Bald Eagle meet Red-shouldered Hawk

The thing about birding is that you never know what you're going to get....you can plan all you want but the end results are often filled with surprises, today was no exception.

I had planned to park on Island Inn Road and go through the Sanibel Garden Preserve with the hopes of finding some Swallow-tailed Kites first but a gate was put up and I couldn't drive through - plan B - park at the Bailey Tract parking lot and walk through...no problem.

The sun was just starting to come up on the horizon and it cast a beautiful glow on the Coot, making its red eye shine.

I made it to the Sanibel Garden Preserve and I discovered this lovely pair of Red-bellied Woodpecker, it must be nesting season because I came across many pairs after these two.

"I got your back, honey."

Not too far from the tower I saw a Blue Jay doing a poor imitation of a Red-shouldered Hawk.

An Eastern Phoebe was basking in the sun in between insect dives.

Awwww! I finally got to see one - not quite where I had anticipated but quite happy regardless. What a beauty these Swallow-tailed Kites are - they are arriving from Brazil and will spend the spring into summer while raising their youngs.

On my way to the Bailey Tract I always make a point to stop at my magic tree to see what is happening there - today a Bald Eagle landed and posed - how lucky is that!

Seems like he had unwanted company hanging around.

I watched as this scenario unfolded time and time again....a brief period of stillness until the Red-Shouldered Hawk would return and dive bomb the Eagle.

Always coming very close but never touching each other.

And another....

and at some point the hawk gave up harassing the eagle and/or the eagle left before anymore encounters.

That really made for an exciting 5 minutes - and some fresh material to share with the folks that I meet up along the trails at the Bailey Tract.

A Pied-billed Grebe - he will soon leave to make the journey back north and get nesting underway.

A colorful Pileated Woodpecker lady.

Check the hair style!

And last but not least - a Northern Mockingbird perched by my car while I was chatting with a lovely couple about - what else - birds!...which led to butterflies, bobcats and oh the places we go....oh my! Happy Sunday all!

 

Port Charlotte

There has been some reports of good 'migrants' being seen in Port Charlotte, so Elaine and I made the trip this morning.

As soon as we got unto the trail we heard the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks - one of them landed on this branch....

and repeated his symphony....perhaps....

with the purpose of engaging some lively communication with his peers...

before joining them in this lively interlude.

Eventually settling down while the Little Blue Heron watches on.

A Marsh Hare ... one of many.

A Blue Jay - quite the entertainer - while we watched he sang many different tunes.

One of two Purple Gallinules that we saw....

"Where's Waldo"?

We spent some time noticing the difference between the Purple and the Common Gallinule - other than the obvious purple feathers we saw the blue area above the 'candy corn' bill....they are also a tad bit bigger than the Common and tend to walk on top of the Lilly Pads.

A view of "Ollie's Pond" in Port Charlotte. My E-Bird List while walking around the pond.

 On the way back we made a quick stop to Pennington Nature Park - also in Port Charlotte. This was a lovely shaded 3/4 mile trail....a bit late and hot by mid-late morning but definitely a place to visit again.

An interesting and 'artful' dragonfly sealed the day. My E-Bird List for this trail.

 

SanCap Audubon bird walk at the Sanibel Lighthouse

This morning was the last scheduled SanCap Audubon bird walk of the season and I'm sorry to see the majority of the people returning  north until next fall. I want you to know that I appreciate all that you've contributed to my learning curve in the birding world and that I'm going to miss you all...so come back soon.

 In any event - this morning's walk was very well attended and  exciting since migration is still taking place....take a look of some of the feathered friends that we bumped into.

Hooded Warbler was still sighted - jumping and flitting about - what a burst of sunshine he is.

Only a handfull of Orchard Oriole was spotted this morning.

The Western Kingbird was just right in the sunlight - his yellow belly even more golden.

Eastern Kingbird are still plentiful.

Here was a nice treat - an Indigo Bunting next to a Blue Grosbeak - not something that happens very often and what a great opportunity to notice the difference between the two.

The Blue Jay - always nice to see around here because it is not a common sight for Sanibel.

More Indigo Buntings

A warbler whizzing by - Yellow-throated Warbler.

The Gray Kingbird - by itself and very stately.

And the White-eyed Vireo - more often heard than seen. 

 

My E-Bird List for today  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17854678

Re-visiting Lakes Park

What a nice greeting! This little starling welcomed me to the park as well as many Mockingbirds - tried as I may to capture the mockingbirds, my camera just wasn't ready as it just kept on fogging up on me.

This Geiger Tree was in full bloom and the bright colorful flowers just called my name.

Then I came upon a family of Blue Jays which were busy with their feeding - I always enjoy spotting them and I had forgotten how beautiful they are....interestingly enough I don't get to see them in my neighborhood.

Awww....who would have thought that a Black Vulture would be a loving mate?
 Somehow we don't think of those birds as being caring yet they are a fascinating subject - and they do play a very important part in our world.

I am in search of the name of this particular plant - as I love it's striking effect and the fact that it is so unusual. This above photo shows the different stages.....flower, fruit and seed. After being at Ding Darling this afternoon - I found the answer to my inquiry and it turns out to be a "Buttonbush" - it's in the coffee family.

Here's a close up of the flower ball.

And here's a close up of the fruit which apparently is being tasted by a Leaf-footed Bug.

And this lovely dragonfly kept on buzzing by and it finally settled down for long enough so that I could see it up close and personal....love, love, love that blue color with the green head.

As all good things come to an end - I started making my way back when I noticed the rainbow effect that the water fountains were producing - just awe-mazing......I looked at it as my farewell till the next time.

The White Peacock came over and said: Goodbye.

Here is the link to my E-Bird list for that visit.