Bunche Beach Tornado Watch

A late in the week opportunity to capture some wildlife imagery was made to offer some fresh stuff.

The scene above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

The start of the morning was very gloomy with heavy winds yet the temperature was warm.

Without precipitation, although Lee County was reportedly under a Tornado Watch, I chose to travel to Bunche Beach knowing that the conditions would not be ideal.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

The night before I had received a reply from local birding enthusiast, Wes Dirks.

I thought I might meet up with him at the Sanibel Lighthouse, but the conditions were considered to be much too windy for photography of migrating passerines there.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

With the tide at Matanzas Pass still hours from its high upon my arrival at Bunche Beach Preserve, I had not seen the tide so high at the preserve before.

This was certainly due to the winds from the south that were driving the gulf waters into the bay.

The Dunlin above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

I chose to walk about a half mile to the east along the shoreline and wait for the birds.

The sighting of a Bald Eagle and Magnificent Frigatebird after immediately stepping out of the car I thought a good omen.

The scene above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

This was a very rare occasion when I would not wade in the water as the waves were fierce.

Although I wouldn't see the eagle again, two frigatebirds would fly toward me during my visit.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

A pair of Ospreys would make flyovers as well although the only species of bird I would see dive into the water apparently in search of food was a Royal Tern.

Many Snowy Egrets braved the conditions headed in the direction of Bird Island that would allow them good cover.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

Double-crested Cormorant and Brown Pelicans were prolific in flying toward the lighthouse across the bay.

Willet, Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Dunlin, and Black-bellied Plovers were headed in the direction of Bowditch Point just north of Fort Myers Beach.

The 3rd graders above were photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

A large group of children arrived on the scene that I would learn were two classes of third graders that were to learn about the food chain within the mud flats at Bunche Beach Preserve.

The windy conditions were ideal for an apparently very well experienced Kitesurfer that did some amazing leaps from the waves.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

It was a treat to again visit Bunche Beach with nearly two months having passed.

The storm front that was the cause of the tornado warning that was reported to expire at 1pm was extended to 8pm when I returned home.

The Kitesurfer above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

It wasn't until 8:20pm that lightning could be seen and a trace amount of rain fell.

Feature: "Bird Island" At Matanzas Pass

A kayak trip to "Bird Island," postponed for a week due to cold and windy conditions this early spring 2010, resulted in calm pre-dawn conditions and 39 degrees Fahrenheit at launch.

The Great Egret above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

The water in San Carlos Bay felt extremely cold, much more so in fact than I've experienced at any time anywhere leisurely.

I've made a handful of trips to this mecca northwest of Matanzas Pass Bridge from the Bunche Beach Preserve parking area as well as from Bowditch Point just north of Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

Unusual conditions temperature wise for otherwise warm and sunny southwest Florida which has been persistent since the beginning of the year.

There has been commentary of late that bird activity has not been as prevalent as in years past in this area.

The Great Egret juvenile above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

Observations have not indicated that to be the case in my three years of Florida wildlife observation.

The nesting success observed at Bird Island observed today seems to indicate that all is well.

The Great Egret with juvenile above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

I have noted in the past that a kayak or canoe launch to the island is preferred from the Bunche Beach Preserve parking area.

My experience today has me conclude that one should embark from Bowditch Point.

The Great Egret with juvenile above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

From the latter, your distance traveled is greatly shortened, but keep in mind that you will have to potentially deal with much larger watercraft and their wake with extreme care.

The commute should last no more than a half hour and offers a wildlife experience quite exhilarating at times.

The Great Egret juvenile above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

Once near the island approximately 300 feet in diameter, the calls of the juvenile birds become more evident.

The smell of a very active colony wasn't as pungent as in the past with the cooler conditions for sure.

The Great Egret juvenile above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

The predominant nesting species include the Great Egret with a Great Blue Heron observed to compete for a nest as they each took turns to make placement of a particular twig within it before eggs are laid.

I knew immediately that I should have been prepared to document my observations of the wildlife without the 1.4X teleconverter I had attached to the camera that somewhat limited the appeal I was looking for.

The White Ibis above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

There was an egg observed outside of a Great Egret nest that will never hatch.

It appeared the egg was either intentionally or inadvertently displaced by one of the offspring.

The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

The only species I hadn't observed but expected on my most recent trip to the island was the Tricolored Heron.

The regulars in very close proximity included Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Double-crested Cormorant, Brown Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Reddish Egret (solitary) in flight, and Grackle.

The Great Egret above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

Much of the time on the island was spent observing nests more than birds in flight.

Fallen trees from storms of past are still accommodating for an improved view of the activity on the island.

The Turkey Vulture above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

One in particular was much more overgrown than I remember from a visit last year where climbing it for better photographic advantage was impossible as egrets had commandeered it for their own.

Glass bottles of various sizes and shapes were seen as well with fishing line observed in a nest and entangled on a fallen tree that could have only gotten there intentionally.

The Black Vulture above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

I did not see the arrow piercing a nest and bird that was found last year.

An entangled Brown Pelican hung from fishing line in a mangrove at the water's edge near the southeast of the island.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

My departure from the island was from the same oyster shell laden side as I had arrived.

