Home stretch - recap

Migration is winding down and we're on the home stretch now - I had the opportunity to go to the Lighthouse and to travel through Ding Darling in search of the latest migrants, this year we are not seeing the birds in great numbers which, in essence, means the birds are finding some favorable conditions for traveling north - we wish them well. 

One exception though was seeing the Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks by the dozen - that was quite exciting and OH! what eye candy they are.

A Yellow-crowned Night Heron probably wondered what the fuss was all about - however it paid us no mind and went about its feeding business.

The Scarlet Tanager on the other hand truly stole the show!

I found another along the Shell Mound and this one was sound asleep and all tucked in behind 1000s sticks, it was probably exhausted from the trip and needed some rest before resuming its journey.

Another visit to the Lighthouse and this time we found a female Scarlet Tanager....

a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and....

a few males around the corner - they were not so generous with us and kept hidden for the most part.

This morning I returned to my ole stomping ground - the Bailey Tract - where I observed several Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings.

Of course the regulars came into play too and it was most enjoyable to watch this Mottled Duck family come straight toward me - I stood still so as not to spook them and they walked right by me.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker caught my attention when the sawdust started to fly around.

Along the edge of the Sanibel River several gators were seen getting their sun rituals, I pointed them out to the visitors and they were quite delighted to see them.

Around the corner a Black-necked Stilt was spotted on the nest, soon we will have little chicks walking around.

Those Stilts are just so elegant looking.

As I was heading out a group of Least Sandpipers landed along the island within the Ani Pond - sweet! This day at the Bailey Tract this morning turned out to be a fantastic spree - I tallied up 56 species - a record for me at this location. See my E-bird List for today.

Bunche Beach - San-Cap Audubon Bird walk

A little bird told me that the San-Cap Audubon was having their weekly bird walk this morning and Bunche Beach was the destination - after looking at the tide chart and the clear weather window, I decided to make the trek over the causeway.

As soon as I step on the beach I wonder why I stayed away so long.

The first spotted bird: A Spotted Sandpiper.

A Piping Plover with bands.

A Wilson Plover

A Horseshoe Crab - this crab sheds its old shell like a snake sheds its old skin.

A camera shy Black-bellied Plover.

Little groups of bird loving folks.

Jim, the president of the San-Cap Audubon group - passionately involved in conversation.

A Marbled Godwit

I'm soaking in the view while....

this Wilson Plover watches over.

I made it to the far east end of the beach hoping to catch sight of the Whimbrel - maybe better luck next time.

Some little chatter was taking place behind me...

a trio of Dunlins.

On my way back - a few Least Sandpipers are scrambling by - one of the smallest sandpiper.

Another banded Piping Plover

In addition to the bands an orange flag is visible from the side view.

A Willet with a fresh crab - the Willet was wise to fly away from the others so that he could enjoy his prized catch.

Some Red Knots made an appearance -this one has a green flag and a silver band.

A Snowy Egret actively feeding - check out how the yellow feet match the yellow lore.

One of those funny unplanned photo - a Tricolored Heron seemingly holding a Least Sandpiper in the crook of its neck.

The Causeway that leads to Sanibel Island.

In my line of sight - the white morph of the Reddish Egret.

A Marbled Godwit eating a worm.

Some guy in a plane that came low enough to cause the birds to take up flight...

The birds came back to resume their hard work of feeding and preening.....and on that note....I think it's time for me to get a bite to eat and clean up too.

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.