Harn's Marsh with the Caloosa Bird Club

It's Monday and today's destination: Harn's Marsh which is located in Lehigh Acres. I haven't been there in several months and I was really happy to have the opportunity to visit with the group.

My breath is always taken away when I arrive and take in the vast expanse before me - what's not to love.

The closest pond from the parking lot - across the way the vultures can be seen perched atop the trees....

Turkey and Black Vultures.

And the Sandhill Crane families - always fun to come across them, listen to them and watch them as they fly off.

Come fall and winter time - the ducks start to arrive and make the Marsh their home for the season.

Some of the ducks are further and hidden between the reeds along the many water channels that exist within the Harn's Marsh.

A nice find today: A Redhead Duck.

Harn's Marsh is a 4 mile loop and if you travel toward the back portion of it, often times you'll find shorebirds just like these 3 Least Sandpipers.

Snail Kites were in big numbers today - we saw at least 5 of them throughout the Marsh.

An odd sighting of what appears to be a Boat-tailed Grackle with most of its tail feathers missing and a lot of white feathers.

After leaving the Marsh - we went for lunch and on the way home we checked a few key spots - such as North River Road where Red-headed Woodpeckers can be found.

Across the way a Cow taking care of her calf.

Once again - a great birding event with the group as well as beautiful Florida weather - it doesn't get much better than that. My E-Bird list for the Harn's Marsh.

Wood Storks at the Pond Apple

I spent quite a bit of time this morning along the Shipley Trail and the Pond Apple Trail, the special occurrence that took place today was the return of the Wood Storks along the retention ponds area - it was super fun to watch them .... the photos will speak for themselves.

 It was quite entertaining to watch and especially to listen to their bill clapping. Once in a while they would separate and go their own way and then before you knew it - they repeated the whole process all over again. Folks, there is no better way to spend a morning! Go Birding, it's fun!

Bailey's Bobcat

As I get older or should I say wiser, I've realized that I can plan my days/weeks/months way ahead of time but the end results are totally out of my hands.....I'm okay with that because often times the alternatives that surface are usually icing on the cake.

In my simple planning today - my goal was to see birds and open myself up for any surprises that may come my way....perhaps a rare sighting would be good. So, come along and see how my morning went....

The moon is full and the day is just about to begin - that in itself is exciting.

A flock of American Robins landed right behind me....

for me it is always exciting to see them especially since it doesn't happen very often.

A half hour into my walk I spotted a Bobcat leading the way - once in a while he would turn to see if I was still following.

He was focused on the Marsh Rabbits - following them in his 'cat' demeanor and jumping into bushes in his attempt to snag one....in this instance the Hare persevered and won.

Behind me a mother with a cranky baby in a stroller caught the cat's attention....

one more look and off he went ....

at a quicker pace.

In the meantime, a flock of White Pelicans were spotted seemingly floating in the air.

On my way out of the Bailey Tract - a small gator was seen watching people....

I bid him farewell with glee in my step. This day surely brought a different spin - and oh, what fun! My E-bird List for today. 

Beach - S.W. Florida style

I've heard from several different sources today that snow is already on the ground up north - so, to warm things up, I'm sharing with you what I saw on the beach this afternoon.....enjoy

Emphasis today was Gulls and Terns.

People and dog entering Gull territory.

Dreamy