Spring on the island

One of the special advantages we have on the island and coastal mainland each spring is watching osprey build their nests and go through their mating ritual.   An osprey's wingspan can reach up to six feet, so you can imagine how incredible it is to watch them soaring high in the sky or diving into the Gulf for fish.

Yesterday afternoon I rode with my friend and fellow photographer, Harry Purcell, to Ft. Pickens to observe returning osprey and try for some photos. Harry very graciously allowed me to try out his Canon 70-200mm prime lens, and I was able to capture some nice shots. 

I've found myself becoming more curious about indigenous wildlife as a result of my patrols in the last few years. What started as a passion for sea turtles has expanded to several sea and shore birds as well.

Osprey typically mate for life.  The female (left) is generally larger, has a slightly large wing span, and usually has more brown speckling across their chest. 

Osprey typically return to the same nest year after year. 

Looks like we'll see the female nesting soon.

Whether you live here or are visiting Pensacola Beach, this is a wonderful time to visit Ft. Pickens (especially with a pair of binoculars) to watch the osprey soar and work on their nests. Either early morning or late afternoon is a great time to watch them fish also.

Osprey

I was very excited to see this beautiful osprey during my patrol at Santa Rosa this morning.  Someone had taken an old log which washed up and stood it upright.  It was a perfect perch for an osprey to scope out some breakfast!

Osprey at Ft. Pickens

One of the great things about patroling at Ft. Pickens in the summer is being able to observe osprey.  Many of the tall pine trees which died in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan have had their bleak skeletons claimed as prime nest sites by both osprey and herons in this area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. 

As much as I enjoy watching osprey, I rarely have an opportunity to photograph or get video of them.  On the occasion I do, the quality is not the best because not only am I a distance from them, they are usually flying and I'm driving a UTV!  Not prime conditions to capture a moving target with my camera.

Last Sunday, however, I did manage to get a small amount of footage of an adult osprey taking a break from fishing and resting on a long piece of driftwood.   He even ruffled his feathers for me once!  Also note the dragonflies darting about at the beginning.

Osprey!

I was excited when I learned a subdivision on the west end of the island had erected two Osprey nesting platforms within their neighborhood park.  One platform was quickly claimed by a pair of these magnificent birds whose wing span can range from 4 - 6 feet!

The photo above was taken from my vehicle using my small Panasonic Lumix, but you can be sure I'll be back throughout the season with my Canon 40D, a telephoto lens, and a tripod!

Osprey

One of the best perks of volunteering for the park is getting closer to the wildlife. When I patrol east of Pensacola Beach in the Santa Rosa area, I pass a large colony of black skimmers, one of my favorite birds. On the west side - the Ft. Pickens area - I get to see large osprey like this! This one had just caught a fish and was having a sushi breakfast as I drove by.


Oops, sorry to interrupt you. No need to go on my account....


But off he goes with the fish tight in his talons.

There's no time to dawdle on turtle patrol. If we find a nest which needs to be relocated, there are restrictions on the time frame within which it must be done. Plus, nesting sea turtles have been known to get disoriented and dehydrated, needing help to get back into the Gulf of Mexico like the beautiful loggerhead at Opal Beach last year. Click HERE to view the photos of the loggerhead and the rescue.

I keep my camera on the seat next to me and grab it frequently, but there's no time to stop and set up a tripod. The birds would be long gone anyway. Vibration of the vehicle increases blur, but at least these photos give you a glimpse of our barrier island stirring at daybreak.

Life is good!

Osprey

A large osprey in the Ft. Pickens area of GINS takes a break from fishing, but keeps a watchful eye on the Gulf of Mexico.

Ospreys at Ft. Pickens

Though not a good photo, this will give you a look at one of the ospreys you can see within Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. He or she is on the look-out for fish to take back to their chicks. I saw one on Sunday flying back to the nest with a large fish in its talons.

There are several nests beginning about five miles into the park. Their large nests are atop tall pine trees killed by Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis and they are easily spotted.

If you drive into the park, pull into the old country store which is still closed. Facing the store, look up and about 90 - 100 degrees to your right and you will see a large nest. There is currently one (maybe two) osprey chicks in the nest, so an adult osprey is generally perched on the edge, standing guard. You can frequently see the chick's head pop up to look around.

I would not suggest getting out of your vehicle to get closer right now since mom and pop can get a bit testy. Just take binoculars and roll down your windows for a pretty good view.

[UPDATE: I just had a comment from PJ, another local photographer I've mentioned before. PJ has fantastic photos she posted just yesterday of what appears to be the same nest I wrote about above! Please click HERE to check out photos of both the nest and the osprey bringing home a large fish. Also check out two of PJ's blogs, "Daily Pensacola Photo" and "Under a Tin Roof Sky", which I have linked under my Blogs I Read column!]

Florida Trail Association

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of joining a group of hikers along a small section of the Florida National Scenic Trail. You may learn more about the Florida Trail Association by clicking HERE.

About a quarter mile past Portofino you will notice the sign above on the north side of the road. This is where our hike began. Don't forget to click on any of the photos you'd like to see in more detail. I can assure you my photos don't do justice to the beauty of the dunes and marshes.


Turning north, we followed white path markers which have an orange stripe at the top of the pole, making our way around the dunes. You can see one of the Portofino Towers to the west.


Hurricanes and tropical storms in the past few years have seriously eroded our dunes, but the surviving vegetation such as sand live oak allow the dunes to re-grow.

I was delighted when one of our trail guides pointed out wild rosemary which is blooming now.

The small shrubs smelled similar, though less pungent, to the potted variety I grow on my patio.

A beautiful piece of driftwood along the trail.

Our area is denoted as the Western Gate section of the Florida Trail.

An osprey nest! I'll have to come back this spring and try for photos of the osprey and its fledglings.

Nothing but 'bones' of this once beautiful, dense pine grove remain after the damage it received from hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.

There are several canals which run through Big Sabine Point. To me, they appear to be man-made, which is possible considering there are remains of an old fish hatchery in the area.

Remains of the fish hatchery which was built five or six decades ago. Though I've been unable to find details about the project, our trail guides had heard they were trying to raise pompano.

What a lovely day and a great hike. Be sure to check out the Florida Trail Association and try to join one of their hikes this spring. Hikes like these are halted during the summer months, but you can always check out their schedule by clicking HERE. The next dunes hike will be held (weather permitting) on March 13.