The following brief notes, accompanying photos by Diane’s sister Kate Renz, were published in the Burnt Store Marina Beacon during 2017.

Great Egret:

The Great (aka Common or American) Egret is a magnificent bird and the symbol of the National Audubon Society. It is occasionally confused with the Great White Heron which has yellow legs rather than the black legs of the Great Egret. Both have yellow bills. This photo was taken by my sister-in-law Kate Renz at the small pond behind the homes on the west side of Courtside Landings from Matecumbe Key Road.

The Osprey and the Sheepshead:

OK, I must confess that there is really not much of a plot to this story – Osprey 1 :  Sheepshead 0.

This was another of the wonderful photos which Kate shared after her recent visit with us. This one was taken from our powerboat, Kismet, near Marker 5 of the channel into Useppa Island.

One of the most interesting and unique aspects of the Sheepshead are the several rows of stubby teeth which it uses to crush the shells of the oysters, clams, barnacles, fiddler crabs and various other crustaceans which it dines on. This one seems to have already lost its teeth along with the rest of its head.