Storms are great!

If you would have told me once upon a time that a storm would be a blessing - I would not have believed you. It turns out that every time a front comes through and pushes rain and wind our way it affects the migrants that are trying to head north for their breeding season, of course it's a bonus for us birders since we get to see them in their beautiful plumage. This weekend turned out to be particularly nice - we had Hummingbirds by the dozen in addiction to.....well....before I blurt it all out, come along and see....

Now, it's true that we see Black-and-white Warblers on a regular basis however some of them are migrating through and are so hungry that they don't care if you are only a few feet away - which provides us with ample good views.

One of the many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that landed at the Lighthouse, interestingly enough they were all mostly females.....boy are they hard to photograph especially with a camera that takes forever to focus.

With the Great-crested Flycatcher - taking its photo is a lot easier. Don't you just love its attitude?

The Gumbo Limbo tree could have easily been called the Red-eyed Vireo trees as there were so many feasting on the ripening fruit.

Warblers, warblers, warblers ..... they were everywhere and we were all giddy about it. This Black-throated Green Warbler found a juicy bug.

A beautiful Chestnut-sided as well as many others - truly loved the Seagrape flowers and all the little bugs that were in it.

A Bay-breasted Warbler gave us ample views and much delight.

A very lovely Ovenbird - check out the orange crest!

After a bit we went to the Pond Apple Trail and had a delightful greeting when we entered - this Rose-breasted Grosbeak stopped us in our tracts.

Shortly after we found the bird we were looking for - an Eastern Wood Peewee - sweet!

This morning I returned to the Lighthouse and found more of the same - a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak feasting on the Gumbo Limbo berries.

Well, I felt really blessed because I had been wanting to find a Hummingbird for several months now and this weekend found a few dozen - I guess it pays to be patient. Thank you. My E-bird List for the Lighthouse.

Kingbirds & Peewee after the storm

After several days of gusty winds and intermittent rain, we were finally blessed with clearing in the weather laced with baby blue sky. 

As I was washing my car I noticed several Eastern Kingbirds in the neighborhood - well needless to say I abandoned my task, quickly grabbed my bins and camera and off I scooted for closer looks....oh boy, come along and see.....

A Yellow-throated Warbler is always a welcomed sight.

Oh My! This is my first time spotting this specie around my house - an Eastern Wood Peewee

A Red-eyed Vireo is also a nice sighting.

Interesting that the Peewee hangs around with the Eastern Kingbird

Quite a looker, wouldn't you say?

I have to be honest, I don't see these very often and I was trying to make it something else - like an Alder Flycatcher....oh well, can't blame a girl for trying.

Here's a few of those Eastern Kingbirds - I counted almost 2 dozen - how cool is that!

Another Peewee - this one has darker feathers around its belly.

I told them to stay in one tree but only a few agreed, you'll just have to take my word that I saw nearly 24 of them.

Can you stand another pic of this Peewee?

Or maybe a mouse? They are cute but not quite my favorite.

And tonight before the sun went down - I stepped outside and revisited with the Kingbirds and Peewee and then I was blessed with 6 Common Nighthawks! I'd say this was a great day and quite nice to have our birds returning! Happy Birding!

 

Sweet Migration

I mentioned to a pal recently that birding is like a box of chocolate - you just never know what you're going to get and the same applies while migration is taking place, though the weather and the wind tends to play a big factor and this year it's all been 'odd'. In any event, this past week I finally got to see some of the late migrants going through, come and take a look....

Our local Palm Warblers have gone north for some time now, in this instance I had a Palm coming from the South and stopping by for a bite to eat before continuing further north.

An interesting little fellow - was it a finch? - was it a Dickcissel? - well, how about an Indigo Bunting! I've got so much to learn yet.

A Black-throated Green Warbler gave us the greatest view ever, we figured that he just landed, was totally exhausted, famished and he didn't care who was nearby.

Now, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one gorgeous bird!

The resident Gopher was keeping a sharp eye on things.

A lady Rose-breasted Grosbeak - this is one of those exception as far as the female being drab - not so much in this case if you ask me.

Another view of the Black-throated Green Warbler.

A female American Redstart posing for a split second.

A Red-eyed Vireo, I had many great views of many of them and I'm sure that I will recognize this fellow in the future, no doubt!

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak pair.

Not a migrant but a great way to start the day with the sunrise - this White Ibis was actually gathering some sticks.

And guess who? If you said Blackpoll Warbler then you win the applause!

Quite a few Yellow-billed Cuckoo have been seen for the past couple of weeks and that's greaaat!

Ahhhh....the Gray-cheeked Thrush....what a beauty!

And today's eye candy goes to the Scarlet Tanagers - we had 2 male and 1 female - lucky gal!

Happy Mother's Day to me and to all the moms out there.

 

A few more migrants

We've had a cool front come through and our winds shifted to the NW - this indicated a good chance to see a few more of the late migrants. Come and see what I located in my area.

At the Sanibel Lighthouse - an Eastern Kingbird

and a Western Kingbird

An Eastern & a Western Kingbird.

A Palm Warbler - a nice surprise.

A Red-eyed Vireo

A Western Kingbird and

 

a Blackpoll Warbler.

A visit to the Caloosa Shell Mound provided views of the Great Crested Flycatcher,

Scarlet Tanager - female

Scarlet Tanager - male

 I'm just glad that I was able to catch sight of these few - spring migration gives us a short window of viewing opportunities while the migrants are passing through - bad weather usually provides more dropouts. In any event, any day birding makes for a great day.