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.

Bunche Beach - San-Cap Audubon Bird walk

A little bird told me that the San-Cap Audubon was having their weekly bird walk this morning and Bunche Beach was the destination - after looking at the tide chart and the clear weather window, I decided to make the trek over the causeway.

As soon as I step on the beach I wonder why I stayed away so long.

The first spotted bird: A Spotted Sandpiper.

A Piping Plover with bands.

A Wilson Plover

A Horseshoe Crab - this crab sheds its old shell like a snake sheds its old skin.

A camera shy Black-bellied Plover.

Little groups of bird loving folks.

Jim, the president of the San-Cap Audubon group - passionately involved in conversation.

A Marbled Godwit

I'm soaking in the view while....

this Wilson Plover watches over.

I made it to the far east end of the beach hoping to catch sight of the Whimbrel - maybe better luck next time.

Some little chatter was taking place behind me...

a trio of Dunlins.

On my way back - a few Least Sandpipers are scrambling by - one of the smallest sandpiper.

Another banded Piping Plover

In addition to the bands an orange flag is visible from the side view.

A Willet with a fresh crab - the Willet was wise to fly away from the others so that he could enjoy his prized catch.

Some Red Knots made an appearance -this one has a green flag and a silver band.

A Snowy Egret actively feeding - check out how the yellow feet match the yellow lore.

One of those funny unplanned photo - a Tricolored Heron seemingly holding a Least Sandpiper in the crook of its neck.

The Causeway that leads to Sanibel Island.

In my line of sight - the white morph of the Reddish Egret.

A Marbled Godwit eating a worm.

Some guy in a plane that came low enough to cause the birds to take up flight...

The birds came back to resume their hard work of feeding and preening.....and on that note....I think it's time for me to get a bite to eat and clean up too.

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.