Migrants mingling by the locals

As the migration gets really narrowed down - I've been checking up on the hot spots around the island just to see who has flown in the night before.

Sometimes I just come across some other adorable little creature - such as this Green Anole.

At the Lighthouse Point, I got a quick glimpse of a Black-throated Blue Warbler .... I know, no black throat and that's indicative of a female .... in the bird world the male is the one that stands out.

A Blackpoll Warbler....zooming in and out

A Cape May Warbler - a male

Then a little spin through Ding Darling provided a really nice surprise....

A Bay-breasted Warbler that came into my lens just long enough for me to capture its beauty.

At the Tower - 29 Roseate Spoonbills were resting and preening - don't they just look delicious!

Then I spotted "Ding" the Reddish Egret - doing its famous dance and catching some fish

This is one of the bird that is outfitted with a solar powered transmitter as well as a band - they study his habits and track its movements

At the Shell Mound - the Cape May Warbler seemed to rule the area

And that's okay - I don't get to see them very often and it is quite a treat to observe them.

 

 

Migration continues

It was fun to bird the Lighthouse once again - and it started out with a glorious sunrise.

And from that moment on - it seemed as if the birds had basked in that sun glow - such as this Hooded Warbler.

The Red-eyed Vireo on the other hand seemed to stay within the shadows of the branches filled with Gumbo Limbo berries.

Another Hooded Warbler.

And the all time favorite - A Prothonotary Warbler.

This Prothonotary has a relatively long bill and large dark eyes, its diet consists of insects and spiders - I wish he was a year around resident.

Well, all good things comes to an end - almost - I got home and sat outside with Elaine and while we were drinking the view, 2 Orchard Oriole showed up - What a way to seal the day!   My E-Bird List for the Lighthouse.

 

Hawk Watch

The Audubon of Southwest Florida had their Hawk Watch this morning, its location was on Sanibel Island by the lighthouse. A nice crowd gathered up for the event on this beautiful and clear day. As I waited for things to unfold, I strolled a bit along the path nearby and was able to catch sight of a House Wren - its voice preceding its sight.

There it is singing its heart out.

After a short and sweet welcome by Jim Rodenfels - the field trip coordinator, we were introduced to our one and only birder extraordinaire - Vince McGraph. Vince led us to the base of the Lighthouse where we stood for several hours with our eyes glued to the sky - hoping, waiting and watching some of the hawks that came through - Kestrels, Merlin and Sharpie, as well as many migrants and some of our local feathered friends.

A female Indigo Bunting landed very close to where we were - giving everyone a great view.

An Eastern Wood-Pewee came shortly after, also staying for a bit for everyone to see.

Another Indigo Bunting as well as many others came through where we were - a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher flew by many times and that was probably one of the most favorite from the sound of the crowd - I wish that I had been able to capture it to show you - as it was a gorgeous flycatcher.

 

All in all, it was a great morning - what's not to love about birding and being surrounded with friends who love to bird!

My E-Bird List for today  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20274976

Migration continues to be lovely.

Since I am a relatively new birder on the block - I don't have other preconceived idea as to how much I'm supposed to be seeing and when - either way, I am delighted to learn as I go along the way.

This Blackpoll Warbler is probably one of the fastest guy on the block - I'm just glad that I was able to see it, let alone take a photo or two.

The Indigos are still present - 1.5 weeks and still going.

This Rose-breasted Grosbeak never cease to surprise me - I would look up and there he'd be.

For a minute there I thought I was seeing a new specie - Judy Davis happened to be walking toward me when I showed her my finding - good thing too, otherwise I might still be looking for it's ID. This Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a pretty good looking female if I must say so myself.

The Northern Parula - a male - telltale signs is the dark 'necklace' below his neck.

The Prothonotary continues to take by breath away with it's simplistic beauty.

The Parula and the Prothonotary were hanging in the same tree....there's plenty of fruit to go around.

Not too far away was the juvenile Osprey - who had just jumped over from its nest - he/she will soon take its first flight.

The Black-billed Cuckoo is still in the area - what a treat to see it two days in a row.

The European Starling - often overlooked - is filled with an interesting pattern in its plumage and the yellow bill is indication of breeding.

A Prairie Warbler

Till the next time.....I live in Paradise and I am grateful.

 

 My E-Bird List for today http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17994747

Migration continues and the Black Billed Cuckoo returns.

I couldn't wait for the sun to rise so that I could get busy and see what is happening at the Sanibel Lighthouse - the previous day I followed all the new sightings and I could hardly wait and hoped that I could see them as well.

The Blue-winged Warbler never disappoint - what is not to love!

The Blackburnian takes your breath away.

Here's the underside of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Those two chicks were very vocal this morning - probably hungry.

This was a new bird for me this year and this was my first opportunity to actually be able to photograph it - just beautiful.

The Baltimore Oriole.

Yum - a fresh juicy skink for the Great Egret.

And the Black Billed Cuckoo - wow - I was so happy to be able to see it and to be at the right place at the right time.

My Easter bird.

A Green Heron - that was a surprise as I've never seen one at the Sanibel Lighthouse.

Happy Easter.

 

My E-Bird List for today - with 51 species - wow, what a day!  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S17976865