my possibles list. For now I’m just staying in a hostel as a long term guest but thinking about an apartment. I’ll decide in January one way or the other. If not maybe Cost Rica.
If you’re there, check out Guatemala also. Costa Rica is more expensive and lots of expats that tend to drink and drug.
Good luck on your search for your new home.
Great post that you have of the yellow crowned night heron. Loved the video, it was awesome. Thanks for the ping back.