Whenever we return to our condo on Longboat Key, Florida, it takes awhile to encounter our varied avian neighbors. Like old friends, they appear over time and it is always a pleasure to become reacquainted.
Some, like brown pelicans, laughing gulls and ospreys are hard to miss, whether from our seawall on Sarasota Bay or from the Gulf of Mexico beach, across the road. But, gradually, the others make their appearance as well; white ibis, anhingas, tricolored herons, yellow-crowned night herons and little blue herons on the Bay, royal, least and sandwich terns, black skimmers, American oystercatchers and a host of shorebirds on the beach and magnificent frigate birds and northern gannets out at sea.
Of course, there are a few species that are uncommon enough to garner special attention; roseate spoonbills, glossy ibis, wood storks and reddish egrets fall into that category. Eventually, they all turn up and I sincerely appreciate their hospitality; after all, this is their home and I enjoy the opportunity to seek their company.
