Cape Coral with the Caloosa Bird Club

It is always a pleasure to visit Cape Coral because it's a venue that provides good views of species that I don't usually find in my neck of the woods. We concentrated on three areas - come along and see...

We all met up at the Rotary Park - a sweet spot that can provide beautiful views of migrating birds if the weather/winds are right - let's hope for a great spring.....for now.....good views of the Cedar Waxwings - always sweet to find.

Along some of the back trails along the water - some waders, coots, ducks and herons can be found - a Green Heron in breeding plumage was spotted.

On our way back, we found more Cedar Waxwings.

I love their color, mask, hair tuft and yellow edged tail.

A short walk across the corner, we were treated to see a family of Purple Martins, they are now getting settled and will soon start their families.

A male on the left, female on the right.

Then we were off to Pelican Blvd where the Pelican ball field is located - nearby are Burrowing Owls. Take note of the clean surrounding of this burrow - I'll explain later.

One of the owl went into the burrow and started digging - you can see the sand being sprayed out of the hole and on the mate....

A little sand in the eyes can be a pain....

Open wide - awww - much better now.

A Loggerhead Shrike was nearby (aka a butcher bird because of the way it impels its catch before consuming it).

It's hard to stay away from watching these owls - they are just captivating.

They are protected and have 'pipe' boundaries, please do not trample on their ground for their safety.

Around the ball field, Monk Parakeets nests just below the light fixtures...

while we were there we observed a Fish Crow who made his way in - the Parakeets were none too happy....

and neither were we - totally powerless we are and it's how nature unfolds.

And then we were off to Jaycee Park - a great spot to see ducks and warblers. This morning a Spotted Sandpiper was at the water's edge.

Getting a bubble bath is always fun.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker - the belly showing the colors too!

On our way back and near Hooters - A Burrowing Owl who has decorated his nest - they tend to bring objects to their borrow during the night when nesting is under way and I hear they are quite creative - this little fellow has pieces of wood, lots of tissues and some poop. The poop will bring insects/flies and will help to feed the little ones very soon.

I'm told there is over 800 pairs of Burrowing Owls nesting in Cape Coral, you're bound to see them if you drive through Cape Coral, just look for the white water pipes and little crosses.

Please limit the time you spend with the Owls, etiquette mentions not more than 15 minutes or less if the bird becomes agitated. They are busy raising families and need all their energy for that purpose.

Cedar Waxwings

When I began my training with Ding Darling - I found myself behind the desk and for brief moments I would find myself with no visitors in sight and it was during those times that I reached for a bird book and started to leaf through the pages. I came across the Cedar Waxwings and said: I want to see that! And this, folks, was the actual beginning of my fascination with birds. 

I've not seen Cedar Waxwings very often but when I do, it truly is a beautiful experience. Just a couple of days ago they landed in a tree that only my zoom lens could reach - and here they are:

What's not to love? Their pale yellow belly,

its little crest, dainty mask and yellow tail tip.

They are known to travel in groups and I believe there was 150 of them in that Ficus tree....

Their presence is noticed by their soft, high-pitched, trilled whistle.

They come and go as if on a wind wave.....till the next time little fellows.

 

Fort De Soto - here we go

This day was a day much anticipated - as I had heard about Fort De Soto being one of the best spot for birding, especially during migration. This day also happens to be the last birding trip of the season with the Caloosa Bird Club - this part makes me want to sail through the summer as soon as I can - so, a big sigh as I remind myself to BE in the journey....this too shall pass.

Okay, onward - let me show you what I feasted my eyes and soul on yesterday.

You are probably wondering what we're looking at....well, often times that is how I felt - the birds looked as if they were on steroids, loaded with sugar with a side of adhd.....because as soon as you spotted something - it was moving - fassssst.

My first -ever- sighting of a Scarlet Tanager, so, even a bad photo is a good photo at this moment in time.

A Cedar Waxwing was heard before being spotted - there were many others too but they couldn't be sighted.

A Red Cardinal - sitting on its nest ..... spring is in the air.

A Gray Kingbird.

Too funny that they would choose a parking lot of all places - but then again, they are "laughing" gulls.

A Yellow-throated Warbler, this one granted us many views throughout the park.

Nanday - also known as a Black-hooded Parakeet.

Some of the vistas - so much land, so much to see, so many places and so little time to do it all.

Another view of the Nanday - this one shows the blue in his feathers and the red on the legs.

The beach side provided much to look at from many directions

This Reddish Egret's bright breeding plumage could be spotted from far away.

Wouldn't you want to be there?

Near the Ranger's house, the Murlberry Trees are loaded with fruits and the birds are loving it. Here is an Indigo Bunting getting his fix.

Very sweet! A Baltimore Oriole and my camera is focusing on it - yeah!

I see that there is also a female Orchard Oriole to his right - how cool is that!

"Yum, I love these fruits....I'm gonna get me more of that".

Another Indigo Bunting - feasting away.

Summer Tanager always seem to take my breath away.

Other than this Summer Tanager that took my breath away - were beautiful species that I couldn't get photos of - such as a Red-breasted Grosbeak and a Black-whiskered Vireo.

A lonely Cowbird

A beautiful Cape May Warbler caught the attention of many.

After seeing this Cape May and the Black-whiskered Vireo, we made our way to the picnic tables and fueled our bellies while we exchanged notes about the 80 species that we had seen. The Black-whiskered Vireo was voted the bird of the day....I so wish that I would have been able to show you - I guess you'll have to open your bird id book for that one if you've never seen it.

After saying our goodbyes to the Caloosa members, my friend Gail and I stepped back to the Murlberry Tree to catch sight of whomever we could see. A nice fellow identified this immature male Orchard Oriole for us and I'm thankful for that.

And this, my friend, concludes my visit to Fort De Soto. Another great day spent birding...now that I've rested, I'm ready to catch sight of the migrants coming through the Lighthouse of Sanibel.

My E-Bird List for today  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17894877