Bushwalking-n-birding

There has been several reports about a nice assortment of ducks/birds being seen at the Estero Preserve on the north side, so Elaine and I got ready for the trek - armed with mosquito head net, water boots, long pants and long sleeve shirts. I opted to carry my scope and a backpack with my bird book and a couple bottle of water and I swear that my scope and book doubled in size on the way back.

The trek was quite a challenge, the terrain at first was quite uneven which soon became mud and then water - ok, so far so good. Then we ventured toward the north - following a map/satellite on my IPhone - but it was no easy feat since there were no visible paths as we walked in hip high sedge. The sun was about to rise with an orange glow in the horizon 

just breath-taking for a brief moment and then the fog rolled in as we watched at our 'pond' location, my scope fogged up and we could barely make out what was 100 yards away.

My friend Elaine - she's quite a trooper and always willing to try new adventures with me - I am lucky to know her.

A Blue Crab was lurking below the surface of the water - ready to clasp whatever came too close to it.

The Short-billed Dowitchers took flight when the Northern Harrier came whizzing by.

When the fog was still pretty thick, it gave me a black-and-white effect....

 Then the sun burned the fog up and the American Avocet beautiful plumage came through. I didn't take many photos today but did admire through my scope - see my E-bird List for today. It was a great day combined with an aerobic exercise and I hate to admit that this was the first time that I actually felt my real age - getting older is not for sissies, that's for sure.

American Flamingo

An American Flamingo has been making fleeting appearances in our area since this past summer and I've been out looking for it. This past Thursday a Flamingo made a landing at Bunche Beach Preserve and when I got word I had just arrived home battling the famous traffic that plagues the island - so I hoped that it would hang around. On Friday morning it made a short appearance which I missed - so this morning, with high hopes, I showed up at Bunche hoping to catch it in some nook/cranny seeking shelter from the strong winds.

Several Dunlins were trying to hunker down and stay warm.

The Spotted Sandpiper had the best spot - totally sheltered and away from people. Well, after being blown around for a couple of hours and with no signs of the Flamingo - we figured that we would call it quits. I headed home and as I worked hard at keeping my car steady as I climbed the Causeway, I wondered how much stronger the winds would need to be before they closed it. Anyway, got home, started eating my husband's famous Buckwheat Pancakes while logging on to FB and OH My God!! The F bird is now there! I barely finished my food and out the door I was. It was probably one of my longest drive across the causeway...praying/hoping that it would still be there when I arrived.

And there it was - what a beautiful bird!

The American flamingo is found in Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is also occasionally seen in Florida and along the Gulf Coast as a vagrant. The American flamingo doesn't breed in the United States. The American flamingo was once considered to be the same species as the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) found in Africa, Asia and parts of southern Europe, but it is now considered a separate species. It is the only flamingo species found in North America.(nhptv.org)

I was standing on the edge of the water and trying as hard as I could to stay steady on my feet while taking photos.

And there it is standing sideways - how in the world does it do that? I am being blown away and I'm much bigger than he is.

The winds today are from the NW at 39 + mph, there is also a high surf advisory in effect until 4a.m. Sunday. Strong onshore winds continue today, producing dangerous surf and deadly rip currents...this bird is brave!

After getting tired of being whipped around, I decided to step back and sought small shelter from the wind.

Thanks to my Canon SX50 - I'm able to zoom in and get decent photos without bothering the bird.

I guess my vintage point was pretty good because

I soon lost it.

Once I moved I was able to re-connect with the bird.

Near me - a Piping Plover - he too could barely stand.

And a beautiful Blue Crab was by my feet.

Well, beautiful American Flamingo - thank you for coming back and letting me get good looks. I hope others will have a chance to see it too.

Ding Darling - Early morning low tide

It's early, it's 7a.m. and the gates open for the Wildlife Drive at Ding Darling. First sighting - several Yellow-crowned Night Heron - the sun is just above the horizon.

Beautiful colors on the Brown Pelicans in the morning light.

White Pelicans were busy keeping their feathers in tip-top shape.

This was a typical sight this morning everywhere along the Wildlife Drive - hundreds upon hundreds of bird species....Little Blue, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, White Ibis, White Pelicans and Tri-colored Heron can be seen in this shot.

Are you looking at me?

In the thick of the mangroves - hundred of White Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Tri-colored Heron could be seen and especially heard.

YUM! I love shrimps.

I think I'll get me another.

The Blue Crab was watching the feeding frenzy and staying put without moving a claw.

Guess whose feet these are? If you said Snowy Egret - you got the prize.

I like to think of the Snowy Egret as wearing yellow slippers.

Where did the sun go? All of a sudden - a dense fog seems to hover over the wildlife drive. But wait?? What do we have here - a River Otter blending in the background, almost unnoticed.

Roseate Spoonbills making their first appearance this morning.

Flying over the Tower and heading to the sand/mud dunes.

Joining in with the others and taking advantage of the low tide.

Off to another little island - commotion could be heard.....this Laughing Gull was pretty territorial.

Oh, I see now that the White Ibis has a nice tasty morsel and since he's in Seagull territory - he's getting to hear about it....even the Ring-billed joined in.

The White Ibis got smart and made its departure.

"Geeze, okay.....I'm outta here."

Time to go to the ocean and get some diving in going.

All in all, it was a fantastic day with the 37 species that I saw and I can easily say that if I didn't have another engagement to go to, I would have spent another 2 hours and would have been able to see all the others that were present.

My E-Bird List