Delicious treats.

I'm tempted to call today's blog: "A box of chocolate" because it does have a little bit of everything and each one different from the other. Come and see....

With the sun rising earlier these days, I am provided with plenty of light to begin my trek by 6:30 - the coolness in the air makes it more pleasant too. The drawback is the lack of light for my photos but that's okay too - the Green Heron greeted me as I entered the Bailey Tract.

Then I heard a beautiful song and I wasn't sure who was singing - boy oh boy - what a nice surprise!

A Louisiana Waterthrush

Even though he was behind plenty of twigs, his identity and charm brought me a lot of joy.

As the sun came up - the colors started to come alive and there is nothing better than a Northern Cardinal to brighten things up. Did you ever notice that they have pink legs?

And another singing his heart out - a Carolina Wren.

After a bit, I stepped over to the Sanibel Garden Preserves and I instantly had surround sound of Red-bellied Woodpeckers - this particular guy had a berry and was getting ready to enter his abode to share it with his little brood.

Around the corner I could hear quite a raucous, so I followed the sounds unto the path less traveled and came face to face to an orchestra of Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, Tricolored Herons and Great Blue Herons too.

I was tempted to crop this photo to remove my shadow but I would have lost the feel within this vista - so, it stays.

Here's an interesting pair - A Great Egret with yellow bill and black feet, and a Snowy Egret with a black bill and yellow feet.

This is the other portion of that body of water - I could have used a panoramic setting to get it all in....if I had one that is.

The Great Egret investing time in its precious feathers.

An immature Little Blue Heron. In its juvenile state it is totally white and when it becomes an adult it will be totally blue. I like this in-between stage with the white and blue feathers - quite a striking effect.

After a bit, I returned to the trail and found this Black-crowned Night Heron resting in the mangroves....

soon to get some shut eyed.

A pair of Mourning Dove.

The pond by the tower had a duck -most likely an hybrid because none of his traits fits any of the ducks that I know.

Notice how dark his head is and the olive bill.

I lightened this one heavily to demonstrate its features up close.

As I step back onto the Bailey Tract, I got amused by this Black-necked Stilt and his body movements....a hip opener, my yoga teacher would say.

Why did the turtle cross the streets?

The grass was much greener on the other side, of course.

One of many Green Herons that I've encountered today - this one is getting ready to have a meal.

I started my trek with a song and it looks like it is ending the same way - not a bad day!

Happy Birding!