It had been a week since my last visit at the Sanibel Garden Preserve and the Bailey Tract and I felt the need to be in a peaceful place this morning - while visiting my feathered friends, it was a nice surprise to see the Swallow-tailed Kites right were I saw them the last time.
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| This morning there were 10, all perched in trees - getting ready for the day. |
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| I left the Kites behind and proceeded to the pond next to the cell phone tower - this Ibis has a sweet personality - just looking at his face, I could see great character. |
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| The red face and white eye is indication that this is a breeding adult. |
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| A Cattle Egret was perched with a juvenile Ibis and an Anhinga. |
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| The Belted Kingfisher shrill was heard and I soon spotted him as he landed on the top of this dead branch - sweet spot for me to study him. |
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| I soon made it back to the beginning of the trail and was surprised to see that the Kites were still here. |
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| This is where I stood - as evident in my shadow - while observing the Kites. |
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| Interesting to see them perching within those branches. |
My E-Bird List for the Garden Preserve http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17868791
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| I made my way across to the Bailey Tract - one of the Black-necked Stilt pair was busy feeding along the Middle Dike. |
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| Then I spotted what I thought was a Kestrel and wondered why it was still around - however - when I got home and put the pics on my PC, I realized that I had been looking at a Merlin. |
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| This male Common Ground-Dove was busy foraging the open ground. |
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| Then I looked up when I heard the sound of the Red-eyed Vireo. |
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| Boy! Was I pleasantly surprised to see that I've finally capture the "red" eye - sweet. |
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| Eastern Kingbird came over for a visit along the Airplane Canal. |
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| The wild flowers are plentiful and change with the season - this fresh clump of Southern Fleabane was appealing to the eye and happens to bloom year around in south Florida. |
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| The Merlin was still around. |
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| The Great Blue Heron flew over my head and landed on a tall branch by the Smith Pond. |
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| This position reminded me of families of Great Blue Herons that I have seen nesting over the past few months. |
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| Off he went - deeper into the vegetation....not a small feat for such a big bird. |
I was glad that I chose to spend time there this morning - it was soothing and rejuvenating to my soul. My E-bird List for the Bailey Tract http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17868846
