This was an early gathering of birds in a salt marsh. Most were White Pelicans and Glossy ibis.
In the mix was at least one Tricolored Heron, and several Snowy Egrets.
Overall a great group of marsh birds. It’s not very often I get the mix of Pelicans and Glossy.
We arrived a little early for night shots but discovered Brown Pelicans all around various old pilings.
These two were facing away from sunset which helped me get the rich wood colors.
Salt Run is an inlet that runs between the city of St. Augustine, Florida, and Conch Island on the Atlantic Ocean. The town is the oldest settlement in the US. It was founded by the Spanish.
It also has a connection to my town Charleston, South Carolina. During the revolutionary war wealthy people fighting against the British were exiled to St. Augustine. In the mid 1700’s the Spanish territories were not all that far south from Charleston.
Of course us common folk were jailed, or worse.
This was one of the first sights to start our day. White Pelicans, and plenty of them.
Merritt Island, Florida.
It took me a bit to figure it out.
In fairness I was standing on a long pier too.
A Brown Pelican, one of a few, that stayed around us as we waited for sunset photographs.
There were two fishermen on a pier. Several Pelicans kept close in case there was anything to be shared.
Salt Run inlet, Florida.
Young Brown Pelican around sundown.
These photographs show only one of the many flocks of White Pelican that took over this salt marsh.
We learned from other photographers later that day, only a half hour before, no Pelicans. In about 2 hours, they all left.
We hit the spot at the perfect time.
Ellen always reminds me it’s all about timing, that we have no control over. I think that’s how she keeps me moving.
