Sunrise in Port St. Joe

I woke up before sunrise this morning and headed to the park across the road. I did not have any expectations, but I ended up having a great bird photography session. The Great Egret above is my favorite photo from this morning. Port St. Joe is on the east side of Saint Joseph Bay, so the rising sun was behind me producing these wonderful reflected colors in the water.

When I arrived at the park, the sun was just rising and the moon had not yet set. I liked the way the moon hung in the sky behind these Turkey Vultures.

I see this Great Blue Heron and imagine a wise old man meditating while watching the rising sun. Who me, anthropomorphizing? Nah.

When I got to the pool with the Egret from above, a Clapper Rail was briefly visible, but quickly disappeared into some tall grass. The Clapper Rail is a new life bird for me, so the morning was off to a great start both from a photography perspective as well as from a birding perspective.

As I wandered down the shore, I saw this Black-Bellied Plover, a new addition for my 2025 list.

Only a couple of yards away was this Semipalmated Plover, also another addition for my 2025 list.

Flying through the air were a collection of Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows. This picture is of a Tree Swallow.

In addition to the swallows in the air, sometimes the Dunlins would fly from one spot on the beach to another.

As I headed back to my hotel, I saw this Northern Mockingbird. While I have deleted countless Northern Mockingbird photos this trip, the early morning light gives this one a nice look.

Generally, this trip is not well suited to taking great photographs. The best time for bird photography is sunrise and sunset because of the wonderful light at those times. However, unless I am staying right next to a good birding spot, it is very difficult for me to be out at those times. Today was a lovely exception. I am glad to have captured some images I like, especially the Great Egret at the top of the post.