Technology, Books and Other Neat Stuff

I can't leave Florida without one final set of photographs of skimmers on the Gulf Coast.

We left Orlando on Friday evening, after TechEd finished, and headed away from the hodgepodge of theme parks and tourist traps for some peace and quiet on the coast. Clearwater Beach was a bit too busy for our tastes, but Honeymoon Island and Dunedin were rather delightful, as was Pass-a-grille, where we spent last night just across from the beach.

As the sun set, the skimmers came back, sliding gracefully over the calming sea.





A fitting end to a long trip.

Home tomorrow.

I seem to have become fascinated with skimmers. They move so fast, so precisely, darting among the waves as they break on the white soft sands of these Florida barrier islands.

We came back to Anna Maria tonight, for our last night on the coast. The skimmers came back too, much closer this time, skimming along the high-tide tideline, hunting for fry and small fish. Their black-and-white plumage contrasted with the green grey of the sunset waves.







Beautiful birds.

I wonder if it's the way they've become so specialised that interests me so much.

Or perhaps they just photograph well...