My first visit to Dauphin Island was in 2012, just a couple of years after discovering photography. So many firsts on my trips to the Island. Actually almost anything I saw was a first. My first shore birds, my first shoot on a beach , the first time my eyes were opened to the beauty of the shore birds.
These shots are from my first two visits to the island. I can vividly recall the moment I saw my first ever reddish egret as it danced around the water hunting. There was absolutely not another soul around for at least 1 mile. Just me sitting/ laying in the sand and water totally engaged with the egret. I do relish that memory as I never found him/her again on any subsequent visit.
This has been a rough hurricane season for those of us along the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast. I am not sure how Dauphin Island faired. Certainly there was beach erosion. The west end of the island where lots of the birds nest was only 200 yards or less wide.
Some of the pictures I have seen sadden me, as the waters have reclaimed a lot of the beach .
Feeling nostalgic and sad for the island, I visited my hard drive.
As always your nits, crits and suggestions are most appreciated.
Wildlife has had to cope with flooding, hurricanes, wild fires, etc. for millions upon millions of years before humans even evolved. Now, with a few billion humans and all their infrastructure, these events are much more devastating to humans, and worldwide communications inform us more about them happening.
We heard about all the wildlife that died in the Aussie wildfires, but I have not heard much about wildlife killed in the U.S. fires. There had to have been a lot.
Just beautiful Birdie. Living here in SC I understand what you are saying about the devastation from these hurricanes. One of our favorite campgrounds we enjoyed going to, where I also cut my first shorebirds teeth, was destroyed a few years ago. It will never be the same.
Mother nature can bring us sadness but she also brings us much joy as shown and felt in your above images.
I just wish my first images looked as nice as yours.
Ahhhhh, that is a wonderful feeling in that sunset image Birdie, lots of mood and love the structure on the right and the hints of shadow details that are there. Sanderling #5 is a standout, environment inclusion of the shells makes the shot for me, love it. Nice touch on the PP on the Reddish images and Dowitcher is a slight bit comical as it looks like it is playing in the sand!
Birdie, I was lucky enough to visit Dauphin Island a good number of times. It was an easy day trip from my home in NW Florida. The entire island is very susceptible to flood surge. It doesn't even take much of a storm to inundate the western end of the island. I haven't heard from any of my birding pals as to how it and Ft. Pickens fared during the storm. The road to Ft. Pickens will surely be closed for a long time even if it wasn't damaged. Your photos brought back good memories for me. Thanks.
Impressive for when you started out, Birdie. The last 2 are my picks. I think if you cropped most of the blue in the sunset, you would get the horizon out of the middle and make it a stronger image. JMO.
Rex
Gorgeous work Roberta. The first of the reddish is my favorite as well as the sunset.
It has been a tough season here on Long Island as well with so many storms in the Atlantic washing out nesting areas and one direct hit killing all the black skimmer chicks. I've been thinking of what you must be going through with all the storms so close. Hang in there, 2020 will end!
Imagemaster wrote:
Great oldies and great memories Birdie.
Wildlife has had to cope with flooding, hurricanes, wild fires, etc. for millions upon millions of years before humans even evolved. Now, with a few billion humans and all their infrastructure, these events are much more devastating to humans, and worldwide communications inform us more about them happening.
We heard about all the wildlife that died in the Aussie wildfires, but I have not heard much about wildlife killed in the U.S. fires. There had to have been a lot.
Tony
Thanks Tony! Yep, increasing population, loss of habitat, climate changes, weather events, etc. all contributing factors to change. Nothing stays the same , all things change. If nothing else, hopefully we learn to appreciate the moments we have .
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lighthound wrote:
Just beautiful Birdie. Living here in SC I understand what you are saying about the devastation from these hurricanes. One of our favorite campgrounds we enjoyed going to, where I also cut my first shorebirds teeth, was destroyed a few years ago. It will never be the same.
Mother nature can bring us sadness but she also brings us much joy as shown and felt in your above images.
I just wish my first images looked as nice as yours.
Dave
Thanks so much Dave. You have had a rough hurricane season as well. The first places that excite our interests to learn and photograph the animals will always hold such a special place. It saddens us to know that it is gone and others may not have the same special moments.
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sum1sgrampa wrote:
You always bring that little bit of magic to everything you show here Birdie. This time you brought a lot ! These are spectacular. Stay safe
Gary
Thanks so very much Gary. You always say the kindest things.
Fred Amico wrote:
Wonderful images, Birdie, with the last a stunner for me.
Appreciate it Fred, thank you.
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Karl Witt wrote:
Ahhhhh, that is a wonderful feeling in that sunset image Birdie, lots of mood and love the structure on the right and the hints of shadow details that are there. Sanderling #5 is a standout, environment inclusion of the shells makes the shot for me, love it. Nice touch on the PP on the Reddish images and Dowitcher is a slight bit comical as it looks like it is playing in the sand!
Lovely lovely set my dear
Karl
Hey Karl ! Hope you are doing well. Thanks so very much for the nice comments.
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Bobg657 wrote:
Roberta, wonderful images and memories, that looks like a special place.
Bob