The trip back to the parking area was eventful as I encountered a very strong head wind from the west.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

I was only able to make very slow progress back to the Bunche Beach parking area.

After I passed the east channel, I chose to walk the last mile, but not before falling out of the kayak in my successful attempt to protect the camera.

The Great Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed on "Bird Island" at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2010.

It was a very long, cold and uncomfortable walk thereafter.

Time Management

While I punch a clock within one week to the next, I try to find the time to keep up with domestic chores and, often postponing the chores, like to make a trip to a venue that allows for some interesting wildlife photography.

The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2009.

This past week was disappointing in accomplishing the latter as I got duped by a really poor weather forecast I heard before a day off from work that was ultimately a really great day with bright light in the morning hours.

As a result, I missed the opportunity to further clog my computer's hard drive which is now at 95% capacity with tens of thousands of wildlife photos.

The Dunlin above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2009.

I slept in that morning after burning the midnight oil while taking the time to look at images of mine taken many months ago and beyond, while also viewing those taken by others, and trying to keep this blog as consistent as I'd like it to be with images and links that I believe are appropriate for the subject of the post with hopes of making what you see here more interesting and resourceful.

In the past week as well, I've tried to upload shots to my pbase galleries that particularly highlight venues visited and species observed.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2009.

I've noted that I need to experience the observation of about 375 more bird species that can be expected to be seen in Florida somewhere at a particular time, and must visit an even greater number of venues along the Great Florida Birding Trail to fulfill my goal in seeing them all.

With the end of summer near, and bird migration approaching a crescendo, I hope to have the kayak in the water again.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2009.

During unpredictable weather, it's not a good time to have a boat in the water of any size smaller than a ship in this area. You might make a headline and very brief news.

With a few launches of my RTM Mambo kayak this past year, I was able to see some extraordinary wildlife action that was a result of a trip to a hot spot between Bunche Beach Preserve and Bowditch Point Preserve in Fort Myers with Alena King.

The Great Egret above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

I recall her questioning why there appeared to be no scientific study of the site. I didn't know the answer, but in reflection can say we made it ourselves.

It's my hope that exploration of the 10,000 islands below the southern peninsula of Florida can be made with some spare time before the year comes to a close.

The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

A launching point for the islands will be the Rookery Bay Reserve adjacent to Tigertail Beach in southwest Florida.

My solution to the over clogged computer is transferring photos to external hard drives. This is a novel approach to me to otherwise allow the computer to fail.

The Rock Dove above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

I don't have much time to understand this solution.

A lesson learned since my last contribution here is that if you choose to blog, make your final edits to the text before you post, or your original effort is cached.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

Your first effort is potentially your final version.

There certainly won't be enough time available to make all the journeys I would like to for wildlife action here in prime time, but with luck, I'll be at the right place at the right time as will you.

Feature: Bunche Beach Preserve

Bunche Beach Preserve at San Carlos Bay, Fort Myers, Florida USA is a venue I have visited more than a dozen times. It has become my second favorite place to observe and photograph birds.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve at its east channel in November 2008.

Although the Bald Eagle has been documented at the preserve, it has yet to make its presence known to me personally. I've sighted eagles at Lovers Key State Park several miles to the south. The diversity at Bunche Beach Preserve is not to be discounted as several dozen species, within the groups Pelecaniformes, Wading Birds, Diurnal Raptors, Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers, Doves, Woodpeckers, and Mimids, can be viewed with predictable regularity outside of migration seasons. Many of these observations of mine can be viewed here.

The Reddish Egret with Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve at its west channel in July 2009.

The preserve is best visited at or near low tide where you will have the opportunity to walk into San Carlos Bay or down the beach and cross the channels which wind their way into the mangrove estuary about a mile in either direction from the parking area. The channel at the west side of the preserve is significantly shallower than that to the east.

A resource for tides at the preserve (and elsewhere along the Florida Gulf Coast) can be found here. In the case of Bunche Beach Preserve, choose "Matanzas Pass (fixed bridge) Estero Island" at Estero Bay, and the other required options to get the predicted tides for up to a fourteen day period.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve from within its east channel in November 2008.

Be sure to pay close attention to the weather during the rainy season (summer months) if you plan your visit at this time, as you may get caught in a thunderstorm quite far from your car.

Bunche Beach Preserve is an ideal place to make use of kayaks as well at high tide. You will not only have the opportunity to explore the channels that way, but have the ability to cross San Carlos Bay to visit Bowditch Point Regional Preserve immediately to the south of the parking area by water which is a destination worth seeing in its own right.

The juvenile Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve at its west channel in July 2009.

A kayak or canoe also would allow access to the unnamed island immediately adjacent to Matanzas Pass bridge at San Carlos Bay. The island is a haven for many nesting wading bird species in the spring to early summer months.

Bunche Beach Preserve currently does not have an access fee although that is expected to change with the construction of restroom facilities which are underway.

Bunche Beach Preserve sunset above as seen from the west channel in July 2009.

Insect repellant may be required depending on the time of year and time of day you visit (particulary in the summer months around dusk when there is no breeze).

This is a must see venue if you are in the area especially. Again, time your visit around low tide and ideally in the morning or in the several hours preceding sunset unless you'll be using a boat.