Big Cypress area with Caloosa Bird Club

Monday is Caloosa Bird Club day and destination this week was the Big Cypress area, our first stop was on the Marsh Trail.

Beautiful vista everywhere you look, on the second photo we could see the top of a high rise from Marco Island.

Our Mascot - the Green Heron - was one of our first sighting.

After checking the area and seeing a handful of birds, we moved on to the next spot - Big Cypress.

The Black Vulture and the Turkey Vulture welcomed us to the center - actually, if truth be told - they barely looked at us as we walked by them - LOL, I bet they see tons of people enter this boardwalk.

As we made our way to the back/end of boardwalk, we saw several species feeding and moving about - the Great Blue Heron above and the Black-crowned Night Heron below.

A water snake lurked just below the boardwalk.

After watching several warblers, woodpeckers and titmouse - we headed off to our next spot - Kirby Storter.

The beginning of this trail (boardwalk) is surrounded by Bald Cypress in their dormant state.

As we got deeper onto the boardwalk more wildlife came into view - this Green Heron is really showing his green coat - the lighting was helpful too.

And what have we got here?

An American Bittern.

The Bittern is a wading bird with long legs, neck and bill for stalking food in shallow water.

As we headed back, we had the opportunity to watch the Green Heron in action - he is quite adept at jumping from branch to branch without missing a beat - ever so graceful.

The Wood Storks were now resting after feeding all morning.

When we exited the boardwalk, we sat and enjoyed our lunch while discussing the sighting of the day - American Bittern was chosen as the bird of the day. As we parted ways - some folks mentioned other venues they were heading to - we started heading north and made a quick stop at Burn Lake.

 

Our target: Bluebirds!

 

I don't get to see Bluebirds but a couple times per year and I wish it was more often.

Except for a few tents and a couple of RV, the place was really quiet - save for the Bluebirds, Warblers and Woodpeckers - well worth the couple of miles of dirt road.

Of course Big Cypress would not be right without Alligators - this big guy was seen by the HP ? facility boardwalk.

My E-Bird List for the day in Collier Co.

 

Yearly trip to STA 5 in Hendry Co

Oh Boy! It is Saturday morning with a crisp 48 degree - chilly for Florida weather if you ask me - but nevertheless it didn't dampen my enthusiasm to head out, pick up Libby and head off to Immokalee. We met up with the Caloosa Group, combined people in cars and headed out to our destination....and off we go.

After being on the road for 2 hours +, we arrived at the check in station, listened to instruction and set out with great anticipation.

It wasn't long before we saw tons of ducks and coots and among them were several Purple Gallinules - they sure are colorful and fun to watch with their big feet walking on lily pads.

 

Watching from above and looking for its next prey was a Peregrine Falcon.

Here's another colorful one - a Swamp Hen.

A quick visit from an Eastern Meadowlark didn't go unnoticed, we were blessed with its song too.

A Brown-headed Cowbird, what a nice surprise.

There were plenty of Swallows swooping by - some took a rest on the power line before resuming their flight - a Northern Rough-winged Swallow is watching us.

We had several Black-crowned Night Herons popping out in the open. I love their beady red eyes.

Several gators were spotted - I venture to say that they are well fed.

We watched the White Pelicans as they circled and herded fish for consumption.

Empty clam and mussel shells - some tasty meal I'm sure.

Caspian Terns and Forster Terns were among some White Pelicans and Ducks.

An American Bittern stayed long enough for me to capture its photo.

A special sighting of two Tropical Kingbird was had - this one granted us good views on our way out.

Many more species were seen than photographed - see my E-bird List for all the species.

A long day, a great time and lots of beautiful birds were seen, I am blessed to be granted these opportunities.

Visiting Wakodahatchee

What a fantastic place this was! If you want to see Florida birds in their breeding plumage as well as their chicks - then, this is definitely the place to go......take a look

of course, the beautiful weather is always a nice bonus

Everywhere I looked - there were multiple species within the trees and I kept thinking: "Now, this is what a 'tree of life' looks like."

How many birds do you see in this clump?

The Anhinga chick wants to know when dinner will be served.

Great Blue Heron sitting on its nest.

"Look Ma! Look what I can do!"

Smile

"Are you sure you're my Daddy?"

There was an incredible amount of courtship going on - I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of Great Egret chicks by next month.

 Wakodahatchee should be called "Love Island".

I bet he'll try his new wings real soon.

Aren't they precious?

These ducks - I've been told - they whistle....one of these days I might even hear it.

The 3 Stooges or perhaps - Eenie, Mynie, Mo.

The elusive American Bitter was right out in the open.

Now you see me....

Now you don't.

An exotic - Egyptian Goose - there were 3 of them.

This little island was filled with Wood Storks - next month there should be lots of chicky storks.

Check that breeding plumage

Where did the head go?

The Great Egret inspecting her blue eggs

This looks like a wedding dress fashion show.

Spaces within the branches and trees are at a premium and multiple levels are being used, these are Cattle Egrets nesting below the Great Blue heron.

Side by side, raising their own families.

Chick wanting more food.

When you got an itch you gotta itch it.....say that 3 times fast LOL....just kidding.

Thank you for visiting - come back soon.

My E-Bird List - which is a combination of Green Cay and Wakodahatchee  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17398373