First Time

We recently took a quick trip to Florida, which, of course, included some time spent at Fort DeSoto County Park. I enjoyed my time watching waders, of course. Unfortunately, there was a fresh southwesterly breeze so any trans-gulf migrants were pushing farther inland or hiding in lower branches to stay out of the breeze.



Saw this interesting combination of trees near the entrance to Arrowhead Picnic Area.



My daughter took a few pictures of me birding.

After the kids tired of the beach, I took them back to Grandpa and Grandma's and made my way to E.G. Simmons County Park. More shorebirds.



Willets were in number everywhere.

Finally, I had my first. Not a new bird, per se, but a new birding experience. I saw a Gray Flycatcher. I had previously seen them in the Bahamas in 2005. This was a first for my US list, though. Therefore, it was the first bird to be a "country bird" in the US without being a lifer.

As I was pondering all of this back at my in-laws, a Swallow-tailed Kite flew over their backyard, eventually there were 6 of them circling about in the evening sky. These were lifers.