Owl, Woodpeckers, Plovers, Kites - Oh My!

Boy, where does the time go?? It's been a couple of weeks since I've had time to sit down and gather up my thoughts and photos to create a blog. Since I'm so far behind - I've decided to share bits and pieces of what I had the opportunity to observe for the past 2+ weeks - so come along and take a look....

This Black-bellied Plover was observed near Bowman's Beach - soon it will change and start to get some black spots on its belly before turning totally black.

A group of Royal Terns which drew my attention, I found it especially interesting to see the different color bill - the brighter red was a sure indicator of breeding - they sure are looking elegant.

A few days later I visited the Pond Apple Trail with my friend Lisa Hoyt from Michigan. Some of our sightings were these two Red-bellied Woodpeckers....notice how red the belly is on the bird above.

A Palm Warbler all decked out with its rusty cap and bright brown & yellow plumage....soon it will reach its summer destination and will breed its little brood.

Along the retention ponds we also found this Cattle Egret as well as...

this Tricolored Heron - check its bill and legs!

On our way back along the trail I spotted this Louisiana Waterthrush....

sweet spotting especially since this was a 'lifer' for Lisa. This migrating bird has probably reached its destination by now.

A few days later we found ourselves with the Caloosa Bird Club in Pine Island - check the view from this private pier!

A neighboring pier had a little group of Dunlins and a Semi-palmated Plover.

Of course a trip through Cape Coral requires a stop at the ball field to check on the Burrowing Owls - this one enjoyed a sun bath.

Several days later and after working 4 very busy days - I was due for some peaceful relaxation and what better way to do that than head to the beach to catch a brand new sunrise - this is the tip of Sanibel island with the lighthouse on the left.

A Black-bellied Plover leisurely finding some juicy morsels for its breakfast.

The 'newer' Sanibel Pier - the only feathered friend found along the railing was a Reddish Egret patiently waiting for a hand out.

I cringe when I see those beautiful birds getting used to being fed and especially hanging around a fishing pier - it's just a matter of time before it gets tangled into monofilament and/or hooked which could cause much damage and then some.

I then got off the beach and cruised down the 'utility lane' along the lighthouse in search of some migrants going through - it was pretty quiet on that venue except for a handful of Prairie Warblers - they were busy feeding before resuming their trek north.

It's black circles looks much better than mine.

And today, a day later, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Elaine - a visit to the Bailey Tract took us along the Ani Pond where much of the action was taking place - this Black-necked Stilt drew my attention.

We then extended our hike to the Frannie's Preserve where we located a beautiful Swallow-tailed Kite.

Seen here preening while in the company of two Red-bellied Woodpeckers.

Not too far away - its mate seemed comfortable sitting and watching.

Nearby a Pileated Woodpecker was preening - making me realize that it was the first time I observed one doing so.

Then we came across a little pond that was filled with birds - a Snowy Egret here....

A Great Egret there, a few White Ibis and...

a young Roseate Spoonbill - wow!!

At some point the feathers were flying.

What a treat this turned out to be!

Thank you for reading - stay tuned - I plan to return to the Lighthouse area in the very near future with the hopes of bringing you some migrants reports.

At the Bailey Tract

It is good to be here! I finally had a free day to go birding and I truly enjoyed my morning....several birds were out and I had the opportunity to marvel  at the warblers and their feeding frenzy - the Yellow-rumped were in great numbers and so were the Tree Swallows. In the meantime I captured this Gray Catbird who stood out in the open.

A lovely Tricolored Heron stood still - perhaps pretending to be part of those stumps.

Some Prairies and Northern Parulas were amongst the Yellow-rumped today - making it fun to watch.

This makes an interesting pair, don't you think?

Our last capture today was this green bee who was gathering pollen from this Thistle which was quite visible as it built up on its hind legs.....so much work and so little time.

Migration time at the Slough

Migration was heating up at the Slough this past week and it makes me wish that I lived nearby so that I could hop over on a daily basis. In any event, I had the opportunity to visit on Monday and enjoyed seeing/being part of this 'heaven on earth' that the slough exhumes while walking over the water - on the boardwalk that is. 

Several photos were taken and some of them were decent, take a look for yourself.....

My first interesting sighting was in the early morning hours and way up at the top of the trees, after watching it for a bit - I started to recognize

that I was admiring a Baltimore Oriole - the size, the shape, the bill and the wing bars were my main clues - the computer helped me to clarify its identity.

And then, toward the end of our boardwalk enjoyment - we were blessed with quite an exciting viewing....

right in front of us - at eye level - we had this large group of birds show up.....this Worm-eating Warbler,

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,

Yellow Warbler,

Prairie Warbler and

Carolina Wren all of a sudden gathered together and voiced some sort of excitement - they were obviously disturbed over something.....

we watched with excitement and awe and soon realized why they were so....

it was this Yellow Rat Snake that caused all this excitement - eventually the birds left the area, the snake resumed its descent down the trunk and no one was hurt in the process.

And this, my friends, concluded yet another memorable morning at the Slough.

 

A few of my favorite things

Some photos that I took this week while observing the wildlife around me - come along and see....

This Short-billed Dowitcher was observed on Tuesday near Turner Beach.

A visit to Rotary Park on Wednesday brought good sighting of this tailless Prairie Warbler.

A Loggerhead Shrike - I'm so glad they are back in town.

In the woods we found a Chuck-will's-Widow, quite a nice surprise to see it - usually I hear it and it's pitch black outside.

Some colorful Golden-silk Spiders can be found in the woods too and if you're not careful you might just walk into their wide webs.

Paper Wasps - check the tiny waist! It is said to sting but are not aggressive.

And OH MY! What a nice surprise - a Mangrove Cuckoo hanging - where else - in the mangroves!

Another Golden Silk -pretty but I'll still keep my distance, thank you.

Yesterday I took my husband out to lunch along  the Causeway - great homemade Chicken salad sandwich with a fantastic water view with a bonus: A Great Egret.

This morning I was biking across the island and entered the Pond Apple Trail which was mostly under water - ahead of me was a Northern Waterthrush bobbing along while eating its fill in the puddles.

After reaching several very deep puddles I decided to turn around - on my way back, these Egrets had taken this spot for some rest.

I just love to watch the wildlife and it always makes me wonder what they are thinking about - feel free to fill in the blanks on this scene.