A great blue heron stands on a sea oats dune on the Santa Rosa Island range Aug. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Great blue herons are found near freshwater, brackish water and saltwater environments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
A great blue heron perches on drift wood along the Santa Rosa Island range Aug. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Great blue herons are found near freshwater, brackish water and saltwater environments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
Laughing gulls frolic along the shoreline of the Santa Rosa Island range Aug. 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Laughing gulls are known for their commanding calls. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)
The Santa Rosa Island Range covers 18 miles and used for military test and training missions. The SRI range is a nesting ground for shorebirds and endangered sea turtle species. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)