Fort DeSoto with the Caloosa Bird Club

I had been waiting for this trip to take place and as birding goes - I was not disappointed even though the outcome was different than anticipated....take a look, but first grab your sunglasses and sunscreen.

One of our first greater - a Loggerhead Shrike.

At this junction our group had split up in the hopes of finding a reported Groove Billed Ani....

and Bingo! we found it.....I'm in a sorry state that I couldn't picture it properly because he surely deserves a standing ovation.

We were quite delighted - a lifer for many, myself included.

Now the shore is calling....come along

A Northern Gannet was quite a sight...

giving us a free admission to his show

while he swooped and dove into the salty spray.

We then traveled to one end of the park and watched at least 60 Marbled Godwits,

a Whimbrel,

Common Tern, Forster's Tern and

Sandwich Terns

Then we moved to another part and bypassed this beautiful setting

Black Skimmers and Laughing Gulls in breeding plumage.

An Oystercatcher.

More Terns, Gulls, Peeps and Plovers - oh my!

Check out the Red Knots with their reddish belly.

A Common Loon sitting on the beach!

An Oystercatcher sitting on a nest.

The Sunshine Skyway bridge.

On the East Beach of Fort DeSoto we found this Great Horned Owl.

Not too far away we found its nest with ....

two Owlets - how cute is that!

After birding for 5 hours we gathered up and had some lunch while we tallied our birds. Some of the folks were heading to the Murlberry Trees area - sadly we had to bypass because I had to attend a meeting for my Sea Turtle program at dinner time .... soon I will share some of those events as they unfold. Stay tuned. My E-Bird List for Fort DeSoto.

 

Babcock Webb with Caloosa Bird Club

Since this yearly trip is very well attended, it has been preferable to set up two separate outing - we opted to go today and were pleased to have such a nice intimate group. The day started out a bit foggy - as spring morning goes - and improved as the hours unfolded....come and take a look....

This particular location is known for their Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the fact that the best way to see them is to be there before sunrise.

We watched the scenery unfold and waited patiently.

We pay particular attention to the trees that are marked with a wide white band - as these are the trees the RCWO nest in.

And here is our star - a 8-1/2" Black-and-white barred back, black cap and large white cheek patch. Even though it looks similar to a Downy or Hairy - this one does not have the solid white back.

The RCWO inhabits open, mature pine woodlands.

We also spotted a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers - as pictured here - as well as Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers.

The woodlands and the wildflowers provided a beautiful vista.

A Killdeer on the edge of a dirt road, sitting on his nest - a typical fashion for them to set it up on open ground.

A few Eastern Meadowlarks entertained us with their songs today - I love to hear those guys.

And, oh, what a surprise! A Great Horned Owl perched on the tree top - a fine looking fellow.

Thanks to my Canon SX50, I was able to zoom in to this "X" where the Owl was sitting.

I wonder if he paid us as much attention as we did - I bet not.

Another Meadowlark.

Sweet little Brown-headed Nuthatch sitting nicely for us to observe.

A Shrike! I am used to see them on power lines - this is so much better.

Lilly Pads with Lotus flowers - Lotus to me signify enlightment and purity.

A swamp buggy coming down the trail - Babcock has trips/tours available - a different way to see the place.

For it's size, it was pretty quiet.

The road is open, the price is right and the experience is priceless....try it, you'll like it. My E-Bird List for today.