Hello Everyone,
          Its Aimee, one of the Interpretive Naturalists here at Crandon Park. This morning upon my arrival at 7am to the park, I saw an American Kestral sitting in the parking lot, of course as I got closer in my car, it flew away but none the less it was exciting to see one. I believe it was a male since from the quick glimpse I got I remember the distinct blue coloration.
           After my experience in the parking lot I decided I was going to take a stroll down the beach in one of the trucks before the rest of the staff arrived. So I quickly dropped off my belongs in the office, grabbed the truck keys and my camera and headed out. What a wonderful idea! The weather was a beautiful change from our normal South Florida warm weather. I first headed up toward the Bear Cut Preserve but the tide was a little high so I opted out of heading up that way. I drove slowly just past the wrack line enjoying the sun rising over the horizon and a Brown Pelican seemed to be enjoying the weather and the early morning hours with me. I finally got down to the south end of Crandon beach were I knew I would find a bunch of shore birds hanging out. There they were: Semiplamated Plovers, Black-billed Plovers, Sanderlings, Royal Terns, Laughing Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Double Crested Cormorants all sitting on the shore line. The Brown Pelicans were sitting on the water just off the shore. I got out of the truck and took a few pictures and then the most amazing thing happened. The birds all took off and it seemed like they were preforming and arial ballet in the sky over the water with the sunrise as the backdrop.
This really brightened my day. What a beautiful morning!

CRANDON PARK SUNRISE BEACHCOMBING
Saturdays, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach wreck line. Learn about shorebirds and the many plant and animal species that inhabit the coastal environments of South Florida. Bring your binoculars along and your water shoes in tow! You never know what the tide might wash in!
$ 3.00/Person
Reservations required.305-361-6767 ext. 112

Crandon Park Visitors and Biscayne Nature Center,
6767 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, Fl. 33149,
Parking Lot #1, North Beach Entrance