The Beach was calling our name. And so was Oh!Zone. (Our boat, which has been sadly under-used this season.) So last Tuesday we boated down the River to Estero Bay, where we stayed at Snook Bight Marina. The pictures in this post were taken on the first afternoon of our stay. It was an easy walk to the beautiful beach at Newton Park, a public facility belonging to the City of Fort Myers Beach.
The Black-bellied Plover was a lifer for me (first sighting ever)! Hooray.
During the winter season, the sand would undoubtedly have been almost covered with beach blankets, picnics, lounge chairs, umbrellas, radios, and oh, you know, the people who go with all of that. There are still guests in some of the many condos and vacation rentals on Fort Myers Beach, but cusp season (between winter and summer visitors) is a great time for those of us who prefer less excitement.
The crowds this time of year are a different species.
Ruddy Turnstone. Not a first-ever, but the first time I've seen one in non-winter plumage.
A beautiful day on the Beach -- time to head down the street to our home-away-from home on the water!
LINKING TO: SEASONS (thanks to Jesh); NATURE NOTES (thank you Michelle); OUR WORLD on Tuesday (thank you to Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy, Gattina, Arija, and Jenn); WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thank you Stewart); and WEDNESDAY WATERS (thank you Gemma).
Looks wonderful! The beach is beautiful and I love the birds.
Posted by: Gunilla | June 04, 2016 at 09:18 AM
Hello Sallie!:)
Thank you so much for the email and link.:) I will never forget what a Black-bellied Plover looks like now.:) That's a great capture Sallie, congrats on your first sighting of this pretty bird.
Posted by: breathtaking | May 29, 2016 at 02:53 AM
Ah yes, just another beautiful day at the beach.
If missing the crowds means I have to miss the best weather, I'm just fine with that.
Posted by: Pat | May 20, 2016 at 10:25 PM
Beautiful shots and the birdie crowds are what I'd want to share the beach with.
Posted by: Carver | May 19, 2016 at 01:46 PM
Nice photos. Congratulations on the Black-bellied plover!
Posted by: Anu | May 19, 2016 at 12:30 AM
I love seeing your photos. It's amazing how coastal shots can be so different in different places.
Posted by: bettyl-NZ | May 18, 2016 at 05:47 PM
That photo of the sea at sunset...it makes me want to go sit on the beach right now :-)
Posted by: Tanya at RockstarVanity | May 18, 2016 at 10:54 AM
Your photos make me wish I were there!
Posted by: Electra | May 18, 2016 at 08:42 AM
Oh, how I love a boat ride with you. Beautiful shots of birds and beach view. Lovely sunset.
Posted by: nancy chan | May 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM
I have not seen that much vaders for years. :( You are so lucky. Love yoru beach.
My deer and moose images was taekn 3km from where I live. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep | May 17, 2016 at 11:45 PM
Thank you so much for this beautiful blog with amazing photos. I love the birds but also your beach photos.Palm trees to see the coast is very strange to me. Here we have outstretched dunes with marram grass. I love the golden sunlight on the last picture.
O yes, and thanks for your last comment on my blog (about the birthday of my daughter). Very glad with it. Greetings from this Dutch girl xxx
Posted by: Jedidja | May 17, 2016 at 11:32 PM
Wow, that Black-bellied Plover was a new one to me too. A lovely day at the beach. I would love to spend some time at the beach but this will do nicely until I get there. Great pictures Sallie. Thank you!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | May 17, 2016 at 06:32 PM
Wow! I can't wait til we can go to the beach again. Our Spring has been good, it's cooler than last year's. Your photos make me want to go tomorrow but gotta work first. :) Glad to be back here Sally.
Prem
Posted by: Prem | May 17, 2016 at 05:41 PM
Now those are my kind of crowds! That last shot is gorgeous. I love the way the light is shining on the water.
Posted by: Lois | May 17, 2016 at 04:56 PM
your beaches are exceptionally beautiful, as pretty as they are here at the jersey shore. i have always felt ours where the best but i may have to reconsider ;)))
congrats on the lifer, one day i must prepare a list for myself. thanks for the inspiration!!!
Posted by: Debbie | May 17, 2016 at 02:09 PM
Congratulations on your sightings. Birds like the beach empty too.
Posted by: Dianne | May 17, 2016 at 01:45 PM
Uncrowded except by birds - now you're talking my language! I think of you as constantly being by a beach. When are you returning to the PNW?
Posted by: Barb | May 17, 2016 at 01:39 PM
Sigh...it is calling my name all the way up here Sallie...
Posted by: Michelle | May 17, 2016 at 11:40 AM
A Birder's Paradise!
Posted by: Hazel | May 17, 2016 at 09:45 AM
The golden beach looks so peaceful. What a great way to end this lovely post!
Posted by: Sharon | May 17, 2016 at 09:42 AM
As a BOI (Born on the Island) Galvestonian, your photos have stirred the residual sand between my toes! I must take a trip to the beach very soon!
I have never seen a Black-bellied plover! Congratulations on your lifer!!!
Posted by: Florence | May 17, 2016 at 05:59 AM
It looks like a great outing. I love that last photo!!
Posted by: Yogi | May 17, 2016 at 04:35 AM
Great birds - and I get to see Ruddy Turnstones as well - strange to think that they are so widespread.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | May 17, 2016 at 04:01 AM
Your walk on the beach has been interesting with all those beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing!
So now I know what a plover looks like! You are a real expert in the field of birds!
