The magnificent frigatebird is a spectacular sea bird that has the power to make you feel special just by seeing them. I see them most frequently along the beaches in the summer, riding thermals high in the sky. Some of these birds nest on a small key in northern Sarasota Bay near Cortez. On a few occasions, I’ve poled my skiff close enough to the key to see the distinct red gular sac on the male birds. This past Sunday, the winds were out of the south at around 25 mph. I was snook fishing near Blackburn Point in the skiff and the birds appeared. They’re masterful flyers that harness the wind. I watched them practice their diving ritual for a bit before snapping off a quick picture to remember them by.
