Something different this time ......
This sanctuary, in Indian Shores, is only 4 miles away from where I live. I haven't been there in several years, at which time it was going through some difficulty due to mismanagement under the previous ownership. At that time it was called the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, and its ongoing survival as an entity was very much in doubt.
In 2016 this facility was re-imagined as a 503c non-profit and renamed, with a grand opening in 2017. Their website is very informative and tells the story:
This is the largest facility of its type in the United States.
So I dropped in there last week since our local nestlings have pretty much moved along. All the photos today are captures from that recent visit. Most of the birds there are being rehabilitated after injury, with the goal of re-releasing them to the wild. Some, however, can never be released due to inability to fly. In addition to residents in the large aviary sections, there are also "drop-in" birds who wander around with the people; some presumably were once patients and see this as a safe place.
A recent addition from last year is a Bald Eagle, named Roosevelt. Roosevelt is there as a result of a gunshot wound, and is unable to fly due to his wing healing incorrectly.
I saw many Black-Crowned Night Herons here; I don't see these in the wild very often where I live.
The juvenile coming up next is also a Black-Crowned Night Heron, but I only discovered that thanks to my Audubon Field Guide. At first glance I thought he was a juvenile Limpkin.
The slight bluish tinge on the beak below the eyes was the clue. The next juvenile, however, is a Limpkin, sporting a very impressive mohawk!
There are many pelicans housed here, including White Pelicans who are seldom seen locally. They are tremendous birds with 9 foot wingspans. The photo doesn't do their size justice.
And of course, our local friend, the Brown Pelican.
I'm very glad I re-discovered this place and expect to return many times!
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