3010-Sandbar Blastoff

Photographed at Bunche Beach, S. Fort Myers, in October 2023. For me, this image celebrates the abundance of birds that have returned to this important bird habitat, one year after Hurricane Ian sent over 12 feet of water roaring through the beach and mangroves and (temporarily, it turns out) dislodged birds, fish, and many other animals from their home.

A huge flock of Sandwich Terns (Sterna sandvicencis) blasted off from an offshore sandbar. Moments later, several Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) did, too. I was standing in thigh-deep water about 50 yards from the birds when they took flight.