Roseate morning

A visit to the Bailey Tract this morning made for a very nice beginning for this day.

There's a cold front heading our way and even though the Bailey Tract is 1/2 mile from the beach, I could hear the ocean roar....

the Pied-billed Grebe is pretty well protected.

Around the corner a Mourning Dove's feathers seemed to glisten with gold in the sunshine.

A Kestrel was surveying the area for a bite to eat.

This Roseate Spoonbill gave me the impression of being filled with kindness - can you see it in its eyes and can you feel the softness too?

Once the Roseate disappeared from sight - a Palm Warbler caught my attention - it had me wonder at first because it was hopping while keeping its tail up, not quite a Palm behavior however with closer inspection it was confirmed.

Well, this concludes another beautiful visit at the Bailey Tract - looks like the Mottled Ducks were able to find a spot away from those high winds....I think I will too.

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.

Moon Flowers and Eastern Phoebe

Awe, the weather is slowly changing and the air is clear and crisp, an early walk at the Bailey Tract greeted me with Moon Flowers....

The Moon Flowers are in the Morning Glory family - how appropriate to find this on my arrival this morning.

It grows on a twining vine, the flowers (5-1/2") are funnel-shaped with 5 yellowish-green radiating stripes. It is fragrant and opens at night, the leaves are heart-shaped and it blooms year-round.

As I surveyed the rest of the trail, I came upon this quiet group of Mourning Dove, they seemed to huddle together - perhaps to stay warm on this chilly morning.

On my way back I heard and then saw this Eastern Phoebe. Fresh fall birds are washed with yellow below. The Phoebes are distinguished from pewees by their habit of pumping down and spreading their tails.

I've missed seeing the Phoebes and I'm happy to see them again and to hear them sing their "fee-bee" song. Welcome Back!

 

Following the prescribed burn

Earlier this week, the Bailey Tract had a prescribed burn take place - it was successful and the preserve re-opened after a few days. Come and take a look at how everything is resuming....

It is quite early and the sun peeking at the horizon is just now shining on the clouds and reflecting back into the pond - these type of vistas just takes my breath away.

This young Little Blue Heron even has a 'ghost' reflection in the pond. Notice the 'calico' effect with its plumage - it is morphing from its first year white plumage to blue - once it reaches adulthood it will be totally blue.

One of the two Mottled Duck family that I came across this morning - these ducklings were slightly older than the other family.

A Mourning Dove silently walking the plank.

The prescribed burn leaves behind interesting hues - though it never ceases to amaze me when I see green shoot coming up just a few days later.

Fire is a necessary component of many ecosystems, and suppression of natural fires has played a role in the environment change that has occurred in the last century. The story of the Bailey Tract is one of natural fire, suppression of natural fire, and the rediscovery by refuge managers of the value of fire in maintaining and restoring a healthy wildlife habitat.

On the scorched floor with just a few green twigs appearing, the White Ibis can be seen foraging along the way.

Across the way I spy several 'white' birds...let's take a closer look....

Great Egrets, Snowy and Little Blue have found this shallow portion of the pond to feed upon.

Up above - a pair of Magnificent Frigatebirds flying below the moon.

The Swallow-tailed Kites are still roosting - soon they will take flight and spend their day floating/soaring the Sanibel skies.

A young Tricolored Heron - the brown plumage tells me that it's young.

A young Box Turtle - next to my small bottle of water you can tell its approximate size. It stayed in its shell while I was nearby - I let it be.

And the Kites are up.....

carrying their first breakfast - unfortunately I couldn't quite make out what course this was.

A Ring-necked Snake - a small snake living up to its name.

A young Green Heron - most of the young ones have fledge which makes it more common to see them out and about.

An adult Tricolored Heron was busy feeding - and boy was it ever fast...

it was quite active and alert, I must say quite successful in its endeavor to catch fish.

Sometimes just staying close to the shore....

making shadows to make its fishing more successful....until.....

off it went.

A fleeting moment of respite until....

the next time.

Off the beaten path - an Osprey was tending to its feathers - giving it a deep cleaning.

Well, folks, that's all for now. The Bailey Tract has persevered and is experiencing 'regrowth' as we speak and soon to be lush and green once again.