Monday = Beginnings

It's Monday, let's start a fresh week!

I see the moon is still up - so I lace up my shoes and head to the beach.

Along the boardwalk - a Southern Toad is watching me go by.

....and there she is, in all her glory....

amazing how it looks with a close-up....it actually resemble a melon with its 'navel'.

I turn around and witness another day in its infancy with all the brilliance of its glory....

I'm ready for whatever the day will bring.

Ha! A Snowy Plover will do.

And perhaps some golden Sea Oats gently blowing and bending in the wind.

It helps to remain pliable and go with the flow.

After getting my fill of golden hues, I came home to be greeted by this pair of Carolina Wren....

"New Beginnings" indeed!

 

The sun rises anew

I've always had a preference for morning sunrise

to me it signifies a new beginning that is filled with promises....

as of late my life felt like this tangle web of roots - not being able to see where it all begins or ends...

but when I step back and look at the whole picture, then it's not so complicated after all. 

 

Today I'm able to feel the calm and I look forward to venture out - stay tuned!

Toad Thursday! Why not!

Today started with no expectations but rather a small plan of taking a walk along the shore - and surprises were welcomed.

I arrived early which was indicative by the fact that I was the only one in the lot. I set off along the boardwalk and spotted something I had never seen before - I quickly retreated and went to fetch my camera.

It turns out this is a Southern Toad - it is a true toad native to the S.E. USA. It often lives in areas with sandy soils. It is nocturnal and spends the day in a burrow.

I'd say, I was lucky to arrive just before it left for its burrow.

As I cleared the boardwalk - the sunrise greeted me with open arms.....ahhh.

It seemed as if gold was being poured on....I am rich!

A Sanderling was enjoying the morning too.

Two Laughing Gulls - a juvenile on the left and an adult on the right.

A pristine White Ibis - often called Florida Chickens as they are a dime a dozen - there are so many of them - yet they are worthy of second looks.

I bumped into one of my turtle buddies on my way back, Allen is on duty on Thursday and he was performing a data collection from a nest that perished - cause: too much water standing in and around the nest - result: not enough oxygen for the turtles to progress properly. We counted 147 unhatched eggs. Some beach walkers joined us and we shared our turtle knowledge with them.

Toward the end of my walk - I spotted a much bigger Gull from a distance and I was glad to have my camera along.....

that way I can properly identify what I am looking at. Those Gulls can be downright difficult because of the changes that they go through for the first 4 years and different seasons on top of that....

I was able to conclude that I was looking at a 2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull. I don't know about you, but personally I am glad that August is here and the fact that the doors have opened to let our migrating birds back in.....yeah....welcome back!

 

Bowman's Beach with the SanCap Audubon Group

I love spring and how the air feels as well as the clarity of it. Today's Audubon meet was at Bowman's Beach - a public beach with facilities galore (picnic tables, launching ramp for canoes/kayaks, a playground for kids, a fitness trail, outdoor showers, WC and a soda machine). I hadn't been there in a while and I looked forward to visit again.

I tend to get to my destination ahead of time and this morning I was rewarded with a gorgeous sunrise.

The Kestrel was quite willing to give us ample time to admire his beautiful feathers.

Interesting to see them side by side - not something I would expect to see.

Beautiful serene spot, don't you think? Soon the sea turtles will come back for a visit.

You just never know what you're going to see when you put your pics on the computer.

There was 26 people in our group.

A Brown Pelican in its breeding plumage of chocolate brown neck feathers.

We spotted 4 Spotted Sandpipers today.

Ospreys were plentiful too.

One happy singing fellow.

The view from the launching pad.

I always get a soft spot when I see those guys.

Here's a bright spot - this guy was chopping coconuts with a huge knife and sharing with tourists. 

 

 

 Another great morning of birding with some very fine folks. My E-Bird list for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17547398

Sanibel Lighthouse Point

Got up early this morning and I made my way down to the Lighthouse Point. I got there 45 minutes before the sunrise and could faintly see quite a few Yellow-crowned and Black-crowned Night Herons - both adults and juveniles. I believe I counted 9. When I finally had enough natural light to capture their photo - a jogger came along and dispersed every single bird life on the beach.....sigh.

At that point I got off the beach and meandered down the wooded path and boardwalk to see what else was stirring.

The sunrise was just spectacular and the peacefulness was spirit filled.

Wildlife was definitely becoming more active - and the woodpeckers were getting their fills.

Here the spider web was catching it's own sun rays - just heavenly.

This Spiny Orb Weaver was above my head as I walked off the boardwalk.

Many Cardinals were heard and seen as well as Carolina Wrens. I spotted another .... a warbler but can't identify it for sure. If my memory serves me right - the bottom half was yellow and the top half was black and white - just like the Black and White Warbler - it hung around a cabbage palm tree, feasting insects within the crown of the tree - always away from my view....more sigh.

The Osprey that hangs around the Lighthouse Point was eating a nice fresh fish - not quite what I would eat for breakfast but then again I am not a bird.

All good things must come to an end - I bid farewell to the Lighthouse until the next time.

My E-Bird list