Sanibel Lighthouse Point

Got up early this morning and I made my way down to the Lighthouse Point. I got there 45 minutes before the sunrise and could faintly see quite a few Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Night Herons - both adults and juveniles. I believe I counted 9. When I finally had enough natural light to capture their photo - a jogger came along and dispersed every single bird life on the beach.....sigh.

At that point I got off the beach and meandered down the wooded path and boardwalk to see what else was stirring.

The sunrise was just spectacular and the peacefulness was spirit filled.

Wildlife was definitely becoming more active - and the woodpeckers were getting their fills.

Here the spider web was catching it's own sun rays - just heavenly.

This Spiny Orb Weaver was above my head as I walked off the boardwalk.

Many Cardinals were heard and seen as well as Carolina Wrens. I spotted another .... a warbler but can't identify it for sure. If my memory serves me right - the bottom half was yellow and the top half was black and white - just like the Black and White Warbler - it hung around a cabbage palm tree, feasting insects within the crown of the tree - always away from my view....more sigh.

The Osprey that hangs around the Lighthouse Point was eating a nice fresh fish - not quite what I would eat for breakfast but then again I am not a bird.

All good things must come to an end - I bid farewell to the Lighthouse until the next time.

My E-Bird list

The Piping Plover - with bling

Here is an update of that Piping Plover 'with bling' that I posted about from my Bunche Beach Bird trip last Saturday. Some of the folks from the Birdbrain and from the BirdPatrol group - provided me with the right contacts to get the information. This photo is from Alice Van Zoeren who also provided me with the following information...

"The plover you saw hatched in 2012 at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI on the mainland. She was re-banded as an adult this summer on North Manitou Island, also in Sleeping Bear Dunes. I spent quite a bit of time with her. I'll attach a summertime photo that I took on her nesting territory."

So, there you have it.....I look forward to other opportunities to find banded birds and the histories that comes with it. 

Thank you to all who have facilitated the exchange of information, you are all appreciated.

Mr. Bob

Mr Bob - the bobcat. On the lucky occasion that I happen to be at the right place at the right time, I get to witness Mr. Bob going through my back yard and I get to watch him as he crosses my neighbor's yard.

Not only does he get busy marking his territory but as you can see - he loves to frolic as well.

He gets a drink and take his sweet time - this is after all .... Florida time.

This is Mr.Bob looking at me and probably wondering what I am up to. Shortly after that - off he went to do whatever Mr. Bob does.

Bunche Beach - Guided Bird Tour

On my way to the Guided bird tour - put out by www.birdpatrol.org , I made a point of stopping along the causeway in order to catch the first rays of the day.

I was not disappointed.

I was greeted at my destination, Bunche Beach Preserve in Ft.Myers, Florida

I checked the facilities, the parking fee machine and the general area. I caught sight of this Mangrove  Buckeye (thanks Bob, for the tip).

The Common Ground Dove flitted about - I think he had first dibs on the place this morning.

I made my way down to the beach as I was way early and walked to the East, a Bald Eagle flew overhead as I was drinking in the sight. This Piping Plover welcomed me and made me smile as he reminds me of my grandson with softness and big bright eyes.

A Semipalmated wasn't too far.

A Short-billed Dowitcher was busy probing and feeding.

Toe prints in the sand.

Another Piping Plover and this one has bling! I couldn't get near enough to be able to read off the numbers.

A Mangrove Crab playing hide-n-seek. I let him win because I noticed that my group was forming and it was time for me to join in.

A Yellow-throated Warbler greeted the group and a White Eyed Vireo was singing in the bushes. A few Cardinals came by and sang to us too.

The leaders of the group set up their scopes and talked about the various shore birds that we were seeing. This group here has Sandwich, Least and Black Terns as well as Black Skimmers and Laughing Gulls.

Who do you think the shy guy is?

If you guessed a Marbled Godwit - you were right!
This was a great guided trip with very knowledgeable folks - I look forward to the next one and for the opportunities to learn more along the way.

My E-Bird List

Glorious Beach Bird Day!

What a beautiful morning this was! There is nothing like walking the beach being illuminated by the full moon....looking for turtle tales and just enjoying BEing in the moment.

And then I turn around to witness a fantastic sunrise - wow and wow!

It made me smile to see the Frigatebirds gliding about - 3 of them and just a moment later 3 Black Skimmers flew by as they fed on the water surface....too fast for me to catch a photo.

I thought I had these down pat but apparently not....as I look at them and try to compare them with my books, I seem to get more confused along the way. Am I seeing a Semipalmated and a Western Sandpiper or am I looking at Sanderlings in different plumage?

Ruddy Turnstone - is easy enough to identify as it's behaviors is unlike any other.

Black-bellied Plover is starting to lighten up it's belly.

Ha! Look at the Willet on the right - it seems larger and positively a different color than the guy on the left....I would venture to guess that I have an Eastern Willet on the left and a Western Willet on the right...right?

There were plenty of Terns this morning on the beach too - the Sandwich Terns were being their usual vocal self as well as the Least Terns seen here with the Royal Tern.

This one - I believe is a Black Headed Gull with it's ruby red beak and legs.

And here I believe we have 3 Laughing gulls - the middle one a juvi?

Check out the rest of the list for today that I submitted on E-Bird.

Head Shots

Screech Owl in my back yard - inside a dead coconut palm tree.

White-crowned Pigeon seen in Big Pine Key

Gator at 6 miles Cypress Slough 

Little Blue in Sanibel Garden Preserves 

Great Blue Heron at Lakes Park 

Red-shouldered Hawk in my back yard.

Osprey on top of dead Coconut Palm Tree in my back yard.

Great Egret in my neighbor's back yard. 
Just like Dorothy said: "There's no place like home".

Smile now, you're on camera. Good job!