More surprises in Lakes Park

    I would like to call this tree the Dragonfly Tree - because - if you look closely, you'll notice a dragonfly
    on most tip of this tree....amazing!

              Four Spotted Pennant

             Halloween Pennant

    Most dragonflies were willing to sit still while I watched them. This particular one - known at Two Stripped  Forceptail - stayed put for the longest time and let me approach without a fuss.

  This particular bird was my last sighting as I made my way out to my car - I watched him for a while and
   thought for sure his/her parents would show up as it seemed to be a young one. I've yet to identify what

 type of bird that it is. I am seriously hoping that the birding community will help me to identify and provide

   some information.( **Note** It is identified as a Bronzed Cowbird - my other photos match with I.D.)

    I said good bye and I headed to the little Ice Cream shop and treated myself to a cone....yum.

Lakes Park in Fort Myers

 Lakes Park is this little gem that is situated in the middle of housing developments, business centers, mega stores and busy highway....yet, once you step through the gate - you forget about the traffic and the
rush hours. This is 279 acres and of that there is
158 acres of fresh water quarry lake.
There is wildlife galore - even in the middle of the
summer.

 One of my first sighting - not counting the gazillions birds that flew overhead - was the Great Egret - it was busy getting it's fill with food.
Sometimes I forget how amazingly beautiful and gracious this bird is - even though I am used to seeing it - it always brings a sense of peace when I see it.

 Then the Great Blue Heron was spotted, though he's looking a bit scruffy and magestic with his size and good posture.
He, too, was busy getting his meal.
What a great spot - along the water with fresh grass underfoot and respect from passer by. He let me take his photo and wasn't bothered.

We can't forget the Osprey - always vigilent and
watching with an eagle eye.

   The smaller herons - the Tri-Colored and the Little Blue were present in amazing numbers it seemed.

   After a bit, I ventured down the path to the area which leads into a dirt path with more trees and
   vegetation....which brought about many butterflies and dragonflies - enough pics for another post.

    I did encounter a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher (?) actually, there was several moving above my head in the
    trees gathering insects and singing. I love these surprises, don't you?

Harn's Marsh in Lehigh Acres

 I had been itching to get back to Harn's Marsh since my last visit from earlier this year and the wait was worth it.....not to forget the great company that I was with - Thanks John And Carol!

 One of our first sighting was a Limpkin - what a beauty, I never get tired of watching them. Then we caught glimpses of the Sandhill Crane - 7 in all were seen during our 2 mile walk. Unfortunately, they tend to have a knack for fast disappearance act before I can get close enough to put them in the limelight of my camera.

 Then we spotted these little brown guys - they looked familiar, yet I couldn't quite put my wing on it....had to come home, search through my small book collections and did a few online search and I have a strong inkling that it's the Red-Winged Blackbird - female! Doesn't that make sense?!?

 If I am mistaken on that one, then I will gladly eat humble pie - it wouldn't be my first time as I've had a few servings of that in the past. So, folks, don't be shy ..... I can swallow it.

 Here is a pair of them - just sitting and posing....probably hoping that the true to it's name....Red-Winged

 Blackbird will notice them.

 Beautiful wild flowers growing along the edges of the Marsh - their simple beauty are radiant.....who said we need fertilizer to grow beautiful blooms?

 Here's the head scratcher of the day and if my books serve me right...it is a Loggerhead Shrike who has just woken up with a hangover - well, you've got to admit that he's looking kind of scruffy, no?

 Black and Turkey Vultures were numerous in the trees and in riding the thermal - probably resting from an earlier road kill feast.

And there you have it.....another beautiful day out on the trail, discovering nature and wildlife in it's natural form....it doesn't get any better than this.

Dragonflies

 Just came back from walking a trail and looking for birds however I came back with photos of blooms and dragonflies. The dragonflies here in S.W. Florida seems to be on the 'smallish' size in comparison to what I remember seeing as a child - in a far north country.

 They might be small but I enjoy watching them nevertheless - also they make a good meal for our feathered friends and help the food chain - so to speak.

 I tend to look for the colorful ones and so far my collection is limited to the species that you are seeing now.

 This small red dragonfly sure packs a punch with color - concentrated hues.

 These two made me laugh out loud when I saw it on my computer - I love the digital age!

Full Moon

 The moon has been full and it is always magical when that takes place. I especially enjoy this when I'm

 heading to the beach to do the turtle patrol. The moon is like a beacon that provides a bright light - which shows me the way. Don't get me wrong,  the turtles do not necessarily nest during the full moon - however it

 does affect the tides and it makes for a pleasant beach walking morning. This time of the year - we still have turtles nesting on our beaches AND we are on the look out for possible hatches. This morning, I specifically

looked for the tell tale of little flippers heading to sea.....not yet.....I guess they are not quite ready.

Sanibel Gardens Preserve

 I love this quiet little area - I returned this morning but my trip was cut short because it was mowing day.

 I wanted to share how this particular preserve is filled with nesting boxes and how very much they are being utilitized - when it's not occupied by birds, the bees tend to move in. This morning the hive/comb was quite visible with very few bees around. I've had this experience at my house too....where the screech owl moves into the tree and when he leaves the bees set up house....then the bees leave and the owl returns.

 Nearby, in the Preserve, the Red Bellied Woodpeckers were very active - darting from trees to house - very focused with feeding the little ones.

 I came across 4 nest boxes with little ones inside - when the parents approached the box, they start to chirp in unison - rather loudly too ..... at first I thought Tree Swallows were in the area until I realize what/where the sound was coming from.

 I'd say that the Red Bellied Woodpecker species is alive and well (averaging 3 to 8 eggs) - and with all those babies being raised

 we might have to change the name of the preserve to the Red Bellied Domain.

Great Blue Heron - No, wait, It's White!

 Haha, the joke was on me. I was so busy paying attention to the Roseate Spoonbills, the Short Billed Dowitchers, the Marbled Godwits, the Oystercatchers, etc etc etc that I had totally overlooked the big

 white bird that was sitting in the background. I need to pay more attention to my surroundings and the backgrounds....and just be more present.....a humble lesson to learn. Nevertheless, I was thrilled when

someone pointed it out to me - because this Great White Heron is a rare sighting. In any event - I'd have to say this was one of my best birding days.....then again.....every day is a great birding day!