Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Monday morning = Caloosa Bird Club gathering and today we met at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. We were blessed with comfortable breezy weather and swell company.

Our first sighting this morning was a bunch of Brown-headed Cowbirds mixed in with the pine cones - spotted....you guessed it.....in the parking lot.

Then we checked out the bird feeders and sure enough the Painted Buntings were around - what a nice burst of color!

Then, the star of the day, a Barred Owl....

I kept hoping that he would belt out his "Who Cooks for You?" but he chose to remain silent.

The Carolina Wren on the other end were quite vocal throughout our journey in the sanctuary.

A young Yellow-crowned Night Heron

And a Black-crowned Night heron - not quite so young and not quite adult yet.

Several Anhingas were seen too and some were sitting on nests.

The teenager Black-crowned Night Heron

Don't you just love this place? It makes you want to follow that path with great anticipation for the surprises that waits for you.

The Great Egret with its breeding colors - check the green lore!

Cedar Waxwings were above us - hard to see but the silhouette is a sure giveaway.

The third Barred Owl - what a special day this is turning out to be.

He's ready for some peace and quiet.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

A Red-Shouldered Hawk sitting on his nest.

The cherry on top - an Indigo Bunting

Our fearless leader for the day - Thank you Arthur. A great variety and a fun morning. My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17482664 with 46 species.