Terns, Gulls, Sanderlings, Willet, Northern Gannet on the shores of Sanibel Island

Our next stop was Bowman's Beach. We sat on the sand and watched the procession of birds before us.

Adult non breeding Sandwich Tern with the characteristic yellow-tipped black bill

Bad hair day for these Royal Terns

Adult non-breeding Royal Tern

Sandwich Tern and Royal Tern

For size comparison, Sandwich Tern and Royal Tern

Adult non-breeding and first cycle Laughing Gulls - these are the most common gulls in the Gulf

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A Sanderling found a juice morsel  and is taking off running, hotly pursued by another Sanderling. Note the shells on the beach for which Sanibel is famous.

A Western Willet working the surf; it looks like it's mollting

Notice the clear drop hanging of the bird's bill. This is concentrated salt water produced by the nasal glands, a common way of salt excretion in sea birds

Lastly a big surprise: a huge white and black bird came flying low over the water and dove in for prey. Only after looking at the photo did I realize it was a Northern Gannet that was spending the winter months here.

.... to be continued