Wilson Snipe & Gator surprise

A foggy morning greeted me at the Bailey Tract - I tend to enjoy those because they provide me with a state of serenity....and off I go.....come along and join me....

Do you see what I mean - can you feel it too?

A pair of Red-shouldered Hawk were quite vocal though and it made it easy to find them.

A quick skip over to the Sanibel Garden preserve rewarded me with great open views of a Wilson Snipe....

did you ever notice that the tail is coral in color?

Soon after a little Eastern Phoebe puffed and posed for a quick photo - thank you!

Back at the Bailey Tract - several Mottled Ducks are gathering up, some were quacking away and others were preening their beautiful feathers.

A fairly large Gator was spotted from across the pond - probably hoping for the sun to warm it up.

Side by side - a Common Grackle and a Yellow-rumped Warbler - a fun opportunity for size comparison.

A closer inspection of the Gator showed a satisfactory grin with the restful spot.

On my way out - a Gray Catbird looked at me and I thought to myself "How fortunate to be able to see so many species today right out in the open!" I shall keep alert for what comes next.

Happy New Year!

I wish all of you a very Happy New Year and may you see all the birds that your heart desires and that goes for me too!

My first birding day this year came on January 2nd with the Caloosa Bird Club and it took place at Bunche Beach....come along and see....

Now, is there a better way to start the day - I think not.

And what a nice surprise to have the Brant so close and what joy to have it still around.

A King's Crown drew my attention - notice the colorful bands and the live mollusk sporting a black and white pattern.

And how interesting to see those egg cases attached - live mollusk lead an interesting life.

This Bald Eagle likes to hang around the platform in the parking lot of the Bailey-Matthew National Shell Museum.

This moment begged for a quote....the crow jumped over the moon.

This Otter and the rest of the photos were taken today at the Bailey Tract - I started early in the very dense fog....it made for a quiet and peaceful morning as I observed wildlife all around me welcoming the new day.

This Wilson Snipe did not escape my eyes even though it was quiet as a mouse.

An adult Wood Stork landed in the shallow water while....

a much younger one perched in a tree and watched from above.

A lovely Roseate Spoonbill joined in and soon...

the White Ibis kept it company too.

This wraps up another beautiful morning - I feel blessed when I'm surrounded by nature and this morning provided me with all that I needed.

 

Telegraph Creek and Bob Janes Preserves

Elaine and I took a drive to North River Road today with the hopes of finding a few species that we haven't seen this year - a Towhee and a Turkey - some folks have reported them at this location so we are hopeful.

We were happy to see that boots were not needed and that the trail was well marked.

It did not take us long to find a pond that was just on the other side of the property boundaries, we were thrilled to find not one but....

three Wilson Snipe - our first of the season.

I don't know about you but if I could I would love to own this beautiful property.

Apparently the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks feel the same way.....

because they were everywhere.

Crows and Grackles were plentiful and it was nice to see them all share the space peacefully with the Red-shouldered Hawk.

It was peaceful for us too.

Once we reached the top of the loop we were greeted by an Eastern Phoebe.

The Telegraph Creek is along the edge of those two preserves, the water level was low and it was hardly moving.

As we headed back we couldn't help but notice some of the fauna and how different it looked from another angle.

The pasture along the edge of Bob Jane's preserve - the cows were far away but we still had to keep an eye where we were stepping.

Another look/see as we exited this parcel.

Yummm, some tasty looking mushrooms - but we'll pass on the tasting part.

We found a bench and sat for a few - admiring the peaceful view and wondering who erected these ropes and how they were accessed.

As the morning progressed more and more raptors were showing up - a Short-tailed Hawk is photographed here.

The Salt bushes were in full bloom and the seeds were joyfully blowing in the wind.

One of many Wood Storks flying overhead - heading for that beautiful pond, I'm sure. I wished we could spend more time especially since we hadn't found a Towhee or a Turkey but after walking 5.35 miles we were ready to wrap it up. Another great time being spent outdoors - we are blessed to be living in sunny Florida. My E-Bird List for today.

Circle B Bar Preserve with the Caloosa Bird Club

I've been waiting for this moment for some time now and I'm so glad it's finally here. And it seemed to be very fitting to start the day with an owl considering how the day ended yesterday (you'll just have to scroll down to the previous post to see what I'm talking about). So, come along with me and see what the day brought...

A Barred Owl - what a beauty!

It sets the day and leads us to the trail.

And the trail took us to the next surprise....

A Wood Duck on top of a deal Palm tree.

A family of Sandhill Cranes was not too far.

Limpkins were heard and seen through the entire preserve.

Our group seems dwarfed by the mossy Oak Trees.

A House Wren

A Swamp Sparrow - right out in the open by my feet - I love this place!

A female Common Yellow-throat.

Another Limpkin

One of three Purple Gallinule that I saw.

An Anhinga in his beautiful breeding Plumage.

A Great Blue Heron on its nest.

A Glossy Ibis

An Eastern Phoebe

Can you see the Wilson Snipe?

How about now? Amazing how they blend in, hey?

A beautiful little Sora which wasn't much bigger than the Snipe.

Another Sandhill Crane.

A couple Forster Terns

A Royal Tern

A Green Heron

100+ Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

And that one odd ball in the back is a Fulvous Whistling Duck

The ducks were also perched within the mossy tree limbs.

Another Limpkin - this one is busy making its nest.

A close up of those Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.

An American Robin - I never get tired of seeing them.

And the last sighting of the day - two Great Horned Owlets on the way out of Circle B Bar Reserve

One of them could be seen hiding behind the Ressurection Fern

What a perfect way to end a beautiful weekend - I feel blessed and my spirit is filled to the brim.