Sunday, July 10, 2011

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary


Juvenile night heron.


A few late baby pelicans.


Scruffy looking great egret. I think he had been fishing for food.


Pelican fly by.

On my way to see the baby skimmers, I stopped by the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary to visit the injured birds. The sanctuary had opened the nets on the big pelican pen so that all of the baby pelicans that were born there could fly away. I guess anything that's not injured can fly out. I did find a few late baby pelicans there. They must have been the last ones to be born. When I was there in early spring the place was full of white fuzzy baby pelicans. Now they are all grown up and gone. There were also a  lot of juvenile night herons hanging around the trees. The wild night herons come there to have their babies.

Stop by the seabird sanctuary if you are ever in the Tampa Bay area. It's free to get in but they really need donations. Seabird Sanctuary link

5 comments:

  1. that night heron shot is amazing!!! love that gorgeous eye!

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  2. Fabulous photos as always, Dina, but I love the first two — the first because it is so dramatic, and the second because it is so precious. Those late baby pelicans look like they've been plucked, they're so featherless. :o)
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  3. those little baby pelicans are too cute. I have look for them next time I head over to seabird! great photos!

    btw - you made carol so happy!

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  4. To answer your query.. yes! We do allow our baby pelicans to make day trips to the gulf to mingle with the wild pelicans, until they stay out permanently. Our resident pelicans can not fly, so they stay put. In the meantime, we get a lot of nosy visitors, such as great blues, black crowned night herons, and wood storks! You captured our last baby pelicans AMAZINGLY, the warm light really reflects how we feel about them!! :) Thank you for sharing, your photos rock!!

    -Ashley G
    Volunteer Coordinator
    Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

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