Slow Day at Fort DeSoto Park
Sometimes there are slow photography days. All nature photographers have them. The light can be flat and gray, birds can be scarce, and at other times you just don’t “feel it” and have a tough time “seeing” an image. During my most recent trip to Fort DeSoto, I had one of those days.
I arrived at Fort DeSoto 15 minutes before sunrise without any significant cloud coverage. Wind was light and the tide was low. Birding is usually better at Fort DeSoto when the tide is rising, so I knew it was a risk before deciding to go.
Walking down to the beach, I saw two Black-bellied Plovers in the tidal lagoon. This is an area normally teeming with birds. One flew off fairly quickly, while the other stuck around. I took a few photos but it was still pre-dawn but these photos didn’t look all that great. Then a couple of American Oystercatcher’s flew in. It was “AE” and its mate, both Fort DeSoto residents. I focused on the unbanded bird and took a few frames. The sun was just beginning to pop over the horizon, providing a touch of pink in the morning light.
American Oystercatcher. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 500mm, ISO 1250, f/5.6, 1/800 sec.
The oystercatchers flew away after hanging around for just a minute or two. Not seeing anything at the north end of North Beach, I decided to walk out to the surf. A colony of about 50 Black Skimmers were about a quarter mile down the beach but they were being watched by the overly protective “bird guardian” Lorraine who frequently chases off photographers and any other park guests. Not wanting the hassle, I walked in the opposite direction and saw some Sanderlings, Willet, and Ruddy Turnstones working the surf.
Sanderlings. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 380mm, ISO 360, f/5.6, 1/3200 sec.
Sanderling. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 390mm, ISO 450, f/5.6, 1/3200 sec.
Ruddy Turnstone. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 500mm, ISO 640, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec.
Willet. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 500mm, ISO 450, f/5.6, 1/3200 sec.
A Brown Pelican flew by, so I snapped a quick shot, then walked back to the lagoons. As I walked up to the tidal lagoon, a Reddish Egret flew in and started to immediately perform its hunting “dance.” I sat on the shore and started shooting. Although he only stayed a couple of minutes before flying off, I did manage to get a couple nice frames.
Brown Pelican. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 500mm, ISO 560, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec.
Reddish Egret. Nikon Z9 with 200-500mm f/5.6 lens, handheld. Shot at 500mm, ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/3200 sec.
Even on slow days at Fort Desoto you can walk away with a nice set of photos. While my normal Fort DeSoto trips are about three hours, I only stuck around on this day for an hour and half. Hopefully the next visit will be even better. I haven’t seen the White Morph of the Reddish Egret this season, so I will definitely be back soon.
