Estero Preserve at Winkler

This rustic preserve has become one of my favorite places to go to - it can be rough walking, boots are needed most of the time and a mosquito head net is often worn - and I love it! We had a total of 53 species this morning and it was lovely, here are a few snapshots that I took along the way....

 I've been looking for this Nelson Sparrow on and off for a couple of years now and I was totally delighted to find it in this little clump of mangrove along with a Sedge Wren just a foot or so down below it - how sweet is that!

That large clump of mangrove is where we saw it.

At the large pond for the past two years we had several hundred different ducks visiting for the winter, so far this winter this is it - 6 Lesser Scaup and 2 White Pelicans had the pond to themselves....hopefully they will bring their friends soon.

At the bayside we were hoping to see some Avocets but were surprised with Red-breasted Mergansers and several Reddish Egrets....

those three White Pelicans were perched on stumps - perhaps drying their feet for a bit.

A few hundred Tree Swallows had an harmonious rhythm going until a Red-shouldered Hawk made an appearance and made them all scatter in different directions.

Soon after a Bald Eagle cruised on by.

Soon it was time to head back but not before taking a closer look at this Yellow-rumped Warbler - a very interesting specie with many different features from one bird to the next.

Another day, another stick and another preserve - so much to see and so little time.....do take the time to explore and enjoy the moments in your day....I did and I have no regrets.

December 26, 2016 - North Cape Coral with the Caloosa Birding Club

I'm a bit behind in posting so bear with me as I'm catching up. This particular outing was a birding day with the Caloosa Bird Club - the meeting took place in North Cape Coral....our first stop was at Charlotte Harbor State Preserve.

That particular morning was rather windy which made it fun to watch the Tree Swallows - there were most likely several hundred of them at one point.

A Northern Flicker was heard several times before we were able to locate it - smart fellow!

 

We walked all the way to the point and were greeted by this pair of Hooded Mergansers.

Along the shore it was evident that someone else had beat us to this location - I'd venture to say that it was a raccoon.

Our next stop was the leader's house for coffee and sweet treats and when we came out of his house we observed a group of Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Then off we went to the usual spot to view the Scrub Jay family - we had 5 of them in sight at one point.

Around the corner we spotted this pair of Burrowing Owl - though I bet they spotted us before we saw them.

And that's all for now - keep a watch for the next post.

 

Viera Wetlands & Click Ponds

Our last day along this coast - there is much in the plans for today and plenty to see - after layering up we headed off. While waiting for the light to change we watched with glee a Caracara eat his breakfast.

Picture was taken in an idling car and from the back center seat where my view was extremely limited.

We arrived at our first destination and were greeted by a pair of Great Blue Heron, from the look of it - they are sporting their bright and beautiful breeding plumage.

I was happy to see a Savannah Sparrow - I like these guys and I don't get to see them very often.

A Wilson Snipe was tucked in and staying warm.

Some of the roads that we didn't get to see - as I said  I would need a week of Sundays to cover it all.

Sandhill Cranes - a few were seen and many more were heard.

A common and beautiful Great Egret.

Several Horned Grebes were swimming about.

A Downy Woodpecker.

One Tree Swallow was seen resting on a reed while his hundred friends were flying around.

A Red-shouldered Hawk - this guy was a lot more 'red' than what I usually see.

One of many Green Herons.

What a great trip this was. Many of the group members mentioned how quieter it was 'birdwise' this time around but for me, being my first time, I was quite pleased with the entire experience and I look forward to the near future to re-visit this location.

Big Cypress area with the Caloosa Bird Club

It's Monday - which means Caloosa Birding Club day and today's first destination: Ten Thousand Islands - come along and take a peek....

 A trail off the busy path of US 41- worth checking into the next time you are in the area.

We slowly and quietly took on the trail - observing the wild life around us. Several Wood Storks were seen feeding in the twinkling water.

Anhingas consuming its favorite food: fish!

A bush full of Little Blue Herons - immature (white) and adults (blue). A great walk on the wild side - My E-Bird list for this trail. Then we were off to our next location...

We had hoped to see the Barred Owl along the boardwalk but tried as we may we were not able to locate it - however we had some great views of this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker....

If you look closely you can actually see where it quietly tapped and formed shallow holes in the tree bark - all lined up in a row, this sapsucker feeds on sap and on insects attracted to the sap.

Off in the distance, a large gator was resting. The size of the gators seen in the Everglades are humongous in comparison to the gator that we have on the island where I live.

The scenery along the Big Cypress Bend Fakahatchee is just breathtaking - my photos can not do it justice....one person that has worked its magic with conveying the proper feeling of this environment is Clyde Butcher hands down.

How about this Black-and-white Warbler! Overheard from the group was: "Oh, that's a good bird!" - I ask you: "Is there a bad bird?". LOL

Do you think the Great Blue Heron liked all the attention? It seems to be in deep complicated thoughts.

On the way out we all feasted our eyes on a Black-crowned Night Heron which was busy trying to eat a Gar.

Haha! Check out my catch!

Yumm...this will be delicious.....

"Perhaps I bit more than I can chew." And so, we must thank this little fellow for the close-up entertainment. My E-Bird List for this location.

 It was time to move on to the next stop: Kirby Storter Roadside Park - another 20 miles south or so from the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk. As we were traveling on U.S.41 at 60mph, we encountered above us a cloud of.....

Tree Swallows - hard to tell exactly how many there was - estimated to be over 10,000 at the very least. We wished we could have pulled over to observe and feel the phenomena of such spectacle - truly a memorable moment.

They were seen landing on nearby twigs. (this photo was taken a year prior but it serves its purpose here).

Shortly after we arrived at our last destination.

Another boardwalk which takes us deep into the wild - yet so close to U.S. 41 (traffic zooming by could still be heard).

Yet, there is a quiet peacefulness within the area.

My group seen observing warblers way up in the tree top - a great neck exercise in addition to savoring the eye candy.

Gar fish - the favorite food of many birds.

A small lizard seen basking in the warmth of the sun.

It's time to wrap it up .... now that we've fed our souls it is time to feed our stomach.

While we finished up our lunches and tallied up our bird sighting - a few Tree Swallows made a brief appearance to bid us farewell till the next time. My E-Bird list for this location.