Suncoast Bird Sanctuary

Late this morning, we visited Suncoast Bird Sanctuary in Indian Shores. I was a little afraid of seeing injured and rehabilitated birds, fearing a reaction similar to the sadness I felt at the Clearwater Aquarium. The entrance is almost hidden from view, on the Gulf side of Gulf Boulevard. We actually drove past it and turned around, wondering as we entered what was within.

The birds cackled and crowed as we walked through the very modest entrance. A couple of typical "birder" types manned the volunteer tables and many of the birds walked and flew freely through the sanctuary. Others were "behind bars" or in the hospital for treatment but it was altogether a very cheerful place.

We walked on very fine, white sand to the beach and watched free pelicans in the waves. By the time we were ready to leave, it was lunch time and pelicans were diving politely for what looked like ... once again ... mullet. Some birds were practicing their flying abd others were simply resting.

Many birds from the Gulf oil spill were nursed to health in this facility. This little sanctuary seems like a happy place.