Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2024-25


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  • | 10:00 a.m. February 28, 2024
  • | Updated 12:18 p.m. April 16, 2025
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Go to YourObserver.com/weather to submit a photo or several photos! Each week, we will choose a photo to run on the weather page of our print edition.

All submissions will be entered for the 2024-25 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2025, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

To see past entries, visit Facebook.com/ObserverGroup.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a bird of paradise in full bloom in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Agnes Thambynayagam took this photo of the sun setting off of Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a water hyacinth in full bloom at Celery Fields in Sarasota.


David Ondocin took this photo of two black-bellied whistling ducks captured on Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.


Gordon Silver caught this shot of a loving touch between a mother deer and her fawn along a pond in Del Webb.
Donna Jablonski took this photo of a golden sunset on Longboat Key.


Anne Marie Keane took this photo of the sunset from Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.


Leighton Allenby took this photo of a coconut sprouting on Longboat Key.



L.M. Little took this photo of a post-stormy sky in The Meadows.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a peacock butterfly enjoying the many flowers in bloom in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Wendy Bond took this photo of the sun setting over Beer Can Island on Longboat Key.


Dan Creek took this photo on a clear morning in Myakka State Park.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a blue Egyptian water lily in full bloom at Selby Gardens in Sarasota.
Agnes Thambynayagam captured this photo of a Farmers Moon on Longboat Key.
Robert Frank captured the sun setting over a lake near Lakewood Ranch Town Hall after an afternoon rain storm.


Gordon Silver captured a full moon over Del Webb.


Donna Jablonski captured this photo of cloudy sunset on Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a trumpet vine in bloom high in a tree at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took a photo of this young fawn taking a break behind a home in Del Webb Lakewood Ranch.


Shannon Yoder captured this photo of an incoming storm over Whitney Beach on Longboat Key.


Christopher Harrington took this photo of a water lily at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota.


Gordon Silver captured this morning sunrise while flying a drone high over Del Webb.


Vi Sulewski took this photo of a cherry-colored sunset on Siesta Key Beach.


Gordon Silver captured this night heron finishing off a freshly caught snake in a Del Webb pond.



Leslie Combs captured this photo of a white egreat soaring over the ocean near Islands West on Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of an algae-coated turtle in a pond at Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Donna Jablonski captured this photo of a golden sunset over Longboat Key.


Anne Marie Keane captured this sunset at Natures Way in Lakewood Ranch.


Patrick Robinson took this photo of seagulls flying over the shoreline on Siesta Key Beach.


Donna Jablonski captured this photo of a cloudy sunset over Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver shot this photo of a black-bellied whistling duck in Country Club East.


Isabella Clark took this photo of a family of sandhill cranes in The Meadows.


Shannon Yoder took this photo of a stormy sky over Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver captured this young fawn making its rounds in search of food in Del Webb.


Diane Fairey captured this photo of a lightning whelk at sunrise on Lido Beach.


Diane Fairey took this photo of a night heron on Lido Beach.


Gordon Silver took a photo of a great blue heron walking along a lake bed searching for a snack in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Gordon Silver captured this photo of a blacked necked stilt feeding in the waters of Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Gary Wise took this scenic photo of a beautiful sky over Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver captured this photo of a gator hanging out on the edge of a lake admiring his reflection at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver captured this colorful rain shaft east of Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch as the setting sun illuminated the clouds.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a young fawn stopping in Del Webb before moving on to catch up with mom and dad.


Gary Wise took this photo of a grasshopper on Longboat Key.


Diane Fairey captured this photo of a snowy egret on Lido Beach.


Jane Waite took this photo of a cormorant drying out his wings on Longboat Key.


Jane Waite took this photo of a cormorant drying out his wings on Longboat Key.


Richard Bottorff captured this photo of a calf on a ranch in Saddlebag Creek, Myakka City.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a swallow-tailed kite carrying nesting material above Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch.


Jenelle Alber took this photo of some birds in flight at sunrise on Whitney Beach.


Gordon Silver captured this roseate spoonbill in flight across Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Erin Petraites took this photo of the sun rising in Country Club East.


Leighton Allenby captured this photo of a pelican taking off near Bay Isles Beach Club.


Christopher Harrington took this photo of a red bellied woodpecker was showing off his very unique beak deformity at Spanish Point Gardens.


Charles Longo took this photo of clouds at Waterside reflecting on Kingfisher Lake.


Jenelle Alber captured this photo of willets walking the shoreline on Whitney Beach.
Gordon Silver took this photo of sandhill cranes refection at Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a full moon rising over Del Webb.