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team
Posted by: Wil | May 17, 2016 at 02:54 AM
What a wonderful day you had at the beach. How neat to see a bird you'd never seen before. I think shore birds are so cool looking.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | May 16, 2016 at 07:47 PM
It is true, we learn a lot about other countries and cultures by blogging.
Posted by: diane | May 16, 2016 at 07:23 PM
I like those kinds of crowds on a beach. Nice to get the boat out.
Posted by: Gaelyn | May 16, 2016 at 06:16 PM
No doubt the birds like this season, too. I can almost smell the ocean air. Lovely.
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | May 16, 2016 at 05:55 PM
Beautiful birds! Gorgeous beach, so empty! I'm always a fan of beach photography. Not much of that here in the desert.
Posted by: Clair Z. | May 16, 2016 at 05:33 PM
What a lovely beach - I'm ready after our miserable spring!
Posted by: Al | May 16, 2016 at 04:54 PM
Who knew even a seasoned bird watcher like you still have birds you have not seen. Glad you finally got to tick off one from your list.
Traveling to Orlando this summer for some Disney time. Hopefully we can go to the beach too.
Posted by: Photo Cache | May 16, 2016 at 03:32 PM
If Terry ever stops farming! I WANT TO GO THERE for a couple of weeks!
Linda
Posted by: Linda | May 16, 2016 at 03:25 PM
Beautiful beach and bird photos. I do understand the attraction of the beach, especially when it is all yours.
You can see a sister ship, also named Pilar, to Hemingway's Pilar at Bass Pro Shop in Islamorada, FL in the Keys. Know that is a long drive for you, but this is a perfect excuse to spend a weekend in the Keys. Bet there aren't many tourist there this time of year either.
Posted by: Taken For Granted | May 16, 2016 at 03:22 PM
Sallie gorgeous beach and plover shots! and other feathered friends ~
Happy Week to you ~ ^_^
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | May 16, 2016 at 01:58 PM
congrats on the new bird sighting!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | May 16, 2016 at 01:50 PM
A great day out. And I love the golden hues in your last photo.
Posted by: Lady Fi | May 16, 2016 at 12:24 PM
I do miss that area as we spent so many wonderful days in the Naples/Ft. Myers/Sanibel area. I've been on that very beach in the summer and know just how hot it can be. And I'm impressed with your knowledge of the local birds!
Posted by: Lowell | May 16, 2016 at 12:12 PM
I love your life! You have such fun. I greatly prefer the beach with the birds rather than people! Are there any beaches down there that aren't populous?
Posted by: Nan | May 16, 2016 at 11:45 AM
Oh, a lovely day at the beach! That Plover looks like it is wearing a little furry hat! Congrats on the sighting, I always like to see new birds. I love that last shot. Makes me want to head down to the lake.
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | May 16, 2016 at 11:35 AM
If I had a boat I would be wanting to take it out all the time...well, almost. Your photos are gorgeous, Sallie. Thank you so much for sharing, your posts bring me much joy. :)
Posted by: Linda | May 16, 2016 at 10:34 AM
Yay! A Black-bellied Plover. As I'll likely not ever seen one in its habitat, I truly appreciate your photo here.
Your two beach scenes are magical, Sallie. The dip in the landscape, ocean and sky has a magical feel to it. Love them all.
Posted by: Penny | May 16, 2016 at 09:49 AM
Lovely beach to explore and enjoy. I love beach birds! That black bellied plover is very cool. How fun that you saw it and were able to photograph it!
Posted by: ellen b | May 16, 2016 at 08:30 AM
Stunning! Have a great week!
http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com
Posted by: kelleyn rothaermel | May 16, 2016 at 08:27 AM
I like this pretty golden beach.
Everything that appears over here will into a piece of gold.
Posted by: Rainfield61.blogspot.com | May 16, 2016 at 05:56 AM
...may I come down and spend the rest of the summer with you? Awesome beaches!!!!...and our SC beaches are so jam packed one does not dare go there this time of yr for the same reasons you just quoted...in case you didn't see my reply to your comment on my page, I really hope E8 can pull through this surgery..he has had a rough life so far..:o(
I'm a "Friend" on their Facebook page.
Posted by: Sondra-SC | May 16, 2016 at 05:53 AM
It’s great to think there are never-ending first-ever sightings in nature, and may they all be good ones. :) I like how the light falls on the water in the last shot ... I can almost hear the surf. Just the opposite in my neck of the woods, by the way. It’s winter when the beaches get quiet and less crowded and to me more enjoyable.
Posted by: Penelope Puddlisms | May 16, 2016 at 04:36 AM
Hello Sallie, pretty shots of the Plover and the Turnstone. The sunset capture and beach are beautiful. It is a lovely place to enjoy when the tourist are gone. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | May 16, 2016 at 04:23 AM
How nice to do a boat trip again and it looks as if you have a wonderful blue sky too !
Posted by: Gattina | May 16, 2016 at 03:04 AM
Good for you to take the boat out again. the beach is a heat place when all the tourists go home. I love going in winter here.
Posted by: diane | May 16, 2016 at 02:58 AM
Oh,Dearest Sallie, I just love your first two phrases♪ Yes, beach is your personal place and I NEED more ozone p:-) Fort Myers Beach looks really wonderful place to spend time there. Congratulations on your first sighting of the Black-bellied Plover♡♡♡ Thank you very much for the beautiful beach pictures with birdies, Dear friend.
How wish I had wonderful place like your 'home-away-from home'(♥˘◡˘♥)
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | May 16, 2016 at 02:41 AM