The Sunday's addrenaline

I love that title and what it stands for - as it is how it felt to be heading out to my planned out locations with the purposes of finding, seeing and hearing a few species that I had on my list - I gave it my best shot and I had a ball doing it.

Our first stop was in North Cape Coral - near Del Prado and Pine Island Road intersection - a small pond nicknamed the Wigeon Pond.

Right away I saw that the intended target - a Eurasian Wigeon and a Mallard were present but also a whole brood of American Pekin Duck - which, it turns out, is meant for egg laying and general consumption....Pekin Duck anyone?

Since our day light wasn't quite conducive for picture taking - we moved on to the next spot, which happens to be right around the corner from Charlotte Harbor Buffer. I was there to get a visual on a Bobwhite - I heard them all over the place and had a real hard time locating them, my patience paid off. What a beautiful bird this is and what a pretty song it has!

Soon, the male Bobwhite was joined by a molting Starling and then

a Downy Woodpecker - my guess is that they were attracted to his lovely song

Soon after, we returned to the Wigeon Pond - the light was better and we were able to enjoy their plumage in the sunlight.

The Eurasian Wigeon - a very handsome fellow.

Shortly after we drove to North Fort Myers to the Powell Creek Preserve with the hopes of finding a Wood duck that has been seen lately.

The area is lovely, a one mile loop that is surrounded by ponds and trees - some of them were abuzz with Blue-grey Gnatcatchers and White-eyed Vireos, some Hairy Woodpeckers were heard as well.

Several Herons and Egrets were seen as well as Anhingas and Red-winged Blackbirds.....oh, a gator or two too.

From a distance I saw the silhouette of a duck landing - I had high hopes that my wood duck had landed only to find a Mottled Duck - it's okay because as long as there is life, then it's all good.

 

Hump day can be lovely.

After being done with my turtle patrol - I decided to make a visit to my favorite spot - the Sanibel Garden Preserve - and what a nice visit this was.

I never get tired of seeing the Swallow-tailed Kites - they are just magnificent with their simple grace.

And the Great-crested Flycatchers are in greater numbers and can be seen in pairs throughout the preserve.

A Red-shouldered Hawk - ever patient and vigilant.

By the tower - a Starling

One of the Killdeer giving me the broken wing syndrome - I retreated and let him/her be.

The Common Grackle with its bright yellow eye.

Talking about eyes - who has eyes on who? A Great Blue Heron by an alligator.

Quite an acrobat, don't you think?

Here's the Great-crested Flycatcher by its home.

The better half - not too far - seem to say: "Are you looking at me?"

Another box being used by the Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Time for me to start heading out - the Swallow-tailed Kite was leading the way.

But before I leave, I had to cross the street over to the Bailey Tract to take a peek on the little family - all's well.

 

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