Jenelle Alber captured this photo of the shells hanging on the “Wishing tree” on Beer Can Island.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a nanday parakeet keeping an eye on the numerous helpings of food at Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver photographed this red shouldered hawk in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Leighton Allenby captured this photo of a juvenile yellow crowned night heron in a nest on Bay Isles, Longboat Key.



John Mange took this photo of a blue sky vine in bloom at Point of Rocks Road on Siesta Key.


Edward Hultgren captured this photo of a dew-covered spider web in Del Webb.


Gail J. Weiser captured this photo of a beautiful sunset from Isles Beach on Longboat Key.


Mika Beckstead captured this photo of a courting male wild turkey in Myakka State Park


Gordon Silver photographed this magnolia in bloom in Del Webb.


Diane Fairey captured this photo of a moon snail, sand dollar and alphabet cone along Lido Beach in Sarasota.


Christopher Harrington captured this spiny-backed orbweaver at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.


Gordon Silver photographed white pelicans in a feeding frenzy along White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.


Leighton Allenby captured this manatee coming up for some fresh air at Longboat Key Club Moorings.


Christopher Harrington captured this cluster of eggs on a leaf at Phillippi Estate Park in Sarasota.


Lesley Fager captured a Hawaiian sunset hibiscus in full bloom in Lakewood Ranch.


Tim Hellige captured this sunset over Longboat Key.


John Sims captured this photo of a male wood duck in Urfer Family Park in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver captured this great blue heron taking a little time off from fishing to dry out his wings in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Jane Eisen captured this seagull taking off from the shoreline on Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver captured this photo of a blue-winged teal at Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Leighton Allenby captured this yellow-crowned night heron in the mangroves in Bay Isles on Longboat Key.


Hope Owens took this photo of hibiscus in full bloom in Lakewood Ranch.


Michael Graham took this photo of these nanday parakeets at Bayfront Park in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver captured this photo of a gecko enjoying the sunshine on a Palm tree in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Gary Wise took this photo of the sun setting off Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a little blue heron posing for a close up at Celery Fields in Sarasota.


Sherry Packard took this photo of the sun streaming through the clouds during a walk around the lake at Heron’s Nest in Lakewood Ranch.


Brian Wamback took this photo of the waves crashing into rocks along the north end of Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a roseate spoonbill feeding along a pond at the Celery Fields.
Gordon Silver took a photo of this large alligator on a lake bank near University Parkway and Lorraine Road in Lakewood Ranch.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a great blue heron waiting patiently for a gator to pass by before continuing on his journey at Celery Fields.


Christopher Harrington took this photo of an egret sunning in South Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took this photo of two deer in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.


Jenelle Alber took this photo of a perfect beach day on Whitney Beach.


Becky Edwards took this photo of a bumble bee on a sunflower at Hunsader Farms.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a young alligator soaking up some sun along the water’s edge in Country Club East.


Jenelle Alber took this photo during a morning walk along Greer Island on Longboat Key.


Rick Waller took this photo of an ibis at Celery Fields.


Robert Frank took this photo of the sun setting over Lake Uihlein after an afternoon rain storm.


Leighton Allenby took this photo of two white egrets in Bay Isles on Longboat Key.


Rick Waller took this photo of a paddle boarder at sunset near Siesta Key


Gordon Silver took this photo of a Sandhill crane colt getting instructions on grub hunting in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Andrea Dombrowski took this photo of an egret striking a pose on Longboat Key.


Mark Petz took this photo of a deer on the Resilient Retreat property in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver caught this blue and yellow macaw posing for a photo at the Waterside Market in Lakewood Ranch.


Andrea Dombrowski took this photo of an egret flying over the water off Longboat Key.


Patrick Sheridan took this photo of the sun setting on Lido Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of two sandhill crane colts playing in the grass off of University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch.


Patrick Bogert took this photo of a heron waiting for a catch near a fishing dock on Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a bald eagle with a fresh catch at Myakka River State Park.


Sherry Packard captured this photo of a little blue heron wading through a lake in the Summerfield neighborhood.


Patrick Bogert captured this photo of a nearly full moon over Longboat Key.


Patricia Donnelly took this photo of an osprey with a fish in Village Walk, Sarasota.


Gina Morcillo took this photo of a beautiful sunset on Siesta Beach.


Patrick Bogert took this photo of a stunning sunset at the beach at Gulfside Road on Longboat Key.


Gina Morcillo took this photo of a beautiful sunset on Siesta Beach.


Gordon Silver took this photo of tiny white daisy-like blooms called German chamomile covering the ground in Del Webb.


Laura Fajardo captured this photo from Beer Can Island on a beautiful clear day.


