Migrants!

A lot of good reports were coming in about Rotary Park in Cape Coral and all the cards fell into place, Elaine and I ended up there this morning - a great idea!

We arrived early and the place was already abuzz with warblers, come and take a look....

A female Summer Tanager

A Downy woodpecker came around too.

Black-throated Blue Warbler - a male.

Another Summer Tanager

An Eastern Wood-Pewee

American Redstart - how lucky to have him sitting long enough for a photo.

A Yellow-throated Warbler.

A Black-and-white Warbler.

 

A Palm Warbler - they have arrived and they are everywhere - and I love it.

 

So, if you get a chance - take it. Check my list - which would have been bigger if I didn't have to leave early.

Harn's Marsh - Lehigh Acres

It is June and it happens to be one of the slowest month of the year for birding in Florida, hence the reason why E-bird puts out a challenge to get folks out there to go birding. So, what better way to start the month than a visit to Harn's Marsh in Lehigh Acres! This is one of those out of the way spot that is quite rewarding to visit.

Several Limpkins were already having a breakfast feast - juicy apple snails.

One of 5 Roseate Spoonbills that I spotted along the Marsh.

Some Black Vultures were lazily stretching as they were waking up for the day.

My favorites - Sandhill Cranes - Here is a family with a young colt.

Oh boy! "What big wings you have!"

I was very pleased that they came closer and gave us great views.

Close to the reeds - a family of Common Gallinule.

Several Wood Storks flew over our heads - it is nice to see them.

Some more Black Vultures were spotted - we saw several of them in/out of the trees. After a bit we ventured out and cruised some of the streets in Lehigh Acres in search of....

Red Headed Woodpeckers. I have to warn you here because several of the following photos are....

more Red-headed Woodpeckers.

Once in a while there was a little surprise here and there - such as this juvenile Northern Flicker...

and a Downy Woodpecker - one of the ways to differentiate between a Downy & a Hairy is that a Downy has dots on its tail as well as a smaller bill.

Some Purple Martins were seen hanging around this particular dead tree - unusual spot as they are usually seen in/around gourds in people's yards.

Isn't that the most gorgeous woodpecker?

More Purple Martins - ladies and immatures.

This is an optical illusion and the woodpecker is not trapped.

I've never been in such close proximity of Red-headed Woodpecker - and this really made my day.

This is the type of habitat where we found those woodpeckers.

Well, folks, is there a better way to end the day than with a Red-tailed Hawk....I think not. My E-bird (Harn's Marsh), E-bird (Lehigh Acres) Lists for today.

      

Red-tailed Hawk?? I think not.                              

 

Going to church - Church Road in Hendry Co.

Elaine and I got set to go across a few counties - first stop was in Lee Co, looking for the Whip-poor-will....the only thing I got out of that goal was to learn how to spell it....no show on the bird. Then as we headed to Hendry Co with a few species to see in mind, we saw our first Caracara of the day.

I think it's going to be a good day.

As we arrived at Church Road, we heard the Robins and saw them settle in a nearby tree.

Savannah Sparrows were greeting the new day.

So was the Eastern Phoebe.

Up till that point the weather seemed to be holding up....but now it was time to seek shelter.

A double rainbow....has the pot of gold been deposited in my car?? No, no such luck.

Soon the weather cleared up and things were looking much brighter....such as this tree....filled with

6 Western Kingbirds, 1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers and tons of sweet oranges.

The Crested Caracaras were everywhere - we counted 12.

Along that fence with the Crested Caracaras was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

They make a fine pair, don't you think?

The air is changing - it made me feel as if I was in Kansas and watching the sky for the next development.

All's well....off we go across Collier County and back into Lee County, a quick stop at Gator Hole.

Several Bluebirds greeted us.

And Downy Woodpeckers entertained us.

I don't know about you, but to me this looks lovely....I love the outdoors and all that it entails.

A mystery bird.

More trails....YES!

We reached the end of the trail and high tailed it home....until.....we spotted ducks on the side of the road....

There was so many of them....I pulled out the scope and we counted....350 Ring-necked Ducks and 8 Coots.

And that, my friend, makes for a ducky day!