Seabirds on a Florida Beach

Bird-watching brings peace. The mind's chatter stops. Wild birds teach me something too deep to articulate. 

Snowy egret fishes in waters shaded from the noonday sun.

Fort DeSoto Park, encompassing five barrier islands on the west coast of Florida south of St. Petersburg, is a bird sanctuary. The green-blue shallows with schools of fish and white sand beaches lined with mangroves and palm hammocks invite birds. 

After consultation with the bird book, I'm inclined to identify this as a little blue heron.

Sanderlings never seem to stop skittering from the waves.

With a surge of delight I notice a large bird perching on a nest of sticks atop a tall cement chimney next to the old fort. A closer approach confirms it is an osprey.

Ospreys' nest

Another adult osprey approaches the nest, and the parent lifts its wing. The ospreys seemed unconcerned about the photographer far below. 

When I walk around to the other side of the chimney, I see three osprey chicks perched close to the edge. In the photo below, two of the youngsters hide their heads.

Osprey chicks

The white ibis' long beak allows it to dig deep in the sand.

I got out the bird book for this one, too. I believe it is a willet.