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!

Wilson Snipe & Gator surprise

A foggy morning greeted me at the Bailey Tract - I tend to enjoy those because they provide me with a state of serenity....and off I go.....come along and join me....

Do you see what I mean - can you feel it too?

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawk were quite vocal though and it made it easy to find them.

A quick skip over to the Sanibel Garden preserve rewarded me with great open views of a Wilson Snipe....

did you ever notice that the tail is coral in color?

Soon after a little Eastern Phoebe puffed and posed for a quick photo - thank you!

Back at the Bailey Tract - several Mottled Ducks are gathering up, some were quacking away and others were preening their beautiful feathers.

A fairly large Gator was spotted from across the pond - probably hoping for the sun to warm it up.

Side by side - a Common Grackle and a Yellow-rumped Warbler - a fun opportunity for size comparison.

A closer inspection of the Gator showed a satisfactory grin with the restful spot.

On my way out - a Gray Catbird looked at me and I thought to myself "How fortunate to be able to see so many species today right out in the open!" I shall keep alert for what comes next.

At the Bailey Tract

It is good to be here! I finally had a free day to go birding and I truly enjoyed my morning....several birds were out and I had the opportunity to marvel  at the warblers and their feeding frenzy - the Yellow-rumped were in great numbers and so were the Tree Swallows. In the meantime I captured this Gray Catbird who stood out in the open.

A lovely Tricolored Heron stood still - perhaps pretending to be part of those stumps.

Some Prairies and Northern Parulas were amongst the Yellow-rumped today - making it fun to watch.

This makes an interesting pair, don't you think?

Our last capture today was this green bee who was gathering pollen from this Thistle which was quite visible as it built up on its hind legs.....so much work and so little time.

A foggy Pond Apple

You know it's winter in S.W. Florida when you get up most every morning and it is as foggy as can be....that does not deter me from venturing out and this morning I headed to the Pond Apple Trail.

My first sighting along the retention pond was a pair of Black-crowned Night Heron.

Singing happily was this Eastern Phoebe.

From the retention ponds I took a long leisurely walk to the Chamber of Commerce - atop a dead snag covered in poison ivy a Snowy Egret shares the space with a Tricolored Heron.

One of the three Kestrels that I saw this morning.

Back to the retention ponds - a Brown Pelican welcomes me back.

In the last hour the birds have started to arrive in drove - a Yellow-rumped Warbler is waking up and feeding happily.

A focused Great Blue Heron

One of the three Green Heron - sitting and taking the view in.

Another Black-crowned Night Heron....

and another - I don't ever recall seeing so many at this location.

A Wood Stork

A Cattle Egret

Behind this Cormorant a Wilson Snipe and a Killdeer can be seen.

I've been here for two hours and the fog seems to want to linger a bit.

A beautiful corner to observe wildlife as it unfolds.

A Catbird - one of many that were seen and heard this morning. This turned out to be a lovely morning with 41 species - My E-Bird List.