A revisit to Rotary Park

The high gusty winds are staying in our area which makes it conducive for the birds to stay a bit longer before continuing their migration journey - another visit to the Rotary Park sounded like a good plan - we were not disappointed.

I felt very lucky to be able to observe a Gray-cheeked Thrush - this is certainly not a daily occurrence by any means.

And another lucky strike - a House Wren right out in the open - giving us ample ooh-aah opportunities.

Except for the hummingbird - this may very well be the next smallest bird there is - A Northern Parula.

A dwarf Poinciana in bloom.

Of course a visit to the Butterfly garden is always in order when you visit the Rotary Park. Lucky for us, we witnessed a Giant Swallowtail laying her eggs...

look closely and you'll see her eggs on some of the leaves.

This Coontie plant is home to the Atala's larva.

The Atala Butterfly.

I'd venture to say that this was a beautiful day in every way - I am blessed.

 

Migrants!

A lot of good reports were coming in about Rotary Park in Cape Coral and all the cards fell into place, Elaine and I ended up there this morning - a great idea!

We arrived early and the place was already abuzz with warblers, come and take a look....

A female Summer Tanager

A Downy woodpecker came around too.

Black-throated Blue Warbler - a male.

Another Summer Tanager

An Eastern Wood-Pewee

American Redstart - how lucky to have him sitting long enough for a photo.

A Yellow-throated Warbler.

A Black-and-white Warbler.

 

A Palm Warbler - they have arrived and they are everywhere - and I love it.

 

So, if you get a chance - take it. Check my list - which would have been bigger if I didn't have to leave early.

Cape Coral with the Caloosa Bird Club

It's Monday - and guess what day this is? Well, it's Caloosa Bird Club day - the best way to start the week. It's very humid and cloudy this morning with warnings of rain/thunderstorms later, I'm hoping it happens after my bird trip.

Well, let's get the show on the road - today's destination: Cape Coral....let's go....

Our meeting place: Rotary Park - very first sighting...

Pink Flamingos - this is promising.

In the distance we heard the shrill of the Red-shouldered Hawk, several were spotted.

Several Blue-winged Teals were observed.

Some Penguins too :) on one of our leader's shirt, that is.

The Caloosa President assessing the situation..."Hello Sheila!"

A Mottled Duck - most likely an hybrid of some sort considering the dark plumage and bill.

A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - a female - shown by the white throat.

Then we were off to the next stop - the Pelican Ballfield where we had the opportunity to watch some Burrowing Owls, sweet!

Then we were off to Jaycee Park along the Caloosahatchee River - we could see several 'rafts' of Lesser Scaup in the distance.....

Here's a close up. Other than the Scaups, we also noted some Red-breasted Mergansers and a loon in the distance.

 

It started to sprinkle a bit and the air was heavy with humidity but the water was calm and almost glassy.

A little break while enjoying the vista before we raised our necks and watched the warblers in the Pine Trees - many Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers were seen.

We returned to the Rotary Park to have lunch and do our bird list, on our way to the parking lot we spotted the Monk Parakeets....

now, this burst of color made my day.

My kind and gentle friend Elaine.

Elaine, took me for a quick visit in her back yard where we observed some Gadwalls.... the male above and the female below.

One of the Mottled Duck in her pond - mallard? Look at the feathers - blue and green on the wing.

Well, all good things come to an end or close to it....had to stop on the causeway to check, here a Sanderling

a Ring-billed Gull

and...take a look at this one....yellowish eyes...

yellowish legs...

look at the size and how it towers over the Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls - especially look at the wings and the color on the tips

and here's a better view of the bill with a large reddish spot

care to guess what my name is.....I am a Lesser Black-backed Gull.