Harn's Marsh with the Caloosa Bird Club

It's Monday and today's destination: Harn's Marsh which is located in Lehigh Acres. I haven't been there in several months and I was really happy to have the opportunity to visit with the group.

My breath is always taken away when I arrive and take in the vast expanse before me - what's not to love.

The closest pond from the parking lot - across the way the vultures can be seen perched atop the trees....

Turkey and Black Vultures.

And the Sandhill Crane families - always fun to come across them, listen to them and watch them as they fly off.

Come fall and winter time - the ducks start to arrive and make the Marsh their home for the season.

Some of the ducks are further and hidden between the reeds along the many water channels that exist within the Harn's Marsh.

A nice find today: A Redhead Duck.

Harn's Marsh is a 4 mile loop and if you travel toward the back portion of it, often times you'll find shorebirds just like these 3 Least Sandpipers.

Snail Kites were in big numbers today - we saw at least 5 of them throughout the Marsh.

An odd sighting of what appears to be a Boat-tailed Grackle with most of its tail feathers missing and a lot of white feathers.

After leaving the Marsh - we went for lunch and on the way home we checked a few key spots - such as North River Road where Red-headed Woodpeckers can be found.

Across the way a Cow taking care of her calf.

Once again - a great birding event with the group as well as beautiful Florida weather - it doesn't get much better than that. My E-Bird list for the Harn's Marsh.

Harn's Marsh

An opportunity came up to visit Harn's Marsh and some vicinity - how could I pass that up?? I made my 'wish list', got my map and itinerary together and picked up Elaine. Our first "wanna" see specie was a Bobwhite - off we went.

We searched high and low, up and down several streets and hoped for the best - the Bobwhite were a no show - instead we were treated to several.....

American Robins. For me this is a special treat because I don't get to see them very often. My E-Bird List for that particular location.

 Shortly after, we arrived at Harn's Marsh.

A Palm Warbler welcomed us by the gate.

Several Limpkins were seen, some of them fighting for their own personal space.

Several ducks, like this Ring-necked, take the Harns Marsh as home for the winter.

Several Savannah Sparrows were busy feeding and pruning - I was blessed with many clear views. I enjoy seeing Sparrows - also a specie that I don't see very often.

Tree Swallows were having a feast of a breakfast this morning - how fun!

Isn't that Savannah precious?

Sandhill Cranes were heard and seen - look how well they blend in.

Here's the shot that I missed - the Sandhill Cranes were coming right at us and I didn't have enough time to react until they were above our heads - maybe next time.

A nice mix of birds here - all sharing the same fish hole.

Here's a Glossy Ibis.

A Pretty "Great Southern White" butterfly finding plenty of nectar.

A pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks watching us as we exit the area.....

All good things must come to an end - and it was time to head home. My E-Bird List for Harns Marsh.

Harns Marsh with the Caloosa Bird Club

It had been 4 months since my last visit at Harns Marsh - way too long. We got an early start today with the hopes of seeing a King Rail that has been reported to have been there, a few folks from the club heard it but no one saw it. However as birding goes, there is never a bad day while birding and today was no exception, come along and see.

The sun was about to rise and we could see many ducks species - a few Ring-necked Ducks are always a pretty sight.

A few Sandhill Cranes flew overhead while belting out their lovely chorus.

The star of the day - a Snail Kite. He gave us some great looks while he flew and dove down for succulent snails which he carried off to a nearby snag where he savored his hard earned meal.

What a nice pair of Ring-necked Duck.

A female Snail Kite produced a lively conversation while some of us wondered whether it was a Harrier or not - our books and bird apps came in handy for comparison.

A Cattle Egret - the smallest in the Egret family coming in at 20".

Harns Marsh is usually only opened for foot traffic, the club made previous arrangements for us to be able to drive through - it is a 4 mile loop. We combined people in cars and caravan our way through while stopping several times for ample observation. A scope is highly recommended for good views.

A pair of Sandhill Cranes with two White Ibis and a Cattle Egret.

Along the outer edge of Harns Marsh - some private properties and several horses were observed as well. We were hoping to find the Red-headed Woodpecker which has been seen in the past but today they were nowhere to be found.

More chorus going on - I love these guys.

A Lesser Yellowleg, a Killdeer, A Least Sandpiper and a Western Sandpiper - what a nice variety!

A Glossy Ibis - beautiful in person but difficult to photograph.

On the way home we made a quick stop at a member's house, these folks have been setting up bird feeders for years and they are rewarded with yearly returns of beautiful Painted Buntings and American Goldfinch.

And this, folks, conclude the birding trip for today....stay tune for more :). My E-Bird List for today at Harns Marsh http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20660904

Sorry I can't share where I saw the American Goldfinch and Painted Buntings since it is at someone's private home.