I woke up early this morning to get pictures edited for clients so I could go fishing before the rains and cold weather moved into the area. The previous day I only caught one rat redfish in Fish River but did have a good day getting some wildlife photography. I didn't want to go back to Fish River but I also didn't want to be caught on the water with front moving into the area. I ended up going to Fish River this morning because there are sheltered areas to go to in case weather the gets bad. 

I was immediately greeted with a raccoon scouring the bank of the river.

Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA raccoon on the bank of Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA raccoon on the bank of Fish River

Moving up the river I spotted a great blue heron looking for bait fish.

Great Blue Heron in Fish RiverA great blue heron on the bank of Fish River Great Blue Heron in Fish RiverA great blue heron on the bank of Fish River

Looking ahead I saw the outline of a huge bird in a tree. It was bigger than an osprey and about the size of a turkey vulture which are very common. Getting closer I saw it was a juvenile bald eagle. This is becoming a common sight on the Gulf Coast.

Juvenile Bald Eagle in Baldwin CountyA juvenile bald eagle in Fish River

After passing the eagle, I saw a quite humorous scene. A cormorant was sunning itself flanked by two juvenile pelicans. 

Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA cormorant is surrounded by a pair of brown pelicans in Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA cormorant is surrounded by a pair of brown pelicans in Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA cormorant is surrounded by a pair of brown pelicans in Fish River

I still hadn't caught any fish at this point and noticed laughing gulls were flying around the area. This gave me hopes there were schools of speckled trout under them feeding on bait fish. I followed some birds around the bend and saw one of largest flock of laughing gulls just swimming along the water. My hopes were dashed as none of them were diving for bait fish. I threw some lures around the area and no bites. 

Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA flock of laughing gulls in Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA flock of laughing gulls in Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA flock of laughing gulls in Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA flock of laughing gulls in Fish River Wildlife in Baldwin CountyA flock of laughing gulls in Fish River

Striking out, I worked my way back to the boat launch and saw a beautiful osprey perched in a tree.

Osprey in Baldwin CountyAn osprey perched in Fish River Osprey in Baldwin CountyAn osprey perched in Fish River

Yesterday I posted a blog featuring a single brown pelican feeding in Fish River. This morning there were a trio of juvenile brown pelicans putting on a show. It looked like they were practicing for a synchronized diving competition. . 

Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. Brown Pelicans in Baldwin CountyA trio of brown pelicans feeding in Fish River. I didn't catch anything on this trip although I did have a bite while trolling. I'm telling myself there is so much baitfish in Fish River right now that the speckled trout are just being picky right now. From fishing reports of others I've talked to while fishing in the river, it seems my fishing experience is the same in Fishless River. Still, it was great being on the water and it is great seeing wildlife in their environment.