This blog features photography of shorebirds seen in Fairhope, Alabama while kayaking on a Spring afternoon.

Great Blue HeronA great blue heron in Fairhope, Alabama

This is a great blue heron. Many people will label it a crane or stork which are not common around Fairhope.

Candian Geese FairhopeCanadian geese and their goslings in Fairhope, Alabama Candian Geese FairhopeCanadian geese and their goslings in Fairhope, Alabama Canadian Geese

brown pelican FairhopeAn adult brown pelican in Fairhope, Alabama brown pelican FairhopeAn adult brown pelican in Fairhope, Alabama brown pelican FairhopeAn adult brown pelican in Fairhope, Alabama An adult brown pelican.

forsterÕs tern FairhopeA forsterÕs tern in Fairhope, Alabama forster’s tern FairhopeA forster’s tern in Fairhope, Alabama forster’s tern FairhopeA forster’s tern in Fairhope, Alabama forsterÕs tern FairhopeA forsterÕs tern in Fairhope, Alabama forsterÕs tern FairhopeA forsterÕs tern in Fairhope, Alabama forster’s tern FairhopeA forster’s tern in Fairhope, Alabama

I believe these are Forster's Terns. You can see various stages of plumage with this set. The breeding adult has a sold black head and black tip on it's bill. The others are immature or still transitioning to their Spring plumage. A juvenile will have an all black bill.

brown pelican FairhopeAn adult brown pelican in Fairhope, Alabama brown pelican FairhopeAn adult brown pelican in Fairhope, Alabama

A brown pelican feeding and then flying off with the Mobile, Alabama skyline in the background. 

Purple Martin FairhopePurple martins in Fairhope, Alabama Purple Martin FairhopePurple martins in Fairhope, Alabama Purple Martin FairhopePurple martins in Fairhope, Alabama Purple Martin FairhopePurple martins in Fairhope, Alabama

Purple Martins are a migratory bird to Fairhope and nest in colonies in the Spring and Summer. 

Laughing Gulls FairhopeLaughing gulls and ForsterÕs Terns on an old pier in Fairhope, Alabama Laughing Gulls FairhopeLaughing gulls and Forster’s Terns on an old pier in Fairhope, Alabama

Laughing gulls and Forster's Terns with the Fairhope Municipal Pier in the background.

Royal Tern FairhopeRoyal Tern in Fairhope, Alabama

Royal Tern with laughing gulls in the background