Going to church - Church Road in Hendry Co.

Elaine and I got set to go across a few counties - first stop was in Lee Co, looking for the Whip-poor-will....the only thing I got out of that goal was to learn how to spell it....no show on the bird. Then as we headed to Hendry Co with a few species to see in mind, we saw our first Caracara of the day.

I think it's going to be a good day.

As we arrived at Church Road, we heard the Robins and saw them settle in a nearby tree.

Savannah Sparrows were greeting the new day.

So was the Eastern Phoebe.

Up till that point the weather seemed to be holding up....but now it was time to seek shelter.

A double rainbow....has the pot of gold been deposited in my car?? No, no such luck.

Soon the weather cleared up and things were looking much brighter....such as this tree....filled with

6 Western Kingbirds, 1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 2 Red-bellied Woodpeckers and tons of sweet oranges.

The Crested Caracaras were everywhere - we counted 12.

Along that fence with the Crested Caracaras was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

They make a fine pair, don't you think?

The air is changing - it made me feel as if I was in Kansas and watching the sky for the next development.

All's well....off we go across Collier County and back into Lee County, a quick stop at Gator Hole.

Several Bluebirds greeted us.

And Downy Woodpeckers entertained us.

I don't know about you, but to me this looks lovely....I love the outdoors and all that it entails.

A mystery bird.

More trails....YES!

We reached the end of the trail and high tailed it home....until.....we spotted ducks on the side of the road....

There was so many of them....I pulled out the scope and we counted....350 Ring-necked Ducks and 8 Coots.

And that, my friend, makes for a ducky day!

 

The Salt Marsh

Plans sometimes are meant to be broken - Libby and I left this morning with the intention of visiting Bunche Beach because the tides were right for the venue, however on our way there it started raining and I suggested that we spent a bit of time at the Salt Marsh while the rain storm passed through. Turns out we spent a good 3 hours at that location with much to feast our eyes on in spite of the weather.

One of the first Sparrow to see - our first guess had been Saltmarsh but after further study and some discussion, it was deemed to be a Wilson's Sparrow.

Several Yellowlegs were seen - Lesser and Greater.

Then a Saltmarsh Sparrow - very sweet!

A House Wren drew a lot of attention.

Semipalmated Plovers and Least Sandpipers - resting/sleeping.

A Killdeer all fluffed up and resting too.

Bob Pelky - a blogger and photographer - was seen heading further unto the salt marsh with the hopes of getting a closer look of the Merlin.

More resting birds.

And off they went! We watched and stood still as they swirled around us, letting us feel their wind and hear their wing beats....wow....it always amaze me and takes me to a higher plane.

Soon they came back and rested again. We looked for that Merlin and figured that it might have moved from its perch and was probably the cause of disturbance.

Least Sandpipers

As we headed back to Sanibel, we cruised the Causeway and observed some Ruddy Turnstones and Willets. A Great Blue Heron was a nice surprise around the corner - check it out.

Check those plumes and blue lores - mother nature is perfect just the way it comes.

What a nice way to end the day.

As I dropped Libby off - we took a quick look at the Gulf to see if the Scoters were still there and sure enough there they were. We are still debating whether they are Black Scoters or White Winged Scoter.