Becky Edwards took this photo of sea grapes on Sarasota’s bayfront.


Gordon Silver captured a photo of this bromeliad showing off its colors in Del Webb.


Laura Fajardo captured this photo from Beer Can Island on a beautiful clear day.


Vincent OShaughnessy took this photo of a spectacular sunrise on Siesta Key Beach.


Gordon Silver captured this bougainvillea in full bloom in Crestwind in Lakewood Ranch.


Robert Jones captured this photo of an egret on a misting morning on Longboat Key.


Becky Edwards took this photo of a pelican catching lunch at the Tony Saprito Fishing Pier in Sarasota.


Natalie Smith captured this photo of the sunshine coming through the fog in Braden Woods.


Jenelle Alber captured this photo of the sunrise over Bishop’s Bayou on Longboat Key.


Tim Wirt took this photo of two young sandhill cranes in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver captured this doe munching on a tree branch in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Jenelle Alber captured this photo of the sunrise over Bishop’s Bayou on Longboat Key.


Judith Horn captured this photo of the sunset near Ringling Bridge.


Gordon Silver took this photo of hibiscus in bloom in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.


Jenelle Alber took this photo of a snowy egret walking through the rocks on Longboat Key.


Jaime Coppola-Natale captured this shot of a lightning bolt striking near downtown Sarasota.


Sherry Packard took this photo of an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly in Summerfield Glades.


Jenelle Alber took this photo of a pelican striking a pose near Beer Can Island on Longboat Key.



Becky Edwards took this photo from the canopy walkway at Myakka River State Park.


David Ondocin took this photo of a white ibis feeding in Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.


Kip Hall took this photo of the sun setting from the Longboat Key Towers beachfront.


Barrie Wilkie took this photo overlooking a lake in the Esplanade neighborhood in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a great blue heron showing off his prize catch from a lake in Country Club East.


Kip Hall took this photo looking out from Longboat Key Towers at sunrise.


Gary Wise took this photo of a sea urchin on City Island in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took this photo of hundreds of white pelicans taking over a lake for a few days on White Eagle Boulevard.


Jenelle Alber took this photo of small shorebird on Whitney Beach.


Deb Threw took this photo of a snowy egret on Siesta Key Beach.


Darlene Edelman took this photo of a red-tailed hawk in University Park.


Jenelle Alber took this photo of a clear day on Beer Can Island.


Patricia Schultz took this photo of a hawk catching some rays at Nathan Benderson Park.


Phil Pape took this photo of a rainbow over Watercrest Condos.


Billie Dawson took this photo of a stunning sunset on Longboat Key.


John Mange took this photo of a clear blue sky over the Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took this photo of his Christmas cactus starting to bloom in Del Webb.


Jenelle Alber captured this photo of a stunning sunset at Beer Can Island on Longboat Key.


Peter Sarafan captured this photo of an alligator protecting his turf in Myakka State Park.


Barrie Wilkie took this photo of a spectacular sunrise in Lakewood Ranch.


Donna Brown took this photo of the sunrise from Longbeach Village.


Gordon Silver captured this photo of a honey bee gathering nectar from a hibiscus flower in Del Webb.


Scott Veix captured this photo of a pine lily in bloom while hiking in Myakka River State Park.


Donna Brown took this photo of a row of black skimmers on Whitney Beach.


Scott Veix captured this photo of a pine lily in bloom while hiking in Myakka River State Park.


Sarah Cristea took this photo of a calm morning from Bayfront Park.


Gary Wise took this photo overlooking Longboat Pass.


Harold Zuna took this photo of an owl in Country Club at Lakewood Ranch.


Gordon Silver shot this Falcon 9 rocket launch view from Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.
Leslie Merahn took this photo of a grasshopper hanging out in Gulf Gate.


Leighton Allenby took this photo of a pair of wood storks on the Links Golf Course on Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver took this photo of colorful cloud formations over Del Webb at sunset.


Leighton Allenby took this photo of a snowy egret reflecting in Ken Thompson Park.


Michael Cohen took this photo of a young hawk in The Landings near Phillippi Creek in Sarasota.


Gordon Silver took this photo of a buck taking a morning walk in Del Webb.


Leighton Allenby took this photo of a pen shell on Longboat Key Beach.


Donna Brown took this photo of a roseate spoonbill in Myakka State Park.


Jenelle Alber captured this photo of a stunning sunset at Beer Can Island on Longboat Key.


Gordon Silver captured this morning sunrise while flying a drone high over Del Webb.
Gordon Silver captured this morning sunrise while flying a drone high over Del Webb.


 

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