Harn's Marsh in Lehigh Acres

It had been a few weeks since my last visit to Harn's Marsh and I've been reading reports of everyone's sighting making me want to revisit sooner than later - so plans were made and off we go....

We searched for a Solitary Sandpiper but found a Lesser Yellowleg instead - I'll take it :)

The Limpkins on the other hand were numerous and easily located.

The lovely Coots with their bright red eye and lobed toes.

The tricolored heron are getting more colorful as the spring progresses.

A group of Green-winged Teals was spotted in the distance and a Dowitcher impromptu flight was caught in the act.

A group of young Wood Storks.

A Red-shouldered Hawk squacking led us to its progressing nest.

A large Bumble Bee feasting on pollen and blowing in the wind - it was working hard.

And this concludes this outing - it was rewarding as always, this Swallow-tailed Kite sealed the day....my first sighting this year!

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!

 

My Sunday drive

What a way to start the day! A tree fully decorated with Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers....how many can you find?

The Yellow-rumped has arrived at the Bailey Tract.

The Mockingbird - I believe that he has gotten to know me because he doesn't even move when I go by.

The Brown Pelicans were flying - solo and in groups......to the Gulf they go.

The Palm Warbler - which at the time I mistakenly believed that it was a Prairie because of the bars on the belly and the yellow under the eye - however, the tail is a telltale for sure.

Sweet Phoebe who sings "Phoebe".

The Coot Family - snug as a bug in the reeds.

The Common Gallinule - or is it Moorhen?? An adult with a juvenile.

The Bailey Tract Ani Pond with 4 Grebes.

Here's another Mockingbird - curious and quiet.

A Tri-colored Heron - posing still. Check out those pink eyes!

The Anhinga - all dried up and ready for another swim.

Here is what I think is a Northen Harrier - I know....bad photo....but I'm hoping my friend Robert - the raptor expert - will clarify.

At the tract - Bailey's, that is.

What a beautiful morning this was....it felt "home" like....inviting, warm and very peaceful. These Red-Shouldered hawk were quite alert and eager for their next bite.

The Moon Flower - extending, reaching out for its last hooplah for the day.

This was what seemed to me to be the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher day - as they were flitting about all over the trail...up, down, around and back up again.

I love the surrounding colors of the vegetation too - as it so look like fall to me.

A yummy spider....oooh.....how I love little spiders.

The Common Yellowthroat - such a burst of sunshine - which brings a huge smile to my face.

The Coot Family 

Ducks....I'm still wondering if they are the Blue-winged Teal....but the white by their beak is missing, then I thought....maybe Mottling Ducks but their bills are not yellow...ummm...