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.

Across Lehigh Acres

Today I opted to join my friend Elaine in order to explore some more areas in Lehigh Acres. Our plan was to revisit Harns Marsh first, however with the heavy fog and 50 degree temps we decided to check 12th St - as per recommendation of Bob Pelky - a fellow birder/photographer/blogger. With big hopes to find Bobwhites and Red-headed Woodpecker - we proceeded forward....

Right off we spotted several White-winged Doves and then saw a

female Belted Kingfisher. The rest of the area was pretty quiet even though it seems to be perfect habitat for many species. (note to self: go back) My E-Bird List.

We moved on a bit and visited another area with the same hopes - this particular spot provided us with different surprises....such as Florida Scrub Jays - sweet!

The elected Sentinel pretty much kept an eye on things while the others flew in different bushes.

Elaine and I talked of a fantasy of having a Scrub Jay eating out of her hand in front of her car on Elaine Ave - I'm sure it could have been a possibility however we stay out of the feeding business.

Robins! Many of them being seen and heard.

And here we found 4 Brown-headed Cowbirds, not a usual sighting and we had to consult our bird books to make sure what we were looking at.

They were very patient with us as we looked, photographed and discussed them.

At last we accepted that we weren't going to be seeing any Bobwhites and proceeded to our next spot. My E-Bird List.

This area is West of Harn's Marsh - we spotted a Limpkin.

A beautiful and crisp blue sky.

Along the West Trail I saw a tiny "Dainty Sulphur" - interesting how it appeared yellow with the naked eye, with the binoculars and with the camera - the hues are more toward the green side.

even the eyes are green, pretty fascinating. Okay, well, we're off to Harn's Marsh now and before we go I jotted my E-Bird List.

We arrived at Harn's Marsh and chatted with Ron Bishop - it appears the Marsh is a bit quieter this morning than it was on Saturday. I wonder if the chilly weather and higher winds than usual are having an effect on the birds - in any event, it warmed up nicely and we enjoyed watching the scenery - such as those Ring-necked Ducks (male & female).

Several Great Southern White were working hard at not getting blown with the wind while feeding.

A Cattle Egret.

As we were heading out toward the gate, a pair of Sandhill Cranes landed nearby.

We watched them and enjoyed seeing them

as they walked and ate. They took off when someone got too close.

Till, the next time....I had a great time and I am grateful to be able to go and see them. My E-Bird List for Harns Marsh.

Birding across Lee Co.

It is down to the wire with just one week to go on the June Challenge. This challenge takes place every year and it acts as an incentive to get out and bird on the slowest month of the year. I had set myself up with a goal of finding 100 species - and today I reached 79 .... I have a feeling that it's going to be a challenge to find the next 21.

Anyway, today I started with Harn's Marsh - a lovely place to be, especially first thing in the morning.

The Limpkins could be seen and heard - they are fun to listen to.

Harn's Marsh is lush and green - a result of the recent rains that we've had lately.

What have we got here? White Pelicans?? They must have missed the memo somehow, either that or they were too young for the trip north.

The plumage is an indicator of its age.

The lovely Woodstorks.

There's even a coot in the background - who knew?? - those Coots which are so abundant during the fall/winter/spring months, can hardly be found in June.

The Red-winged Blackbird - so striking yet so difficult for me to capture with its bright red showing off.

Vultures - Black and Turkey - one big happy family.

Anhinga showing off his wings behind the Black Vulture .... "Look what I can do!"

Glossy Ibis

The Sandhill Cranes stayed far, far away ..... I love these guys.

More Limpkins before we took off for our next location.

We drove to Corkscrew Road and found a trail off the beaten path - this Crawfish acted as if he owned the place.....then again....maybe he does.

He showed us how big his claws were, then disappeared in the muck.

Then I found it .... The Brown-headed Nuthatch.

The funny thing is that this little guy sounds like a squeaky toy such as a rubber ducky .... too cute.

Quite the acrobats they are.

Several hours had elapsed since sunrise and the heat is intensifying....time to call it a day.