Ole stomping ground

It is good to reconnect to my field roots - it brings me peace and serenity and right now I need it in addition to food and water in order to survive, come along and see how relaxing the Bailey Tract and its surrounding can be - especially first thing in the morning....

I've seen many Marsh Rabbits along the trails of the Bailey Tract - however they are usually down on all fours while chewing on grass and not standing tall like it is here.

Of course a customary look at the Magic Tree is in order and it did not disappoint - A Cardinal and a Great Crested Flycatcher stood alert while the Pileated Woodpecker whizzed on by.

I know that the Cardinal is a common sight but what's not to love about this scarlet coat and black mask!

A Red-bellied Woodpecker in his Tree House - well truth be told - it's actually a Christmas Vine and it surely caught my attention.

Shocked!! This is not something that I've seen before - a river Otter walking away with its soft shell turtle - who knew they ate turtle too!

This one made me sad - let me explain....the Anhinga has sharp teeth along its bill and they all point toward the throat - it's perfect for flipping a fish down the hatch after stabbing it however if they try to eat fish that hang around docks with ropes - the Anhinga is bound to get some rope stuck around its bill....luckily for this guy he's figuring out how to eat his fish by bringing it to shore, stabbing it repeatedly and somehow swallows bits and pieces....sometimes life hands you lemons, the trick is to learn how to make lemonade out of it.

Green Herons are everywhere now - it also coincides with nesting and raising young ones - in a few months they'll be harder to spot.

Here's another view of my challenged Anhinga - on the left is a gator.

See what I mean, the rope material is blocking the hatch.

A very young soft-shell turtle floating lazily among the fishes.

The Black-necked Stilts were happily foraging while the parents kept a close eye for protection.

They grow up so quickly and before we know it they'll be going south by the end of July/August and won't returned until March.

The Common Ground Dove - our smallest dove.

A Little Blue Heron in its Calico phase - by next year it'll be all blue.

A young Tricolored Heron was nearby too....

and then they crossed paths.

And this is just what the doctor ordered because while I watch nature unfold before my eyes there is no room for anything else.....until the next time.

 

Sunday at the Bailey Tract

I love this time of the year - and at the present we are having beautiful balmy and sunny weather - what's not to love. It started with a bit of fog and it warmed up in no time at all - the trail is void of folks and the birds are waking up, " Let's go!"

The Yellow-rumped Warblers were in great numbers this morning and filled with hyper energy as they zipped by.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were also eager to fill their belly.

There was over two dozen Blue-winged Teals and they were chatting away - they sure were entertaining.

After being seemingly out of sight for a few weeks, the Common Ground Doves have returned and they are feeding along the trails.

The Red Cardinals have become quite melodious and are entertaining to listen and watch.

Several Palm Warblers were observed too - they were feeding heartily - soon they will go back to their breeding grounds.

At least the Mottled Ducks will stay and have their families.

This Tricolored Heron begs for a quirky quote.

Here's a great example of how important it is to learn the bird by shape (Grey Catbird) - especially when it is in a dark recessed corner.

There's something to be said about sunny days and how the colors perk me up.

A young Little Blue Heron was quite focused on getting something else to eat.

A skip over to the Sanibel Garden Preserve provided me with great views of a Kestrel and

an Eastern Phoebe, what a great way to end the day!

This week's sightings at the Bailey Tract

A few free hours - a beautiful sunny day and the Bailey Tract is calling - I'm a happy gal! Come along and visit with me.....

I think it's a bonus when the moon is still up and the sun is rising, don't you agree?

A dozen of Black Skimmers flew by, the rising sun is giving them a honey glow.

An Anhinga flew by and landed in the mangroves - funny how its head looks so small on that body.

The usual Tricolored Heron in its regular spot.

A beautiful quiet vista - I could hear all the birds - what a soothing symphony!

The Palm Warblers are back in town and we welcome them with great pleasure.

A female Common Yellowthroat playing Peek-a-Boo.

The Common Ground Doves are common all right but seeing 6 on the path was an unusual sight for me.

Being the smallest Dove - they sure are precious.

One of several Ospreys that I saw today.

Another regular - the Little Blue Heron.

The Pied-billed Grebes have arrived for the winter too - this particular one is a Juvenile, soon to be morphing into adult plumage.

"Welcome to the Bailey Tract little fellow - I hope that you'll make this your winter home from now on."

And this concludes my visit today, another winner if you ask me.

Foggy a.m. at Ding to sunny p.m. at the beach

After my yoga session this morning, I made my way to the Wildlife Drive at Ding Darling since it was still early morning and the tide is expected to be low - the air however is filled with humidity/fog/clouds but what better place to be when the weather is iffy!

The first pond along the drive provided great looks of this Red-breasted Merganser. I originally thought it was a female but turns out the first year male looks very - very - similar. One of the clue is a dash of white by the 'gape' - information was provided by Lillian Stokes - Thanks Lillian!

A Little Blue Heron was hunkered down by the mangroves - staying warm and resting.

One of several White Pelicans - gently floating almost "swan" like.

A short stroll along the Caloosa Shell Mound Trail brought me just below this nest where a pair of Osprey was mating - quickly I turned my camera on, aimed and POUF! before I even pressed the shutter they were done.....the male left right after, leaving the female gazing peacefully.

In the afternoon the sun came out, so I decided to take a break from house cleaning and headed down to the beach. A pair of Bald Eagle were seen soaring and scouting the beach.....

Here's the reaction you get when that happens.

By the vegetation, a Black-bellied Plover.

Hunkered down, a Snowy Plover is well camouflaged...

and so are the Ruddy Turnstones.

While watching my surroundings, a Lesser Black-backed Gull landed - sweet!

Back to the Snowy Plovers.....oh! wait a minute....

It seems we have a Piping Plover here equipped with colorful bands.

Many more Plovers were spotted - I counted 11 Snowy Plovers and 2 Piping Plovers.

On my way to retrieve my bike, a Common Ground Dove bid me farewell. A lovely day - I have been blessed!