Pond Apple Trail w/SanCap Audubon Group

The SanCap Audubon Bird Walk is becoming quite a popular event on Saturdays - after all, what is not to like! The leaders have great personalities, a sense of humor and great knowledge.....in addition, everyone has a common interest while spending time in our beautiful sunny state. Come and join me today and be a witness to our sightings.

I arrived early and opted to park behind the Chamber of Commerce - on my way to meet up the group I saw those 3 Pileated Woodpeckers slowly awaking.

The day is looking promising already.

The known Australian Pine by the Dairy Queen, which used to be a nesting platform for an Eagle pair is quiet this morning.

I've slowly made it to the Retention Pond area - quite a few Wood Storks are here already.

In addition, I am seeing a large group by the maintenance garage - over 50 enthusiastic birders!

An immature Black-Crowned Night Heron....Kevin pointed out how the bill has not quite reached the 'adult' stage yet.

Killdeers - there were 5 of them today, 3 are in this frame.

A young Brown Pelican.

This Wood Stork might have been sleeping - his eyes were closed....hard to tell unless you look really closely.

This one, on the other hand, was wide awake and keeping his eyes on me.

Birds come and go so quickly around here!

Others like to dive, swim and do acrobatic moves with their catch.

Amazingly, the Anhinga stabs his fish underwater, comes up to the surface where he carefully turns and flips the fish so that it goes down the hatch head first.

We were entertained just by watching him - he was quite the fisherman and enjoyed a hearty fish breakfast.

The fish seemed to say: "Ooooh no!", while the Anhinga saids " Ah YES!"

By the way - with so many of these guys today - we decided to call it the "Stork Day".

Toward the end, an Anhinga lady proudly showed us her strapless dress....

and she wears it well, if I must say so myself.

A Cormorant with its striking emerald eyes.

After a while, I re-entered the trail leading me back to my wheels - I was glad to see that the Bald Eagle was perched in his old stomping limb.

Regal and majestic.....what a great way to end the day!

 My E-Bird List for today.

Sanibel Community Park Trail - The Frannie's Preserve Extension

I've been meaning to check on this new trail off the main beaten path of Periwinkle Way - well, today was the day....come and see....

The entrance is toward the back of the playground, before you proceed check the map out.

The Frannie's preserve extension is outlined here - for today I chose the blue trail surrounding the water ponds.

Most of the paths are pretty much easy to follow, however the trails are not marked.

One of the first ponds.

First sign of wildlife - a White Ibis.

Several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Palm Warblers were heard and seen.

This trail was a bit muddy and after a bit the trail was hard to spot - will have to return at a later time.

Another pond and another trail.

This trail was a flitter of Zebra Longwings....making it somewhat magical.

A few more White Ibis and....

a River Otter with its fish.

A Kingfisher was quite busy and vocal around this pond.

Not too far, a Red-shouldered Hawk with its keen eye.

The trails circle around the pond, a different view of those White Ibis.

I have a feeling that this location could become a hot spot - it is a natural habitat, away from the noises and hustles, plenty of water and insects. I will return and report again in the near future.....after all....I still have the Frannie's Extension trail to venture unto.