The weather was gorgeous this week. Cool temps, cerulean blue skies, and wide open spaces. I took an afternoon and spent some time on the Okaloosa Island Pier and surrounding beaches near Fort Walton Beach. Fishermen (and women) were out casting for trout, and pelicans and herons were fishing for leftovers. The birds were huge, much bigger than you might think. The herons were at least four-foot tall, neck extended. They have become so acclamated to humans, I could get close enough to pick them up… but I am smarter than that.
Pelicans have a sharp, pointed tooth on the tips of their beaks and herons have talons any predator would be proud to have.
My view from the pier…
Island Pier
Into the Gulf
Looking for handouts
Flat feet
Checking the lines
Needs a pedi
Night lights
Study in white
Winter beach
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, Nikon CoolPix S205 and/or iPhone4)
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Wishing and dreaming I was there!!! Wonderful pics as always.
I’ve never seen a heron so close. I never realized they were so large. Now pelicans? Yeah, they’re huge. All of your pictures are beautiful!
WOW!! Awesome pictures!! Love them!
Happy Sunday!
Great photos. Did you give them any handouts?
I absolutely love the study in white. Just a gorgeous shot. The talons on that heron are amazing.
Loved your comment and photo of needs a pedi. It made me smile.
Beautiful shots… those bird feet shots are my favs, though. What cool angles and photo ideas!!!!
Such lovely wide open spaces.
Enjoy.
I have always loved beaches, and beaches in the winter are the best because then you usually only have the locals :D
Nothing is more fun that watching pelicans.
So lovely. My son was asking how you got so close to the birds. You know Tara, today’s the only Sunday I didn’t visit your blog first – I usually see yours from the email update first, even before I start working on my Sunday post. What a treat, as usual!
I want to move to the beach too!!!
Even if I can manage and this autumn has been long and not too cold…this darkness feels endless…
We have a lot good things here…we can drink tapwater, our public transportation is good, healthcare is almost free (we pay taxes) etc.
Enjoy your beautiful weather, good camera plus your talent to shoot beautiful photos!
We went to the outerbanks this summer and my husband took alot of pictures (and when I say alot, I mean 100′s) of Pelicans. They weren’t scared that we stood so close. They were beautiful.
“Needs a pedi” cracked me up!
Gorgeous as usual. Especially because in my town right now, it’s about 15 degrees this morning. :)
Pelican feet are wonderful!!!!
Your beautiful pictures brought back great memories for me. I lived in Ft. Walton Beach a long time ago. I would love to get back for a visit to those beautiful white sand beaches.
Once again, I am so grateful for your gift of photography as I get to remember my years of living along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Glad my feet are not that flat, yet.
Oh how I love the beach…these pics make me feel like I’m there. All are so absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for that Tara…. ~Joy
I was just telling my Hubs the other day that we need to move to the beach. I can’t imagine fighting this traffic the rest of my life. I’d much rather listen to the soothing sounds of the surf. love, Love, LOVE these Superior Snaps!