Brown Pelican Photo Shoot

My time was limited this morning so I took this opportunity to take a drive along the Causeway hoping to find some ducks and ended up watching this Brown Pelican - noting boring about this that's for sure.

"Are you looking at me?"

So, what do you think? If you are surprised and mesmerized by this Brown Pelican's bright eye and brilliant color, then I am not alone.

 

Sanibel Garden preserves

The birding itch was poking me this morning, so I bundled up with multiple layers and headed out while wondering who else would be out there on such a chilly morning.

As I headed down Periwinkle Way toward the Island Inn Road, I spotted a pair of Bald Eagles perched along side Sanibel Blvd and behind the Over Easy Cafe.

I'm thinking to myself that they are probably loving this weather, they do look comfortable, don't they?

Is this guy giving me the eagle eye?

I pulled myself away and made it down to the Sanibel Garden Preserve, there I spotted several Yellow-rumped Warblers.

The yellow patch on the side can be seen in this photo. This specie is one of the most abundant warbler across the U.S. Commonly seen on fall migration and regularly winters in the U.S. It prefers coniferous or mixed forest. In winter, brushy thickets of bayberry and wax myrtle - which we have plenty of.

Around the corner I was surprised to see a Wilson Snipe right out in the open - I observed it for a bit before diverting my attention to the opposite side

where a pair of Blue-winged Teal as well as a Little Blue were busily eating.

Nice view of the Wilson, a bird of wet meadows and boggy areas. Notice the extremely long straight bill and plump body. Black and white stripes on its head makes it a striking bird. This was very unusual to observe without any vegetation in the way as most of the time it hides and blends well with the marshes and is usually seen after being flushed and while flying away.

A regular resident of the area - a male Osprey.

A plump Mourning Dove staying warm and watching the Eastern Phoebe who just landed next to him.

Shortly after, I crossed the road and found myself along the Bailey Tract. It seemed that more people were seen than birds - not quite sure where all the fowls are hiding. Up above a flock of White Pelican was spotted as well as several Turkey Vultures and Anhingas.

Some species played with me - toying me with their song yet never showing themselves - such as a rail (which specie??) that kept kekking - yet when I got a chance to listen to some of my apps none sounded exactly the same. I can tell you that I will be returning with the hopes of finding the answer to this dilemma.

Well folks, "till the next time" said the Hooded Merganser.

 

Harns Marsh with the Caloosa Bird Club

It had been 4 months since my last visit at Harns Marsh - way too long. We got an early start today with the hopes of seeing a King Rail that has been reported to have been there, a few folks from the club heard it but no one saw it. However as birding goes, there is never a bad day while birding and today was no exception, come along and see.

The sun was about to rise and we could see many ducks species - a few Ring-necked Ducks are always a pretty sight.

A few Sandhill Cranes flew overhead while belting out their lovely chorus.

The star of the day - a Snail Kite. He gave us some great looks while he flew and dove down for succulent snails which he carried off to a nearby snag where he savored his hard earned meal.

What a nice pair of Ring-necked Duck.

A female Snail Kite produced a lively conversation while some of us wondered whether it was a Harrier or not - our books and bird apps came in handy for comparison.

A Cattle Egret - the smallest in the Egret family coming in at 20".

Harns Marsh is usually only opened for foot traffic, the club made previous arrangements for us to be able to drive through - it is a 4 mile loop. We combined people in cars and caravan our way through while stopping several times for ample observation. A scope is highly recommended for good views.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes with two White Ibis and a Cattle Egret.

Along the outer edge of Harns Marsh - some private properties and several horses were observed as well. We were hoping to find the Red-headed Woodpecker which has been seen in the past but today they were nowhere to be found.

More chorus going on - I love these guys.

A Lesser Yellowleg, a Killdeer, A Least Sandpiper and a Western Sandpiper - what a nice variety!

A Glossy Ibis - beautiful in person but difficult to photograph.

On the way home we made a quick stop at a member's house, these folks have been setting up bird feeders for years and they are rewarded with yearly returns of beautiful Painted Buntings and American Goldfinch.

And this, folks, conclude the birding trip for today....stay tune for more :). My E-Bird List for today at Harns Marsh http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20660904

Sorry I can't share where I saw the American Goldfinch and Painted Buntings since it is at someone's private home.

Curlew at Bunche Beach with Lee Co Bird Patrol

Awwww....finally our Florida type weather has returned and we are off to the flats on Bunche Beach. It is low tide and the Lee Co Bird Patrol is having their monthly walk - let's go!

A nice group gathered up by the picnic tables and we headed to the East side of the beach in search of the Curlew that has been sighted lately - apparently a regular that spends its winters here - sweet!

There were several groups of shorebirds and we spent some time observing as well as listening to Charlie & Walt as they gave us a few tips for identification. A Short-billed Dowitcher is pictured here - numerous black spots on sides, whitish belly, also a white stripe up the back which is visible while in flight. Notice too the long, straight bill which is used for feeding in mud or shallow water - they probe with a rapid jabbing motion.

A Semi-palmated Plover - the dark back of this plover distinguishes this species from Piping and Snowy. This Plover always has a complete breast band - a good tip to remember.

A Marbled Godwit - A tawny brown molted with black sandpiper, a long upturned bill with hues of bright pink. The legs are black - a great hint when its head is tucked in because they look so similar to the Long-billed Curlew which has grayer legs.

The White-morph of the Reddish Egret. It resembles immature Little Blue Heron or Snowy Egret but note the larger size, longer bill and dark legs and feet - also, the tell tale is its behavior while feeding.

An adult Little Blue Heron (a juvenile would be all white), on the prowl for some food - it has very deliberate slow feeding behavior.

The star of the day - A Long Billed Curlew.

Notice how similar the plumage coloring is and how the grey leg color differs from the Marbled Godwit.

The Long-billed Curlew's bill length varies greatly and I would have had a great deal of difficulty making the identification if I had been alone because to me it looked like a Whimbrel- I am grateful for our leaders today and for pointing out the clues that leads to proper i.d.

 

One of those tricky sandpiper to identify - a Western Sandpiper?

The Curlew works really hard to feed itself - the size of its food is minuscule - can you see it in its bill?

And look how deep some of it is, not an easy job.

At the tip - Willets, Dowitchers, White-morphed Reddish Egret, and more. Fort Myers Beach can be seen from this location as well as the boats heading out to the Gulf.

Short-billed Dowitchers with Marbled Godwits.

The White morph of the Reddish Egret doing its famous dance.

More Dowitchers and Godwits.

And the sweet Piping Plover - Very pale above with orange legs. Thicker black bill during the winter, during breeding period the bill is orange and black.

 One thing is certain, birding with shorebirds is not as clear as black and white - there is much more for me to learn and that, my friends, is one of the fun parts of birding.

My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20633384