Tropical Storm Ida didn't hit here with the ferocity that was originally predicted, but it did churn things up for a while, and made things a bit more difficult for some of the animals that can't retreat into a house. This Common Loon, which may have recently arrived in Florida from its breeding grounds up North, had apparently been worn out by all the wind and churning water and worked its way up onto the beach, where it was exposed to predators. While I understand letting nature take its course, I decided to take this bird across the dunes to the protected bay side of the barrier island where the water was calm, and where there were many small bait fish for it to eat. Shortly after we released it, it began looking under water to search for food. 
Common Loon (Gavia immer)
The placement of the loon's legs make it an excellent swimmer, but a very awkward walker.
Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)
Large shorebirds that are fun to watch
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
I've been noticing doves and House Sparrows like this one taking advantage of acorns that have been crushed by cars and pedestrians, when they might otherwise not be able to eat them due to their inability to crack the hard outer shell.
Our local treefrogs' breeding season ended a few months ago, and without the loud choruses it sometimes seems as though the frogs simply disappear for a few months. Fortunately, the frogs don't disappear, and it's nice to still see one once in a while.
Pine Woods Treefrog (Hyla femoralis)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
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