Birding Gator Hole, a 20/20 preserve in Lee Co.

It had been a while since I visited the Corkscrew/Alico Rd area and since I have the day off and much desire to bird - I and Libby headed out at the pre-crack of dawn....

I drove down Alico with the hopes of hearing the Whip-poor-will but had to settle for this Big Cypress Fox Squirrel - very cool!

One of the perks of being a volunteer for the Lee Co Bird Patrol is that I have access to some of the less traveled preserve such as this Gator Hole. We arrived after sunrise but the fog was still pretty thick in some patches - a common occurrence in Florida.

At the opposite end of the preserve we spotted two Wild Turkeys perched high in the trees!....not exactly where I would expect them to be.

One of many Palm Warblers seen flying in a frenzy while getting their feathers cleaned.

A few Eastern Towhee were heard before they were seen - what a beautiful male!

Many Butterflies were observed along the preserve, beside this Phaon Crescent we had Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Longwing, White Peacock and Barred Yellow.

Some moths too - beside the Rattlebox Moth we spotted this pink/orange moth and after much searching Libby found this to be a Southern Purple Mint moth.

Along the western edge of the property we noticed something down the path....

White-tailed Deer, two on the trail and 3 in the bushes - they quickly disappeared as we traveled down the path.

A Gulf Fritillary

Beautiful fauna within the preserve, don't you agree?

A very bright and yellow Palm Warbler.

One of my favorite - a Brown-headed Nuthatch.

A bright yellow flower bush going into seed.

Another beautiful butterfly that was a challenge to identify - at last it was - I introduce to you: Mallow-scrub Hairstreak - a pretty name that  does this butterfly justice.

Some of the very few remaining Aster at the Preserve - I love the pale yet bright color.

And, as all good things must come to an end - so does this adventure ..... in the meantime I'll keep a keen 'hawk'eye on things until the next time. My E-Bird List for today.

Owls, frogs, crayfish - oh my!

What a beautiful morning this was - early enough so that it felt comfortable, light enough to see where I was going.

On my way to the Bailey Tract I encountered a few rain puddles and in one of them was a Screech Owl taking a bath - I wish it had been light enough to catch this treasure in a photo because it truly was a sweet sight. Shortly after I arrived at the trail and I was instantly greeted by a chorus of frogs - quite impressive....I love this time of the year - sure it's summer and it's hot but it sure holds plenty of surprises....come along and see.....

now, how do you like that? A Crayfish at the Bailey Tract (my first sighting at this location)! I watched it for a while and wondered why it kept its tail curved under and thought that perhaps it had been injured once upon a time - ha! - was I in for a surprise when I put the photo on my computer and realized that she was loaded with eggs! I read up on it and found that reproduction usually happens in the spring, sexual maturity is reached when crayfish are between 5 and 8 years old. During mating, the male deposits the sperm and guides it into the sperm receptacle of the female. After fertilization, the eggs remain attached to the mother's swimming appendages for anywhere from 2 to 20 weeks. Newly hatched young remain attached to the mother for several days more through a stalk. They shed their outer layer and lose their stalked connection with their mother. Still, they remain attached by clinging to her for up to 2 weeks. They eventually leave the mother temporarily and eventually leave permanently. Maturity is reached after they have shed their outer layer 6 to 10 times. Upon leaving the mother, they begin their adult life. Pretty interesting stuff!

After my frogs & crayfish fascination - I walked into the Bailey Tract and was greeted by the usual local resident - the Great Egret in the Ani Pond.

I walked through and headed to the Sanibel Garden Preserve to check on the Swallow-tailed Kites and I was not disappointed.....look how many were still roosting!

A very young gator was nearby - about a foot long at the most.

I walked another mile and found more views of the Swallow-tailed Kites....

just in time to see some of them take flight

while others watched.

I then ventured into a new trail and decided to

name it: The Cassia Lane.

After a bit I started my way back, I had to stop and admire this White Peacock butterfly - this particular one seemed to sport more blue hues than usual.

Several Mottled Ducks were spotted - obviously the young ones have now grown to full size.

A young Little Blue Heron - calico fashion.

A Green Heron right out in the open - perhaps he thought I might lead it to some crayfish.

One of the early shorebird arrival: A Spotted Sandpiper - no longer in breeding plumage - so no spots left.

On my way out  I searched for those singing frogs and I finally was able to see a couple...

some were more active....

than others. A great morning from top to bottom!

Bailey on Sunday

My home away from home is definitely the Bailey Tract - as soon as I set foot on the trail, it just feels right and today was no exception. I had a great time listening to all the songs surrounding me....the chuck-will's-widow for one and the Common Yellow-throat - oh, how I love his spring tune.

I was glad that I had enough light to see him.

The sun is coming up and my favorite color is aglow.

Along the Middle Dike, the Common Gallinule family was awake and ready for the day.

Oh my! What a nice surprise! An American Bittern in the tall reeds - somewhat blending in with its surrounding...

I was far enough away to observe it without disturbing it. I later reported my bird list to e-bird and I was surprised to get a 'rare' box, supposedly this fellow should have left to northern grounds by now.

Not too far away, a Prairie Warbler alerted me to its presence by singing - what a bright sunshine they are!

A skip over to the Sanibel Garden Preserve provided me with great views of the Swallow-tailed Kites.

How lovely to have them sitting still and preening away!

And here's another sweet surprise - a Cape May Warbler in its breeding plumage - most likely on its way north.

And the lovely Killdeer family - sweet!

I was going to delete this photo until I saw the smiley face - do you see it?

I'm smiling as I look at these Sabatia and thinking about my friend Elaine Jacobson, her spirit lives on.

A Dragonfly hanging on and seemingly floating in the golden air.

Peek-a-boo from a Common Buckeye

A lovely Peacock Butterfly stealing the 'star' show.

My last sighting - a Blackpoll along the Bailey Tract - a nice treat that will go on my 'Bailey' list. Another great outing - now I'm ready to face the day.