Migration time!

Now that it's migration time I tend to spend a bit more time at the Lighthouse Point and the Pond Apple Trail since it seems to be rather productive with sightings of Warblers passing through - come along and see what I've come across for the past week or so....

All right, I know that this male Pileated Woodpecker is not migrating but I couldn't pass him up as he sat on top of this wooden pole.

A Cape May Warbler took me by surprise - at first it was being called a "Prairie" by others but the more I looked at it the more I was questioning the call - I was delighted when I got home and started to study my photos and I was able to come to the conclusion that it was a Cape May.

A Northern Waterthrush has also been seen along the Pond Apple Trail - picking along the small ponds here and there along the trail.

While it happens to be migration - it also coincides with our local birds going into their breeding season - evident here with this Cattle Egret and....

the Tricolored Heron.

A day later - I found myself at the Lighthouse for the first hour only to move to the Pond Apple Trail and for good reasons......

A Yellow-billed Cuckoo made a swell appearance.

and so did the Summer Tanager.

I don't know about you but every time I see a Yellow-billed Cuckoo I am delighted - what's not to love!

The Vireos were in good numbers too - I was able to photograph this White-Eyed Vireo and

this Blue-Headed Vireo.

The Red-eyed Vireo as well as the Yellow-throated Vireo were seen but not photographed.

Another sweet appearance from the Summer Tanager.

I couldn't pass this young Little Blue Heron - they have a special appeal when the blue starts to color its plumage.

Today I found myself at the Lighthouse once more and was delighted to see several Northern Parulas,

and Yellow-throated Warblers

and another Cape May Warbler - this is great! We should have another week of migration and hopefully we'll get more sightings along the way....stay tuned.

A Golden-winged Warbler at the Slough

The words started to spread this past Sunday about a Golden-winged Warbler being at the Slough, more of the same was spoken of the following day....so it was with high hopes that I made my way over there this morning.

I arrived before the sunrise and positioned myself near the amphitheater to witness the rookery come alive and leave for the day.

And that was pretty amazing - to see it and hear it as it went over my head and flew toward the new day.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed this Little Blue Heron tiptoeing away - he probably didn't want to be seen "fishing" by the no-fishing zone.

I think he looks kind of guilty, don't you think?

 

The Golden-winged Warbler - what a beauty! He can be seen here, upside down with head on - notice the bright yellow cap (matching with the golden yellow patch on the wing) and the eye mask - a striking fellow.

An underside view of its tail, black throat and eye mask. It was unfortunate that I wasn't able to capture the yellow wing patch but I'm happy never the less to have these glimpses.

A Red-eyed Vireo.

 An Ovenbird with its orange crest visible.

A Carolina Wren - staying put long enough for me to capture its photo.

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

A Yellow-throated Vireo

All in all it was a terrific day, I was especially grateful that more experienced birders were along the boardwalk .... the more eyes to the sky the better the chances of spotting those fast moving creatures. Get out there and Go Birding!

Bailey, Bowman and Gulf Pines too.

What a fun day this turned out to be! It all started with a short stop at the Bailey Tract to catch sight of a Swamp Sparrow within the preserve - sweet, let's go!

A Red-Shouldered Hawk was keeping a close eye on its surrounding.

The House Wren is always heard before it is seen.

What a nice find - a White-Eyed Vireo right out in the open.

A new friendship perhaps....a Red Cardinal and a Common Ground Dove.

A female Common Yellow Throat.

A Tricolored Heron by the blooming Goldenrod. At last I did get to see the Swamp Sparrow however I have no photo to show, maybe better luck next time.

Further up the island, I went to the Gulf Pines subdivision where a reported pair of Eagles have been seen sitting on their nest.

Some of the story behind the platform is that in year's past, the Eagles had set up their nest in an Australian Pine which was rapidly declining - some dedicated folks erected a post/platform next to it and it is being used successfully.

Next was Bowman's Beach - where I sat with my friend Connie for a much needed catch up chat - of course opportunities came up for some bird snap shots.

This is a common sighting within the Royal Tern family - where the juvenile will persist in begging for food and attention.

Some Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers were strolling the beach too. This scene made me think of my sandpiper friend leaving this earthly place, may you rest in peace Joan....you were one of a kind and will be truly missed.

A Ruddy Turnstone was very cozy in a small depression within the sandy beach.

Later on, I made another visit to the Bailey Tract - hoping to catch sight of a Bittern that was reported earlier today - this one eluded me. In the meantime, I caught sight of 3 female Blue-winged Teal - first time back this fall.

In another pond, the Mottled Ducks were spotted.

Ummm, I thought I had taken the photo of a House Wren, now I'm not so sure.

Along the Airplane Canal - a Gulf Fritillary.

Even here in Florida, we are blessed with beautiful fall colors.

A Little Blue Heron.

A very attentive Great Egret.

Last but not least, a bright male Common Yellow Throat among the sea of sticks. There has been many challenges of late to capture these little feather friends as they swiftly fly in between branches while feeding in a frenzy.....I don't give up easily and will continue to try, I will be returning for more.