Mississippi Gulf Coast: Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor

After leaving Point Park in Pascagoula, my hubby and I traveled west along Highway 90 until we reached Ocean Springs then south to the small craft harbor.  With a portion of sandy beach, a couple of super nice piers with covered pavilions and long rock jetties, this harbor attracts visitors of all ages. 

It also attracts a variety of birds,

including dozens of Rock Pigeons...

Double-Crested Cormorants...

American Oystercatchers...

Killdeer (some were hiding behind the rocks)...

Ruddy Turnstones (not a clear picture, but this little couple was snuggling)...

Lots and lots of European Starlings...

And, of course, Brown Pelicans...

There is a pretty view of the Mississippi Sound from the harbor and I've heard the sunsets are spectacular.  Of all the harbors along the gulf coast that I've visited, this one is among my favorites.

If you're ever in the Ocean Springs area, 

a visit to the small craft harbor is well worth your time. 

Thank you for visiting...have a wonderful evening!

Photos taken November 30, 2014

Mississippi Gulf Coast: Biloxi Lighthouse Pier

In my previous post, I wrote about my day trip on November 21st to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and posted photos from my bird sightings at Ken Combs Pier.  Continuing on, I left Ken Combs Pier and traveled east on Highway 90 toward Biloxi.  I turned in and circled around what was once the Broadwater Beach Marina in Biloxi.  The marina is long gone, but the area remains popular for fishing.   The Broadwater Marina Lighthouse was once a part of the President Casino Broadwater Resort, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  The lighthouse sustained damage during the hurricane but has been repaired.   

Broadwater Marina Lighthouse

Biloxi Lighthouse

Traveling further on Highway 90, I stopped for a moment to capture the above shots of the Biloxi Lighthouse.  Constructed in 1848, this is the second-oldest cast iron lighthouse in the U.S.  The interior of the lighthouse was restored in 1990 but suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Katrina.  Interior repairs were completed in early 2010.  

Across the highway, I spotted some birds on the east shore of the Biloxi Lighthouse Pier.  Of course, I had to investigate...

There were no surprises on the shore of this pier-

Pigeons-A-Plenty...

More Black Skimmers...I took note that most of the time these birds stand with their face to the east, unless they're napping with their heads tucked in.  

Look closely at their bills and you'll know why they're called Black "Skimmers".  Do you see it?  The lower mandible in longer than the upper.  Additionally, the bill is knife-thin.  The bird drags the lower bill through the water as it flies along, hoping to catch small fish.  When the mandible touches a fish, the upper bill (maxilla) snaps down instantly to catch it.

Of course there were Laughing Gulls near the water's edge...

The Beau Rivage Marina Lighthouse can be seen east of the Biloxi Lighthouse Pier.  Maybe on my next trip to the gulf coast I'll take a closer look.

I hope you are enjoying my photos from the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Most of you that are familiar with the area know that nearly everything along this coast was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina. The beautiful old homes, historic buildings and huge trees that once graced the coastal highway are gone.  That was 9 years ago.  Recovery has been a gradual, painful process, but the cities of Gulfport and Biloxi have made tremendous progress since.  

Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend Peeps!  

Mississippi Gulf Coast: Ken Combs Pier

A beautiful, sunny day at the beach has temporarily cured me of the "birding blues". Last Friday, I drove along coastal Highway 90 in Harrison County and stopped at a few of the piers and marinas, where I received a good dose of bird therapy...

First stop- Ken Combs Pier 

  

Unfortunately, the pier remains closed due to severe storm damage, but sources report that it should soon be repaired.  However, it's a great spot to view coastal birds- they hang out along the shoreline, low sand dunes and rock jetties around the pier.

File photo from March 2014

Clapper Rail

Taking an early morning bath

Ring-billed Gull

Rock Pigeons in a passionate moment

Love, sweet love :)

A curious (or jealous) onlooker?

Several Laughing Gulls splashed around near shore

A few Ruddy Turnstones made an appearance

Numerous Black Skimmers basked in the sun along the shoreline

They took flight as I approached...

While some descended upon a sand hill offshore,

Many of the skimmers made a wide loop and returned

As I started to leave, my attention turned to a vast flock of migrating birds descending upon treetops and a hotel roof across the highway.  Hundreds of them made several circles around the building then momentarily roosted in a tall tree.  I tried to zoom in close enough to see if I could identify them, but they were too far away.  

I took way too many photos of my day trip to publish in one post, so there's more to come.  Thank you for stopping by!  

Sunday Morning on the Beach

It had been a while since Charlie and I visited the coast so we decided on Saturday night that we would rise early Sunday morning and take a short trip there.  Gulfport is a mere 45 minute drive from our house so there's no excuse why we couldn't go more often.   

When we arrived, the early morning sun was hugging the shoreline, reflecting brilliant yellows, oranges and pink through the clouds.  It was truly beautiful.  

While Charlie mostly sat on a bench with his cell phone, I walked along the shoreline and took in all the beauty of the sandy beach.  (He did join me intermittently for a few minutes).  I was thankful we decided to come early- the sunrise alone was breathtaking.  

I felt a sense of peace within my spirit...surrounded by silence except for a few noisy seagulls and the occasional hum of a car passing by.

I was wishing the morning could last all day...

As I continued to amble slowly through the sand, I visualized a summer crowd- kids romping in the sand and building castles, splashing in the water,young sun seekers stretched out on colorful beach towels, couples seated together in lounge chairs shaded by big, bright umbrellas, families seated at picnic tables with their plates of junk food, dogs chasing seagulls or playing fetch...

I'm no longer part of the "beach" crowd...I never was much of a beach babe anyway,

but I enjoyed spending time with my family at swimming places we frequented while they were young. Nowadays I'm happy with the quiet side of the beach...

I was wishing I had brought some bird food so I could feed the seagulls...

I know from experience that they love corn chips ;).

Actually, I believe they'll eat nearly anything.

I followed this Rock Pigeon closely to get a few good snapshots...

he probably thought I was one of the craziest humans he'd ever seen ;)))

I wonder if he's ever encountered a bird-watching, photo-fanatic like me...

What a gorgeous few hours on the beach! 

 I'll have to do this again before the summer heat sets in.