Just July

As I walked the Sanibel Preserve this morning and then the Bailey Tract, I pondered over the June Challenge and how it was touted as being a 'slow' month, then thinking to myself: "July is slower yet". Low and behold, as I came back home and started listing my sighting to E-bird, I see an article about the fact that July is hot and there isn't much to see.....Ha! Oh well....it reminds me to appreciate what I see when I see it....like....I wouldn't mind a Yellow-rumped right about now, laughing to myself because they were so numerous in the winter month that after a while we paid them no attention - go figure.

Needless to say, I had a few surprises today - just enough to spark up my interest and keep me coming back.

The Green Herons are quite numerous within the Bailey Tract and quite a few young ones are being spotted too.

The Tricolored Heron had the pond pretty much to himself - I love how the sun played on his feathers and how it appears to be a painting - what a gorgeous bird!

How about a red,white and blue bird! The Black-crowned Night Heron was digesting and pruning as I went by, I loved how he smiled - don't you?

Now, how do you like that? A Blue-winged Teal amongst some Mottled Ducks - now, that's a nice surprise.

Sure, it is hot, it is quiet, it is July - but what is not to love about peace, tranquility, lush vegetation, the trail and the wildlife!

The Killdeer could be heard from trails away - I couldn't find his mate.

Here's another surprise for my day - A Black-necked Stilt chick!

And two more.

Unfortunately, they were as far as could be and this is the best that I could get out of my zoomed out lens. I was just happy to see them because I had wondered whether some of the families had been successful - and here they are.

Mama was standing guard while the chick probed about.

And this, my friend, makes for another great birding outing.

My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S18995628