CWA Lagoon

Some reports of a Whimbrel being seen at CWA Lagoon prompted me to make a visit, come along with me....

I was going to say that I arrived bright and early except that I got there so early there was no 'brightness' about it - but, the birds don't seem to mind as they were already there feeding away.

I bumped into Janet & Aaron Kirk and we all admired this Great Blue Heron and how classic his pose was.

I'm liking how the sky is turning blue, the stairs to heaven are a definite plus and I'm hoping the weather will clear up.

The Black Scoter is still hanging in its regular spot - patiently waiting for others to join her in the fall.

A bit of pink from the Roseate Spoonbill is bringing some brightness to a dreary day.

Oh My! What do we have here?

It's a Black Tern! This bird holds a sweet memory from a few years back when Carol & John Herr and I visited this very spot and saw our very first Black Tern - we were very happy with our find - what a great day that was!

A pair of them is very sweet and in breeding plumage too!

The Black Tern is slightly bigger than the Least Tern which is our smallest Tern.

And, my go-to bird has arrived and I'm glad it is only sprinkling at this point and that I

can take its photo.

Nearby is an American Oystercatcher with a green band.

The Whimbrel in the company of Marbled Godwits.

Some fancy footwork from a pair of Reddish Egret - quite entertaining.

More Roseate Spoonbills in their pretty pink.

Some footloose from the Marbled Godwit

while the American Oystercatcher was busy shaking the water off

....all clean now.

A SemiPalmated Plover was hunkering down.

Everytime I make it there, I always wonder why I don't make the trip more often as it is such a lovely spot.

I just love this bird with its bubble gum pink bill.

On my way back I made a quick stop at Bowitch Park - this lovely immature Little Blue watched its reflection in the little pool.

A Gray Kingbird kept diving down for flying insects before returning to its mangrove perch.

A young Sandwich Tern - interesting how the bill is yellow....but soon enough it will blend in with the rest of the flock.

 

Greed

"Greed" a word that comes to mind when I go birding because I often "want" to see certain species and these past two mornings I found myself wishing to see that Fork-tailed Flycatcher once again - well, what can I say....it was a gorgeous bird!

In any event, I truly enjoyed my outings and appreciated the few birds that I did encounter....come along and see....

Quite a few Red-bellied Woodpeckers can be seen - parents teaching their young ones how to fend for themselves.

Now, this was a nice surprise to find a Bald Eagle behind Bailey's General Store - Bald Eagles in Sanibel are far and few in between during the summer months.

One of two Gray Kingbirds that I spotted along the shopping center - there is a family that tends to hang around and it's always fun to find them.

The Swallow-tailed Kites were quite vocal as they soared and glided by.

"Sweet!" I thought to myself - a family of Mottled Ducks, always a joy to see.

A young Common Gallinule - the lighting makes it look as if it's a painting.

A young Red-Shouldered Hawk was very vocal this morning.

One of the many young Green Herons seen around the Bailey Tract - I love how we can see them freely this time of the year.

A little brush up from the Common Gallinule reminds me that every bird I encounter is a 'good' bird and I'm grateful for that.

 

Coming and going

Spring season brings about many changes, my winter friends are heading to their northern homes, the birds that have been here for several months are leaving toward their nesting grounds - in the meantime we have birds that are passing through and some that have arrived and are now nesting. Having said that - I've been spending more time locally and I'm sharing with you what I've seen the past couple of days....

A female Painted Bunting at the Shell Mound in Ding Darling, as well as....

a Blackpoll Warbler and....

a Black-throated Blue Warbler, sweet! While I was walking the boardwalk I met some folks and one gal shared some info about a Chuck-will-widow. This was quite a good tip to come across as I've never seen one - so, off I went to observe this camouflaged fellow....

I can see why it would be difficult to find when it is on the ground....

surrounded by dark twigs/foliage etc. I limited the amount of time greatly as I didn't want to distress the bird.

This morning I found myself along the beach with the moon glow in my back and the sun rising to the east. A Mottled Duck came in for a landing but missed a bit - hence the sand on its breast.

I think it's going to be another great day!

The Snowy Plovers were up already and busily feeding along the shoreline.

This one was resting along the whelk egg cases - blending in quite well too.

Its mate wasn't too far away.

My second stop today took me at the Lighthouse where I set my eyes on a beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird - wow on its red throat!

Not too far in the parking lot, we found a Painted Box Turtle - what interesting design on its shell!

By the Lighthouse a Grey Kingbird was chasing insects and returning to this twig to eat it.

Around the corner a Gopher Tortoise was getting ready to return to its borrow.

Another beautiful view of that Ruby-throated Hummingbird, I'm blessed today.

The Magnificent Frigatebird sealed the day.