Hungry Heron

Beach-goers were not the only ones looking out at the morning sun shining on the gulf waters. This hungry heron was giving it a look as well. 

He must have wanted a little more salt, because he kept dragging his breakfast through the water again and again. I can't blame him. I love my salt as well, especially the natural kind. 

Still, he seemed fascinated with the morning sun. 

And who can blame him?

Before the Crack of Dawn

 

I'm an early morning person. I think I set a morning alarm, maybe, once or twice a year. I usually rise naturally before 6:30 a.m. Once in a while, I even wake up before 5 a.m., as was the case today. So I was able to get to the beach well before sun-up.

It was one of those mornings where the clouds were hiding the sun . . .  

. . . but as soon as it rose about the cloud layer, the clouds seemed to dissipate and it turned to into a beautiful, golden sunrise.

Now, that's worth waking up for . . .

Food Fight vs. Eating Right

 

I must have happened by at feeding time this morning, as I found a heron and seagulls all pretty busy with breakfast. It's not often that leftovers are the first choice, especially when there's an abundance of fresh food, but, unfortunately, the some of the gulls seem to have developed a strong addiction for processed food, which sometimes leads to some rather furious food fights. These two went head to head, literally!

This one either exercised self-control or is just more dedicated to healthy eating. 

What a good example!

Rippling Waves on SPI

 

Just a few gentle, rolling clouds lined up above the gentle, rippling waves early this Saturday morning, and it did make for some pretty pictures. 

 
Further down the way, a line of pelicans was crossing over, just as the first of the fishermen started lining up on the jetty, which also made a pretty picture. 

Nice way to start the day. 

A Soft Glow

I really didn't want to get out my door this morning, but I am so glad I did. The sunrise started out as a soft, beautiful glow and the waves were very gentle and low. Very nice for wading along in the water's edge. 

I usually enter the beach from one of the county park entrances at either the southern or northern end of the island, but this morning I decided to go in through one of the public accesses, since last time I came I missed the sunrise, due to being stuck in a long line of vehicles waiting for someone who must have overslept a bit. So, I don't usually see much of the hotels anymore, which is fine by me, because they don't really add much to the scenery, but I did think that the soft glow of the sunrise against the Isla Bella was rather pretty. 

But not as pretty as the pelicans flying against the sunrise. 

Walking away from the hotels, toward Isla Blanca County Park, I was surprised to see workers unloading some freshly painted lifeguard seats. I was a little surprised, as I don't remember seeing any last summer, but it's good to know that they are around. 

Down at Isla Blanca, the fishers were lining up on the Jetty and the pelicans, seagulls, and a friendly heron were having their breakfast. It was a very good day to come - well worth the effort. 

Herons and More

 

Today, for my morning walk, I went to the north beach and I saw a tricolored heron perched in the greenery of the dunes. After the walk on the beach, I decided to go all out today and walk along the boardwalk at the Birding and Nature Center as well. And, what should I see, but another great heron!

But there was more to see, by far!

Including much to see in the water . . .

I went home pretty tired, after having a double walk. 

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

 

Today, I wasn't feeling well enough to do a lot of walking, so I just walked around the neighborhood, down a street along the bay. There was a lovely sunrise, which I dressed up a little bit. It made for a lovely silhouette. 

It's a nice neighborhood for a walk. I saw a few mockingbirds singing and flitting from tree to tree. 

Even the common grackle looks like something really special when it's backdropped against a stately palm tree.

A little later in the day, I decided to swing up to Laguna Atascosa for a quick drive-through.

It was a cute little roadrunner - certainly not something I would expect could get the best of a "Wiley Coyote!" But cute!

A friendly biologist connected with the wildlife reserve pointed out this Altamira oriole's nest - a pretty impressive dwelling, but I don't think anyone was home. 

 

Maybe next time.