Sanibel Community Park Trail - The Frannie's Preserve Extension

I've been meaning to check on this new trail off the main beaten path of Periwinkle Way - well, today was the day....come and see....

The entrance is toward the back of the playground, before you proceed check the map out.

The Frannie's preserve extension is outlined here - for today I chose the blue trail surrounding the water ponds.

Most of the paths are pretty much easy to follow, however the trails are not marked.

One of the first ponds.

First sign of wildlife - a White Ibis.

Several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Palm Warblers were heard and seen.

This trail was a bit muddy and after a bit the trail was hard to spot - will have to return at a later time.

Another pond and another trail.

This trail was a flitter of Zebra Longwings....making it somewhat magical.

A few more White Ibis and....

a River Otter with its fish.

A Kingfisher was quite busy and vocal around this pond.

Not too far, a Red-shouldered Hawk with its keen eye.

The trails circle around the pond, a different view of those White Ibis.

I have a feeling that this location could become a hot spot - it is a natural habitat, away from the noises and hustles, plenty of water and insects. I will return and report again in the near future.....after all....I still have the Frannie's Extension trail to venture unto.

 

Wild Wednesday

I started my day with a visit at Ding Darling - wanting/hoping to see the White Pelicans. Some days you get what you want and today I got something else :) It was incredibly buggy this morning and resorted to birding inside my vehicle and taking pictures through my windows....note to self....make sure to keep windows clean.

A Yellow-Crowned Night Heron landed near me and made me smile - I love these guys.

By the tower - a group of Woodstorks were busy preening and getting ready for the day.

A Great Blue Heron was nearby - watching others.

Some Short-billed Dowitchers

A Black-bellied Plover without its black belly

Another Great Blue Heron

The morning treat: A Kingfisher lady landed not too far from me and stayed for a while. I noticed the two white spots in front of its eyes - making me think of headlights.

Watching the blue sky and in deep thoughts perhaps.

I also made a stop along the Caloosa Trail and spotted a Magnolia Warbler who made the sweetest sound ever - it moved way quicker than my ability to photograph it - however this visual and sound was accentuated with a heavenly smell from these flowers and it truly made for a perfect stroll, never a boring moment.           

 After a break and some refreshments, I headed out to the Bailey Tract and had a grand time....come and see.....

A gator across the pond and from the look of it, I believe it probably measures close to 10 feet, I wouldn't want to mess with that one.

Soon after, I noticed a family of Raccoons heading in my direction and I wondered how close they were going to get.....

Before I could think any further, they veered to the right and disappeared into the bushes...

This little fellow seemed to lag a bit behind, then....with a sprint....he bolted forward "Wait for me!"

Now, here's a funny sight! A Little Blue Heron taking a cooling bath.

I thought he was in quite deep.....

only to see it go even deeper. For a minute there I thought he was going to get his head under too, but at last he turned and headed away - most likely to do some deep preening.

My attention got turned around when I heard a high-pitched twittering and I knew who that was....

A Bald Eagle - what a grand way to end the birding day!

 

Peaceful path

It had been a week since my last visit at the Sanibel Garden Preserve and the Bailey Tract and I felt the need to be in a peaceful place this morning - while visiting my feathered friends, it was a nice surprise to see the Swallow-tailed Kites right were I saw them the last time.

This morning there were 10, all perched in trees - getting ready for the day.

I left the Kites behind and proceeded to the pond next to the cell phone tower - this Ibis has a sweet personality - just looking at his face, I could see great character.

The red face and white eye is indication that this is a breeding adult.

A Cattle Egret was perched with a juvenile Ibis and an Anhinga.

The Belted Kingfisher shrill was heard and I soon spotted him as he landed on the top of this dead branch - sweet spot for me to study him.

I soon made it back to the beginning of the trail and was surprised to see that the Kites were still here.

This is where I stood - as evident in my shadow - while observing the Kites.

Interesting to see them perching within those branches.

 My E-Bird List for the Garden Preserve http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17868791

I made my way across to the Bailey Tract - one of the Black-necked Stilt pair was busy feeding along the Middle Dike.

Then I spotted what I thought was a Kestrel and wondered why it was still around - however - when I got home and put the pics on my PC, I realized that I had been looking at a Merlin.

This male Common Ground-Dove was busy foraging the open ground.

Then I looked up when I heard the sound of the Red-eyed Vireo.

Boy! Was I pleasantly surprised to see that I've finally capture the "red" eye - sweet.

Eastern Kingbird came over for a visit along the Airplane Canal.

The wild flowers are plentiful and change with the season - this fresh clump of Southern Fleabane was appealing to the eye and happens to bloom year around in south Florida.

The Merlin was still around.

The Great Blue Heron flew over my head and landed on a tall branch by the Smith Pond.

This position reminded me of families of Great Blue Herons that I have seen nesting over the past few months.

Off he went - deeper into the vegetation....not a small feat for such a big bird.

 I was glad that I chose to spend time there this morning - it was soothing and rejuvenating to my soul. My E-bird List for the Bailey Tract http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17868846