The weather turns

Wednesday February 27, 2013
Site 49, Sebastian Inlet State Park
Vero Beach, Florida

 

We’ve been pretty spoiled by the weather here these past many days including today.

Tuesday

Today’s high is 86 and the beach is hopping.  The temperatures will be dropping beginning tomorrow and the winds picking up   Winter in Florida is returning.   But today it’s all about  the waves the birds and the surfers.

 

Great waves.  

Sunny and warm

 

 

 

 

Big waves with lots of salt ocean spray thanks to the winds.

 

 

 

Is the drum major sitting down on the job??

 

 

 

The boys are having a great time.

 

Still my favorite spot.

  

 

 

Wednesday
Things change.

 

It’s just dawn when I head out to see the sunrise and find the day after full moon shining over the inlet.

I walk over to the ocean side and see just the beginnings of color in the foggy east.

  

 

And when I turn around there is the moon in the west.  

Face the ocean, sunrise.  Back to the ocean full moon. 

But by the time I can actually see the sun in the east it is half an hour after official sunrise and  the moon has disappeared from the west.

Oh what a beautiful morning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The turn in the weather makes a change in the afternoon at the beach.

 

Little change for the birds who line the shore but do you notice the difference between the shot below and my closing Tuesday ocean view shot??

 

Not much difference for the surfers although there are many fewer.

 

  

 Yes, I’m devoted, that’s for sure.

Ok if you didn’t notice the difference I’ll bet you do now.  You have to admit, I’m not a fair weather friend.   I watch the birds to know which way to face my chair.  They face into the wind – usually – so I face them to have my back to the wind on really windy days.

 

 

These guys are not deterred by the weather.
Just look at these faces.

I love my facial portrait of the Ring-billed gull so I think I’ll try to do some of the other common beach crew.

If you didn’t see the ring-billed please do.  I’m pretty happy with it.  I had no idea they were so unique looking. Look here.

 

The face of the Royal Tern.   From  a distance, they all look alike. 
But when you look closely the differences are obvious.

 

 

 

The black skimmer’s portrait shows his interesting bill.  Skimmers feed by gracefully skimming their lower bill through surface waters where small fish are caught unaware.   They re able to fish by feel during dawn, dusk and at night.  They rest during the day here probably after their early morning fishing.  They seem to appreciate each other’s company and don’t mind the terns joining them.  Terns, gulls and skimmers are all part of the Laridae family.   So I guess this big group is just a family gathering.  Wonder how many of us would like a daily family reunion with such a big family.

 

 

 

    

   

** a note to reader Capt Joey who asked about no-see-ums here.  At this time of year we have had no trouble at all with them or the mosquitoes.  There is almost always a breeze of some sort.   And to Syl, too soon to tell about sportbrella.  Will keep you posted.