The new boardwalk opens up new sunrise vistas for the early bird photographer. There’s nothing like nesting birds bring in sticks against a bright orange sky!

I arrived 30 minutes before sunrise, so I had to wait a few minutes for them to open the park gates. It was a foggy morning. I walked across the street where there was a pretty landscape of trees, fog, and orange-illuminated sky.

I took my bike so that I could get to the boardwalk quickly for the best dramatic light. The Roseate Spoonbills were already active. They’d fly back and forth with nesting material. I loved the backlight in this bird’s wings as he flew towards his nest.

My camera shutter went crazy as the birds went by. A pileated woodpecker with his tall crest. A Black-crowned Night Heron with nesting material. Then this Wood Stork flew right in front of me.

The vultures sleep in the treetops, so it’s pretty easy to find a good angle for a sunrise silhouette.

The giant orange orb peeked up over the horizon just as a vulture flew past. You can see the “cormorant Christmas tree” on the left. Another photographer said “here we go!” just as a flock of Black-bellied Whisting ducks took flight with a chorus of whistles. What a great morning to be outside!

Want to know what else I saw that morning? Come back for the next post!