Beach Birding... in Florida

     Tim and I headed south, just like birds, but we were migrating with purpose - a huge, exciting, and celebratory event, Nannie turned 100 years old!
     Before we get to birds, I want to celebrate this amazing, progressive, badass woman. Nannie, Mabel Kepler, was a Brooklyn gal- grew up in what we now know as Ozone Park. She was a nurse, she reads the New York Times daily, and she has some baking secrets that we all got access to each Christmas, and she had direct lineage to a descendant who traveled to this country on the Mayflower (yeah, an actual pilgrim!).
    We adopted her a matriarch elephant from an orphan herd in Africa and I am so glad she was so tickled by this. She is the matriarch of a huge, amazing family and I couldn't be more grateful for that! So before I get to birds, here is Mabel, getting her birthday wish-- a ride on a Harley:

     After much needed catching up with family, and still, after over 10 years of being with Tim, even meeting some folks for the first time-- and after countless beverages, swimming in the ocean, then the pool....and the ocean, I did get some birding in while in New Smyrna Beach. And even more after Tim and I departed the area for Miami and the Southern parts of the state.
     In New Smyrna Beach I found that just 2 miles from where we were staying is Smyrna Dunes Park, equipped with Ocean and Bay side access, beach and dune access, via a very easy to walk boardwalk, and if you wanted to swim, I'm sure you could- although the currents look precarious where the waters meet.
     One thing I learned about many Florida parks- which I suppose I take for granted here in New York City- in a car, you have to pay to go to most parks. But I suppose that's because many of them have beach access and that can get out of control without a fee.
     Smyrna Dunes is not just good for birds- but if you are a reptile enthusiast, there are things there too that will leave you smitten...

The boardwalk trail is just a touch over a mile, and from it are meny access point to the beach. Where I began my walk, was a lot of, I suppose you would call it a thicket? With vines, brush, and palm-y type plants. Thick so that you know there are birds in there- you can't see 'em, but boy can you hear!
Birding by ear would be a good way to go in Florida, and it is something I suck at-- although I was stoked to recognize a vireo-like call and was able to ID a white-eyed vireo by ear.
Beach birding was a bit more clear and straight forward, like this juvenile reddish egret. Who is very elegant, it's hunting style has a lot of poise and looking very calm while trying to obtain your meal.

Also, note the odd abscess on its leg...

Unlike the reddish egret- the snowy egret don't care how it looks- it just wants to get the job done!
Often running, zig zagging through the surf, wings spread as it runs for balance, to pick up or reduce it's speed, who knows and then diving in like this is going to be the damn tastiest fish ever.

I love shorebirds and residents of the beach- they are so forgiving and bold.
In a world where there are no hiding places, often if startled they run or fly, but then saunter on back when they see you don't pose a threat. These royal terns they didn't even budge as I passed them by.

We left New York in long sleeves, we got to Florida and each day was 90+ with humidity. Despite the fact the temperatures were high, autumn was setting in, sunrise was just after 7am, giving everything a golden morning glow.

Royal terns in the winter plumage, especially when sitting so squat, remind me of Friar Tuck.

This was very exciting for me-- a Gopher Tortoise!
These are some amazing, long-lived reptiles. They are a keystone species, their burrows providing shelter and homes for countless others from other reptiles, to insects, mammals, to even birds!!
Their long burrows shelter animals from floods and fire, it's an amazing important refuge in a place where the natural patterns in climate can be whacky!

So as this species is so important, they are protected by law in Florida- and also listed as a threatened species.

I noticed that prime burrow locations were in the dunes, above where water would puddle and flood. The entry ways were just perfectly sized to the tortoise that occupies it.

And of course, those burrows need upkeep!
Burrows can reach amazing lengths, some nearly 50 ft long. Most are in the 15 ft range- they provide a cool refuge during the heat and generally maintain a constant climate that is beneficial to the tortoise and the other critters it may share it with.
Learn more about gopher tortoises here via Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission.

On the beach I found 2 burly looking guys- Florida Stone Crabs- who, if you give a google, you know what they are really good for...

Lots of sanderlings here, but learned the dunes are favored by Piping and Wilson's Plovers for nesting.

A willet take a dip to cross  a tidal pool to get over to the other side to forage.

While appearing "plain," I think there is so much beauty in the soft sandy tones of this leggy bird.

In case you were wondering why the reddish egret is so named--- because when it's grown up it's red...ish.

Lucky good shots of an osprey surveying the water for a fish.

Lucky shot. Cool bird. Almost went extinct in the DDT days.

Hard to get any brown pelican shots. While plentiful, they were often out, crusing over the waves.

Pelicans with a picturesque scene: Ponce De Leon Lighthouse, and Florida's tallest lighthouse, at that!

Lots of anoles everywhere- this one gave me a display-- bobbing and dipping the front portion of its body while extending its dewlap. I spent more time than I should have just watching this one lizard.
By his behavior, I can feel confident in saying this is a male.

Some of the more subdued individuals- perhaps younger males or females.

A bad feather day... also known as molting.

Often associated with snowy winter scenes, this bird really only recently has established itself in the north, as recently as the 1950's for New York! And the reason? Us! Due to the way we re-configured habitats (they LOVE yards!) and put out little birdie buffets (feeders may have a lot to do with their successful range spread) so is a Florida cardinal weird? Nah.
Learn more about cardinals and us here via the Nature Conservancy.

Everyone is molting. A flick of the leg to the neck and feathers fly for this Eastern Towhee.

I like towhees, they are bold in color, have a funny little call, and when you catch them off-guard, they look like they just drank the strongest cup of coffee ever.

Speaking of coffee...

I really craved my morning coffee- but in this climate it must be iced. So I drove onto the main drag of New Smyrna Beach, parked there car and was greeted by the valet.

This Cattle egret was just walking the streets- didn't give a care for me, or the street. Just sauntered along-- and stayed for a while. Came out with my iced latte, still there. Drove by 3 hours later, and it was in someones hedges probably feasting on anoles.

As we said goodbye to the egret, we made our way south toward Boynton Beach... and, more birds.