My time with Big Red

After a very wet start to the day, it finally started to clear up after lunch - so I headed off to Fort DeSoto to get some air and spend some time with nature.  I hit my favorite spots but found them to be fairly uninspiring ... high tides and rough seas seemed to keep a lot of the waders away.

But I struck gold at the north beach - after hiking a ways on the soft sand, I found Big Red, the resident Reddish Egret in one of his favorite lagoons.  And I spent the nest hour and a half watching him dance and catch fish.  I don't know if I'll see him again before I leave, so I decided to take about a gazillion shots (well, actually 762, but who's counting?)  Most of them were of Big Red, and most of them have gone in the bin. But I got some shots I really liked, too.  

Big Red is without a doubt the most photographed reddish egret in the world. He's known to photographers far and wide. On any given morning at the Fort, you can find at least a half dozen long lenses pointed in his direction.  And in true celebrity style, he puts on a show and acts as if the cameras aren't even there.  What a delight.  And I had him all to myself this afternoon.  He's in full breeding colors and plumage right now - with bright blue legs and a hot pink beak and luxurious long red feathers all over his head and neck.  

If you've got time, I've posted 14 other shots (most of Big Red, with a few willets and things thrown in for good measure) starting HERE with a pair of ground doves (new bird for me)

The "girls" get here tomorrow - I'm picking them up at the Tampa Airport about 2:20 - and then the good times will begin!  Peg's birthday is today, so we'll spend some serious time celebrating while she is here!  

Seven more sleeps...