Pinellas NWR
Indian Key
Royal Tern
They are typically present year-round in their breeding range.
They make a nest scrape on the ground on low-lying islands (like Egmont Key). The pair defecates directly on the nest rim, perhaps to reinforce the nest against flooding.
South end of a north-facing Royal Tern
Up, Up, and Away for a Double-crested Cormorant struggling for lift off.
Cormorants with a resting American White Pelican.
Exciting sight!! We saw this Great Blue Heron carrying nesting material into Indian Key, presumably to its nest. We haven't seen successful Great Blues nesting on Indian Key in quite a while so hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!
Male Osprey on the hunt.
An Osprey may log more than 160,000 migration miles during its 15-20 year lifetime. During 13 days in 2008, one Osprey flew 2,700 miles from Martha's Vineyard, MA, to French Guiana, South America. (A satellite transmitter was attached to its back)
Ospreys are unusual among hawks in possessing a reversible outer toe that allows them to grasp with two toes in front and two behind.
Too much Holiday Cheer?
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