Today I had the pleasure of being in the company of a good friend who happens to be a birder and a photographer - we enjoyed discovering many birds along the quiet paths of the Sanibel Garden Preserve and the Bailey Tract - even though it is June, it is hot and the majority of the birds have flown north - we were pleasantly surprised with the numbers of birds as well as the nice variety.....see for yourself.
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| It never cease to amaze me when I come across such a flock of birds - to watch them as they share space while they feed in a frenzy, it makes me smile as I listen to their concert. |
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| Here is a great comparison of a Snowy Egret with its yellow slippers standing next to the Great Egret. See how one has a black beak with yellow feet and one has a yellow beak with black feet.....I thought I would never learn all the differences as it can be a bit overwhelming at first but I can assure you that with diligence and perseverance that it starts to make sense after a while. |
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| Here's a Roseate Spoonbill right smack in the middle of a Great Egret and a Snowy Egret - can you tell who's who without seeing their feet? |
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| Here is a second year White Ibis with an adult Roseate Spoonbill - probably in its 4th year or so...visible by the bright pink and the orange tail. |
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| This Roseate Spoonbill on the other hand happens to be in its first year - look how pale the pink is. |
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| The Snowy may be small but he's not diminutive. |
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| I love all the little details of the fine feathers and the reflection in the pond. |
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| A good catch for this Tricolored Heron |
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| A greater catch for the Great Blue Heron |
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| The Black-necked Stilts were in most of the ponds within the Bailey Tract |
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| and so were the Killdeers |
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| Did you know the inside of its mouth is pink? |
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| Very elegant and delicate bird. |
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| Do you think the Little Blue Heron wants to become a big white bird? |
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| That Little Blue in its immature form is quite striking - by next year it will be totally blue. |
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| Snowy coming for a landing. |
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| Little Blue Heron taking off. |
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| The immature Green Heron bid us farewell for the day |
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| actually, he really didn't pay us much attention as he was quite focus on getting his next meal. |
My E-Bird List http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18785951
I love seeing Little Blue Herons change from white to blue. They look so cool in their blue checks. How nice to see so many pretty birds in June. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow you sure know when to take the picture... Great job. Tri-colored heron look like he was going to have himself a good meal. I just love the vivid pink on the roseate spoonbill, black necked stilts legs so long and tiny, love his zebra neck pattern.
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