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!

Harns Marsh with the Caloosa Bird Club

It had been 4 months since my last visit at Harns Marsh - way too long. We got an early start today with the hopes of seeing a King Rail that has been reported to have been there, a few folks from the club heard it but no one saw it. However as birding goes, there is never a bad day while birding and today was no exception, come along and see.

The sun was about to rise and we could see many ducks species - a few Ring-necked Ducks are always a pretty sight.

A few Sandhill Cranes flew overhead while belting out their lovely chorus.

The star of the day - a Snail Kite. He gave us some great looks while he flew and dove down for succulent snails which he carried off to a nearby snag where he savored his hard earned meal.

What a nice pair of Ring-necked Duck.

A female Snail Kite produced a lively conversation while some of us wondered whether it was a Harrier or not - our books and bird apps came in handy for comparison.

A Cattle Egret - the smallest in the Egret family coming in at 20".

Harns Marsh is usually only opened for foot traffic, the club made previous arrangements for us to be able to drive through - it is a 4 mile loop. We combined people in cars and caravan our way through while stopping several times for ample observation. A scope is highly recommended for good views.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes with two White Ibis and a Cattle Egret.

Along the outer edge of Harns Marsh - some private properties and several horses were observed as well. We were hoping to find the Red-headed Woodpecker which has been seen in the past but today they were nowhere to be found.

More chorus going on - I love these guys.

A Lesser Yellowleg, a Killdeer, A Least Sandpiper and a Western Sandpiper - what a nice variety!

A Glossy Ibis - beautiful in person but difficult to photograph.

On the way home we made a quick stop at a member's house, these folks have been setting up bird feeders for years and they are rewarded with yearly returns of beautiful Painted Buntings and American Goldfinch.

And this, folks, conclude the birding trip for today....stay tune for more :). My E-Bird List for today at Harns Marsh http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20660904

Sorry I can't share where I saw the American Goldfinch and Painted Buntings since it is at someone's private home.

Pick a Piper

Ahhh.....the little brown peeps....as they are lovingly referred to. For a new birder like myself it can become a head scratching event. Though, as I enter my second year of paying attention to my feathered friends, I am starting to notice differences and yet some still leave me in awe.

The more knowledgeable folks can recognize the plummage within the season, the sex and the age of the peeps. Take a good look at those first few photos by noticing the bill, the toes, the markings,

the eyebrow line, the size difference with the others.....

and then the real McCoy stands out - all of these photos were of a Semipalmated Sandpiper. Here the Semipalmated is following two Sanderlings.

Lesser yellowlegs