Sweet surrender to nostalgia

As I reflect today on this last day of the year 2013 - it makes me realize what a great year this has been. I wanted to share some highlights of the moments that really meant a lot to me as well as my stepping stones.....however, it would become a lengthy exercise and probably a chore to read it all. So, I KISSed it instead (keep it simple slogan) and chose a photo from each month - noticing that some months were a lot more active and exciting than others....spring and fall come to  mind here.

Enough of that....a few photos of 2013

The beginning of my budding photography bug....it all started with my scope and my IPhone - it worked great as long as the bird didn't move.....a beautiful January sunny day spent observing this Red-shouldered Hawk in my back yard.

The Wilson Snipe, which I discovered while scoping the edges of the Ani Pond at the Bailey Tract. During the months of  January and February, there was also a lot of activities with the Sora and the Clapper Rail.

The Osprey family - being busy feeding the chicks by the Lighthouse Pier.

At the Bailey Tract - feeding away during the month of April - the Greater yellowlegs.

The Little Blue - in its environment at the Sanibel Garden Preserves during the month of May.

The Black-necked Stilt - I had been waiting for this species to arrive and I was not disappointed - wow - what a beauty! It was a thrill to watch it from May on through the summer - watching the eggs on those nests on the edge of the ponds, waiting for the babies....just amazing.

Well, come July - there isn't that much going on in my neck of the woods....at least that is what I thought....then again, I didn't know much.... I'm grateful that I am still capable of learning. This Red Cardinal is stunning in its plummage.

August comes around and it's pretty toasty around here - as I joined more local walks and met more 'birding' folks, I heard of the CWA in Ft.Myers Beach and I was delighted to go there with my good friends to check it out. This was my first Oystercatcher....well, if truth be told, most of the birds that I came across during 2013 were "first" for me....it's fun to be a newbie because everyday brings a new surprise.

September and the little ones are getting sweeter....this Blue-grey Gnatcatcher is just a delight to watch and listen to.

October marks the beginning of fall migration - very exciting times. I got to see this beautiful Western Kingbird by the Lighthouse. During that month I also had the pleasure of going birding with a 'birdbrain' acquaintance and I learned a lot from her.

November and more migration is happening - the Blue-Wing teals as well as many other ducks were seen in Immokalee - what a great opportunity that was....to see them all fly together and to hear the wings flapping....it felt like an outer body experience.

This particular sighting for December was really special - seen in Charlotte Co with my bird club. December has actually been a very exciting month and it was hard to pick one bird over another because they all brought something extra to my plate of discovery. All in all - it was a very good year and I look forward to the new year with great anticipation to enjoy each and every moments.

 Happy New Year!

Caloosahatchee Creek Preserves with the Caloosa Bird Club

Sweet Monday - Today took me to North Fort Myers - to visit a trail that I hadn't seen before. This preserve is one of many Lee County Conservation 20/20 Preserves. It is very well maintained, has facilities and is totally handicap friendly with boardwalks trails within the preserve. It is a gem of a peaceful place - definitely a go-to spot.

Our first encounter - a Praying Mantis showing us the way to go.....follow the yellow brick road....

Soon the Robins landed and sang their song - just for us....we gave them our full attention.

Soon, the Northern Flicker joined in the tree - notice how this is the Yellow-Shafted Morph....yellow could be seen under the wings and under the tail.

Some of the trails were 'natural' with the occasional red ants colonies.

Here, the Yellow-Shafted Morph female Northern Flicker.

Within the quiet stillness and the peaceful trails - the water plant could be seen in the distance and the power lines a reminder of civilization.

After a while, we drove a bit and visited the Crested Caracara where it has been seen getting nesting material together.

"I'm hiding now, can you still see me?"

And off we went - to drive the country side to see what other eye candy we could feast on.

The Sandhill Cranes...."Are you looking at me?"

The 'scratching' pond.

Did you ever notice that if you stand on the side of the road where the cows are, that they will come to see you....perhaps they should be called "Curious Cows".

Or maybe "Copy Cows".....we watch the birds and the wildlife and they watch humans....LOL....we all benefit.

Wilson Snipe - how lucky to be able to photograph it out in the open.

Look who's watching the cow now?

Looks like they're getting down and cozy now.

As you can see - it was another lovely day birding with the Caloosa Bird Club group. My E-Bird List for the day. My tally for the day came in at 47 species. Our group - being that it's Holiday season time - was small at 12 members attending. The bird of the day was the Crested Caracara.

A White Christmas

Well, maybe not quite the kind of white Christmas that you might be thinking about - but it works for me.

Seen today at Ding Darling - lots of White Pelicans.

The American White Pelican is much bigger than our Brown Pelican - 12" longer, wing span is 24" wider - It does not dive for food but dips bill into the water while swimming and do so with others....a true team effort. They are snow birds and start arriving by mid October to early November. Usually found in flocks.