Home stretch - recap

Migration is winding down and we're on the home stretch now - I had the opportunity to go to the Lighthouse and to travel through Ding Darling in search of the latest migrants, this year we are not seeing the birds in great numbers which, in essence, means the birds are finding some favorable conditions for traveling north - we wish them well. 

One exception though was seeing the Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks by the dozen - that was quite exciting and OH! what eye candy they are.

A Yellow-crowned Night Heron probably wondered what the fuss was all about - however it paid us no mind and went about its feeding business.

The Scarlet Tanager on the other hand truly stole the show!

I found another along the Shell Mound and this one was sound asleep and all tucked in behind 1000s sticks, it was probably exhausted from the trip and needed some rest before resuming its journey.

Another visit to the Lighthouse and this time we found a female Scarlet Tanager....

a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and....

a few males around the corner - they were not so generous with us and kept hidden for the most part.

This morning I returned to my ole stomping ground - the Bailey Tract - where I observed several Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings.

Of course the regulars came into play too and it was most enjoyable to watch this Mottled Duck family come straight toward me - I stood still so as not to spook them and they walked right by me.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker caught my attention when the sawdust started to fly around.

Along the edge of the Sanibel River several gators were seen getting their sun rituals, I pointed them out to the visitors and they were quite delighted to see them.

Around the corner a Black-necked Stilt was spotted on the nest, soon we will have little chicks walking around.

Those Stilts are just so elegant looking.

As I was heading out a group of Least Sandpipers landed along the island within the Ani Pond - sweet! This day at the Bailey Tract this morning turned out to be a fantastic spree - I tallied up 56 species - a record for me at this location. See my E-bird List for today.

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.

Bailey Tract visit - From Green Heron to Orchard Oriole

I was due for an early visit to the Bailey Tract and this time of the year can be really peaceful there, what's not to love! Come and visit with me.....

Oh Look! We have a greeter today.....

a Green Heron - "Good Morning to you!".

A young Little Blue was slowly waking up.

A silent Great-crested Flycatcher was observing me.

One of the greeter's relative was nearby too.

Oh!, Look how much the Common Gallinule have grown.

And what do we have here?

If you guessed an immature Black-crowned Night Heron, then you win the early bird prize.

The sun is slowly rising and the true colors are coming up - a Red-shouldered Hawk drying up from his morning bath.

A young Red-bellied Woodpecker exploring all that his world has to offer.

The Tricolored Heron is always one to admire.

A Brown Anole that lost its tail to a predator,

this one sports his entire tail.

This little turtle was quite far away - I don't have enough clue to properly identify - If you know, do pipe in.

A Kingbird - with a white tail tip it would indicate an Eastern Kingbird.

And what a nice surprise! An Orchard Oriole - welcome back!

A visit to the Slough

This is such a great time to visit the Six Miles Cypress slough - the water is deeper, the Cypress trees are lushly green, the air is cooler and the boardwalk is very peaceful. Several warblers have been reported lately and we were pleased to see them in addition to what the Slough has to offer, come along and see.....

The Button Bush is one of my favorite and they were in bloom....

attracting the Swallowtail Butterflies - an Eastern Tiger grabbed our attention.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker nestled within the Ferns and Bromeliads.

One of the paths leading to inner peace.

A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was seen and heard.

Snail Eggs!

They were laid at the base of the Cypress Tree.

Some Fungus growing on this tree past its prime

however being a host and providing insects meal for the birds - especially the woodpeckers.

This is my lucky day - another Swallowtail seen on a Button bush bloom.

Another Yellow-billed Cuckoo with his prized frog catch.

And these were a few of my favorite things.