The Tigertail Beach Park map above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Park in February 2010.This popular destination for locals and tourists alike offers a sun and fun environment for shelling, sunbathing, surf fishing, and wildlife photography.
Tigertail Beach Park is also host to areas of critical habitat essential to migrating birds that may simply rest briefly or nest and produce offspring which draws wildlife and photography enthusiasts.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.Beach renourishment has provided the resource for Sand Dollar Island, a former sandbar, to now be connected to the mainland at the island's former southern tip.
As sea water has now become relatively stagnant in the lagoon while it ebbs and flows with tidal action, it has been complained about at least by one local resident for its foul smell.
The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.Such a sensation was not experienced in my May and June 2009 and February 2010 trips to Tigertail Beach Lagoon.
The lagoon is also complained about by some visitors who expect to make a quick beeline to the beach from the parking area.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.Quite a long walk to the south is currently required to access the Gulf of Mexico without having to walk through the shallow muddy and potentially slippery lagoon or via concession watercraft.
Requests have been made for construction of a boardwalk across the lagoon to allow easy direct access to the beach, but boardwalk detractors note a significant disturbance it might cause to the wildlife.
The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its South Florida Birding Trail guide note that Tigertail Beach is one of the best all-around birding venues in southwest Florida.
My experiences at the Tigertail Beach Lagoon have been very rewarding in observation of migrating birds and indigenous wading birds alike.
The Snowy Egret with Greater Yellowlegs above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.Although the Great Florida Birding Trail guide notes Tigertail Beach to be best visited from September through March, my summer visits to the venue were highlighted by the Least Terns and Black Skimmers nesting at the northern tip of Sand Dollar Island.
It was my great fortune in June 2009 to see the first Osprey juvenile (clearly identified by its orange eyes that turn black as it matures) produced from a nesting platform installed at the park more than a decade earlier.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in May 2009.My February 2010 trip to the lagoon was highlighted by the sighting of four Red-breasted Merganser which I have only observed on one other occasion at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to the north on 16 February 2009.
The merganser's behavior was very interesting in their mobility as they were never still for a moment while they were constantly in search of food.
The Osprey juvenile above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in June 2009.Snowy Egret were diligent in their pace to stay in the immediate area of the mergansers evidently taking advantage of the diving duck's ability to readily locate schools of fish.
A fellow visitor to Tigertail Beach commented to me the aggressive nature in the growth of the Black Mangrove that has greatly obscured the view of the lagoon north of Tigertail Beach Park's parking area.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.Regrettably, the sky remained overcast which compelled me to intentionally overexpose the images taken on my most recent visit to Tigertail Beach Lagoon.
I'm occasionally reminded of an image of a dead booby taken at Tigertail Beach in the summer of 2009 sent to me by a fellow wildlife enthusiast, but we were unable to determine the precise species (possibly Red-footed).
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.The legs or feet were under the body of the bird and it wasn't turned over. I suspect the bird may have washed onto the beach from Dry Tortugas National Park where the boobies are prolific in early summer.
Tigertail Beach Lagoon is a venue I strongly encourage you to visit any time of year while similar venues San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in Fort Myers and Little Estero Lagoon immediately south of Fort Myers Beach are my preferred favorites for their greater quantity of birds seen or the intimacy of the wildlife you're sure to experience.
The fishermen above were photographed at Tigertail Beach Park in May 2009.Species observed on my most recent visit to Tigertail Beach Lagoon is highlighted by clicking here.
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