The Bailey Tract

I found myself at the Bailey Tract quite a few times this week following a good report from Libby about a Smooth-billed Ani. Try as I may, I was not successful in my endeavor.....however....spending time birding on the trail is always a bonus, come along and see what I came across....

On my way to work and with an early start, I was able to locate an American Bittern across the water - it was quite busy and focused on its next meal.

In the distance - a Red-shouldered Hawk was drying up, unfortunately that's all the time I had, however I think it kicked start the day with a great punch!

The following morning I was there bright and early - I watched the sun rise with the hopes of being lucky and finding the Ani.

In the meantime a very vocal Belted Kingfisher was observed - talk about attitude and confidence!

Meanwhile a young Little Blue Heron was enjoying a foot bath nearby.

A very damp Pied-billed Grebe was the king in his claimed pond.

A Great Blue Heron seemed to enjoy that sunrise as much as I did, I bid it farewell until the next time.

 

Visit at the Slough

I was fortunate to finally be able to hook up with Elaine and to be visiting the Slough once again. The boardwalk was peaceful and the sightings were special with its usual surprise elements, come along and see....

It was super fun to observe this female Belted  Kingfisher, she stayed a while and delighted us with her close proximity.

Not too far away in the dark recesses of the slough - a Black-crowned Night Heron was patiently waiting for the right morsel to come about.

The Lily Pads flowers have gone to seed.

Another encounter of the Belted Kingfisher - check that bill out!

Sometimes the color of the boardwalk will lead you to looking up and this is what you might find - a Great Blue Heron.

Another Black-crowned Night Heron - I love these guys with their bright red eyes and colorful legs.....

the three shades of grey is also special.

We bumped into Jose along the trail and he mentioned a Limpkin ahead - a very unusual sighting at this venue, most likely the snail eggs are responsible for this visit - the staple diet of this bird.

Though, if it wants to come back to this location, it better watch out for those Cottonmouth and give them lots of space.

You just never know what you'll see when you're at the Slough - in any event, it's all good and begs for more encores.

Bailey Tract

A visit to the Bailey Tract always brings nice surprises, come along and see....

My first greeter today - a young female Belted Kingfisher.

Another loud greeter - the Green Heron - this one with its crest up and its neck all stretched out - made it looked very tall.

It was soon joined by 3 others.

What a glorious beacon this Bald Eagle makes.

I have a feeling I know who these are....

sure enough, Eastern Kingbirds.

The Red Cardinal wondered what the fuss was all about.

Another look or two - what a treat to see it relatively close by.

One of two Pied-billed Grebe, my first fall sighting - welcome back!

Poor photos but it was my first time putting my camera on a Bobolink, it was quite a bit of a distance away but it sure made for a nice sign off for the day!

 

Bunche Beach - Bald Eagle day!

It is low tide and the Lee Co Bird Patrol is offering its monthly beach/bird walk. The exciting part about going birding is that you never know for sure what you will see - yet every single event seems to be better than the last, this day was no exception.....come and take a peek....

Plovers - in the back is the Piping Plover, in the front is the Semi-palmated Plover.

Overhead we heard the Bald Eagles before we saw them....landing in a far away spit of sand with the Sanibel Lighthouse in the background.

They were quite vocal.

Checking the surrounding

Getting ready

After a bit I diverted my attention to the Marbled Godwit that was by my side.

Amazing how it can sink its head to find morsels of food.

Must be worth it, check the smile on his face! Then I heard uproar from the crowd - I looked up and saw the Bald Eagles copulating.

In Eagle's world, it is quickly over and I barely  managed to get the end result.

Overhead, a Kingfisher was chattering and aiming for lunch.

 What a treat! Today was Bald Eagle day and everyone was delighted, myself included.