Coming and going

Spring season brings about many changes, my winter friends are heading to their northern homes, the birds that have been here for several months are leaving toward their nesting grounds - in the meantime we have birds that are passing through and some that have arrived and are now nesting. Having said that - I've been spending more time locally and I'm sharing with you what I've seen the past couple of days....

A female Painted Bunting at the Shell Mound in Ding Darling, as well as....

a Blackpoll Warbler and....

a Black-throated Blue Warbler, sweet! While I was walking the boardwalk I met some folks and one gal shared some info about a Chuck-will-widow. This was quite a good tip to come across as I've never seen one - so, off I went to observe this camouflaged fellow....

I can see why it would be difficult to find when it is on the ground....

surrounded by dark twigs/foliage etc. I limited the amount of time greatly as I didn't want to distress the bird.

This morning I found myself along the beach with the moon glow in my back and the sun rising to the east. A Mottled Duck came in for a landing but missed a bit - hence the sand on its breast.

I think it's going to be another great day!

The Snowy Plovers were up already and busily feeding along the shoreline.

This one was resting along the whelk egg cases - blending in quite well too.

Its mate wasn't too far away.

My second stop today took me at the Lighthouse where I set my eyes on a beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird - wow on its red throat!

Not too far in the parking lot, we found a Painted Box Turtle - what interesting design on its shell!

By the Lighthouse a Grey Kingbird was chasing insects and returning to this twig to eat it.

Around the corner a Gopher Tortoise was getting ready to return to its borrow.

Another beautiful view of that Ruby-throated Hummingbird, I'm blessed today.

The Magnificent Frigatebird sealed the day.

 

Bits and pieces

Sea Turtle Season is once again upon us and I've been busy with meetings and getting things ready - something that I love to do and I've had to rearrange my schedule and my birding time has changed some. Don't get me wrong, I can't stay away from birding but I also can't be spending as much time as I am accustomed to. In as much - I've gathered up the little bits of pieces of this past week - so come along and see what came down my neck of the woods.....

A visit along the Indigo Trail at Ding Darling brought me to observe this Yellow-crowned Night Heron which has been trying to nest - the first nest was destroyed by an Anhinga and now the YCNH is rebuilding.

The Green Herons were plentiful - check the breeding colors on these legs!

One Green Heron nest being tended to.

 

This weekend I found myself around Island Inn Rd area in Sanibel - a Red-shouldered Hawk was really glowing in the early morning light.

A Marsh Rabbit - did you know that rabbit can swim! Marsh Rabbit are especially good at it.

It also blends very well in this particular spot.

A young family of Killdeer was really sweet to discover - I wish I could spend more time with them but they were quite distraught for the short few minutes that I was there.

I knew too that all that raucous would alert some predators - so I quickly retreated.

and so did one of the little ones....

"now you see me.....

now you don't."

A Swallow-tailed Kite was seen gathering some nesting material.

And who do you think is deep within this cavity?

If you guessed Common Grackle, then you were right on.

More Swallow-tailed Kites seen in that area.

A beautiful Cape May Warbler in the tree top - talk about eye candy!

A Gopher Tortoise was checking things out by the Lighthouse.

Check the dewlap on this Anole!

A Native Green Anole - we don't see those very often.

An Eastern Kingbird by the Lighthouse - check the white band at the end of the tail, always a good clue for i.d.

 

Along the Shell Mound Trail - a young White Ibis is holding down the fort - king of the sticks.

A pair of Screech Owl was well hidden from prying eyes, can you find them? I hope you are getting out there and finding some treasures of your own - life is short - go outside!

A quick beach getaway

I live one mile from the beach and I hadn't been there in the past 3 weeks - I was way due for a visit.

The little peeps today consisted mainly of Sanderlings - this one was feeding on an Urchin

A Lesser Black-backed Gull found pieces of fish among the sea debris.

Sadly, a view of the water released from Lake O - every time we have excess rain it is released down the river which trickles down our way - the water turns brown and affects the sea grass - which affects the sea life....it's a domino effect of the worst kind.

And I don't like it one bit.

A walk along the Lighthouse brought me face to face with a Gopher Tortoise on the edge of its burrow.

I believe he smiled for the camera.

I've yet to see juvenile Gopher - I look forward to that day, should I ever be so blessed.

A Mourning Dove paid a visit to the Gopher's stomping ground.

Found within the beach debris - what appears to be a Common Loon....it most likely perished from the red tide we had recently.

Facing the cool wind was a nice mixture - can you i.d. each one? From left to right: A Ring-billed Gull, a Willet, a Black Skimmer and a Royal Tern.

Several Ring-billed Gulls and Royal Terns and a phrase that comes to mind....I believe I'll rest my case.