From Moon to Sun to Duck and Gators - oh my!

It's a brand new day and I have free time - the full "Pink Moon" is also calling me - so off I go....

I made my way to my neighborhood beach and arrived on time to see the full moon in all its glory only to be blessed with....

a brand new spectacular sunrise on the horizon - I ask you: "Is there a better way to start the day?" and I say: "I think not".

Of course it also happens to be Easter week and look at the amount of people out on the beach at 7:00 in the morning! I'll leave it to your imagination as to how busy it gets come 10-11 o'clock.....if you didn't get a parking spot by then - you're out of luck.

Okay, enough about people - especially since I came over to observe nature and the beautiful world as it wakes up - This Black-bellied Plover is getting quite colorful as the season approaches.

And the regular Snowy Plovers were busy chasing bugs and staying out of people's way. Shortly after I left to investigate a recent sighting at the Sanibel Garden preserve....

I was quite delighted to see that it was still here - a male Northern Shoveler in the company of Black-necked Stilt.

Flying above my head I spotted an Osprey carrying more nesting material.

Back to this breathtaking Shoveler - my photos does not do it justice - my position and the sun was not conducive for optimal colorful photo and I wasn't about to get in that water where the gators live - no thank you.

How often do you see those two together?

This pair of Black-necked Stilts made this day even more special.

A pair of Killdeer tends to hang out there too and I suspect they might have started the family ritual.

Up on the tower - this Black Vulture kept its eyes on anything that moved - probably waiting for something to stop moving - if you catch my drift.

A young Gator was savoring something while sporting an evil looking grin.

In the meantime I'm thinking and hoping that this Black-necked Stilt pair will be successful this year.

Well, time is rushing away from me once again and the 'errands' are calling - on my way out I counted the young gators - all 12 of them....given the law of averages, they should prosper to a long life.

Celery Fields with the Caloosa Bird Club

It's a new day, a new month and a perfect time to meet up with the Caloosa Bird Club for a birding adventure - today's destination: Celery Fields....let's go!

We arrive early (the early bird gets the worm, you know - and the early birder gets the bird) and set out with bins and start looking. Right off the edge of those fence post - I found a Yellow-headed Blackbird mixed in with a dozen Brown-headed Cowbirds and as many Grackles. As soon as I got ready to take its photo, the whole flock took flight and disappeared down the street.

Across the way some Savannah Sparrows popped up.

Now, take this view in and see how inviting the area is.

Along the boardwalks we found several Soras - right out in the open for good looks. The Common Gallinule wished it had that much attention.

And that was the end of it.

A Swamp Sparrow probably wondered what was the fuss about.

In the meantime - "who's looking at who?" (A Red-shouldered Hawk on a camouflaged motion activated camera)

A Boat-tailed Grackle, my picture does not do it justice - it's plumage a rich and deep glossy blue.

A few Blue-winged Teal.

And a boat load of Northern Shovelers.

And up they went.

The Red-shouldered Hawk seemed to enjoy the show.

After a bit, we made our way into Myakka River State Park - this Tricolored Heron was one of the highlight.

The water levels were quite high following all the rain storms that we've had for the past two months - too deep for shorebirds.

Sweet sounds of birds raises our attention.

After doing our bird list and finishing up our lunches - we made a point of stopping along the bridge before leaving the park. A friend of mine (Hi Patch!) had mentioned that a white morph of the Great Blue Heron was hanging around - I was glad to be able to locate it.

It was a great day birding as always - way worth getting up in the wee hours of the morning. My E-Bird List for the Celery Fields, my E-Bird List for Palmer Blvd and my E-Bird List for Myakka River State Park.

Merritt Island - National Wildlife Refuge

Oh boy! It is time - but first breakfast and lots and lots of layers - it is 43 - a bit frisky for Florida. Okay I'm ready - let's go!

This Pigeon is warming up as best as he can.

We pulled on to Parrish Park and observed some Gulls and Skimmers...pulled out the scopes

and found our Long-tailed Duck! I love it when a plan comes together!

A Ruddy Turnstone on the edge is surrounded by sea foam which made me think of snow.

Oh, here's a photo taken of the Long-tailed Duck from at least half mile away but that's okay - the view was great in the scope....lifer for me :)

What a beautiful sight!

This is such a huge place - it would take a week of Sundays to see it all and then some. We drove and stopped at several spots along the way. A group of Dunlins and Sanderlings is one of our first greetings into the refuge.

Beautiful vistas everywhere I looked - with ample bird sightings.

The Avocet - always one to draw the attention....

such a beautiful shorebird.

And Ducks - some closer to us than others. A pair of Northern Shoveler in their beautiful plumage.

More Avocets - there were so many that they were causing a waves as they passed by.

So much to see and so little time.

A visit to the Visitor Information Center - a long boardwalk gracefully surrounded by large Oaks and Palm Trees.

A Dragonfly staying warm in the sun and blending in perfectly with this palm frond.

A Short-tailed Hawk carrying food and eating it on the fly....multitasking.

We spotted a banded Scrub Jay in the area where they are known to nest.

At this location - previous birders have reported seeing Eared Grebes with Horned Grebes...

when we saw them they were in line with those towers - at least half a mile away - lifer for me :)

A visit to the Canaveral National Seashore was in order too - a great place to seal the day.

Shells and sand of a different color/texture than what I am used to.

A Ruddy Turnstone doing what it is known for - turning stones while looking for food.

A group of Royal Terns, Forster and Sandwich being approached by a Willet and looked upon by a couple Ring-billed Gulls.

Foot prints in the sand.

The sky is reflecting the coolness of the air.

It's time to wrap it up for the day - food and rest is calling.

We were blessed with a beautiful sunset as we headed off the Island - what a great way to end the day!