The Chicken Or The Egg

As the 2011 Great Backyard Bird Count (February 18-21) is underway, I ponder the question why one would want to be a "birder."

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

A harder question answered is "what is a birder?"

If you've ever taken interest in the flight of a bird that may have crossed your path or winged creature that may have merely been within your view, you might consider yourself a birder.

The Mourning Dove above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

There are certainly birders with qualifications raging far and wide from filling a box with seed to traveling the world.

It's been my great pleasure to encounter birders in my travels whom have the ability to identify birds with a skill that seems to be acquired with many years of observation and faithful dedication.

The Blue-headed Vireo above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

It has taken me several years to reach the point in which I consider myself a novice birder devoting as much time to Southwest Florida wildlife observation as I can which typically averages seven hours a week.

I occasionally ponder the question asked of me by someone I've worked with if I would ever lose interest in photographing birds.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

As I immediately answered then, and as I feel today, definitely not.

There's simply too much unexpected opportunity with appreciation for the fact that these creatures are believed to be descendants of dinosaurs with a fossil indicating a winged creature lived 150 million years ago.

The Blue-headed Vireo above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

I have thus far documented 137 different species of bird in Florida, with a lifetime endeavor to merely observe as many of these beautiful creatures as I am able.

A greater personal endeavor is to study the behavior of birds.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

This week's effort was to continue my observation of a Bald Eagle's nest that has a solitary fledgling.

A contentious behavior between the adult eagles and Ospreys was again noted.

The Bald Eagle juvenile above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

The aerial dogfights between the species, if you will, are quite extraordinary and very difficult to document effectively through photography.

It was also particularly interesting to observe the eagle I call "862," as indicated by the metal band on its right leg.

The Bald Eagle with Osprey above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

I reported the identification of the bird to the United States Geological Survey for information on the bird's history, but have not received a reply after two weeks.

What was of particular interest to me about the eagle's behavior which lasted 12 minutes was the manner in which it apparently was attempting to cool itself down on the morning when the temperature was about 70 degrees in the shade.

The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

I have only seen similar behavior made by a Great Blue Heron on a couple of occasions and never before by the eagles.

This behavior should not be mistaken as similar by an Anhinga which stretches its wings in a similar manner to dry its feathers which lack waterproof characteristics of other birds.

The Roseate Spoonbill (note the middle bird's interest) above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

While observing the eagle's nest I again saw the Blue-headed Vireo which was favoring the seeds of a nearby Gumbo-limbo tree, with the bird both eating and regurgitating them.

Although this tree is known to be used for a great number of reasons including carousel horses, medicinal purposes, and Haitian musical drums, I pondered at the time while observing the vireo if the brightly colored seeds of the tree may have been cultivated by native American Indians as a resource for pigment in their paints.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

If you have the opportunity to offer a landscape addition in your yard where climate should be of concern, consider my favorite shrub known as Pineapple Guava (Acca sellowiana) which is incredibly fragrant while in bloom.

In the past, I have observed the Red-belied Woodpecker as another bird species that regurgitates seeds.

The Blue-headed Vireo above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

Other bird species easily captivated my attention as a Yellow-throated Warbler was observed for the first time in over four years, coincidentally within a few miles from where I observed it last.

I also had the opportunity to photograph the Downy Woodpecker in the company of the much more common Red-bellied.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

The Downy Woodpecker is quite distinctive in the sound it makes which would allow its identification without seeing it.

Another rare observation was made with the sighting of an American Kestrel.

The Northern Mockingbird above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

When I first caught a glimpse of the bird as it flew overhead, while not immediately able to identify it, I knew that it was unusual with regard to its flight characteristics.

I learned some valuable lessons in camera settings that need to be used in the future to offer consistently improved images.

The Gulf Fritillary Butterfly above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

It was interesting to observe as well the carcass of a turtle that possibly had its shell penetrated by the Black Vulture in the tree directly above it.

Though I've only picked up and kept one shell from the beach in my travels, it was interesting this week to meet someone that told me I had to give up my Alphabet Cone if I found one.

The American Kestrel above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

I'll leave the reason why a mystery.

I was particularly intrigued with the workings of photo editing this week (which I attempt to keep to a minimum of crop and sharpening) as I attempted to remove a color cast in the Downy Woodpecker image included in this post where utilizing CS5, the opposite of what I thought should happen occurred.

The turtle carcass above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

Though I'm not sure what caused the color cast to begin with as it's not often produced in my images taken, the hue/contrast feature in CS5 minimized the effect by moving the slider darker after selecting the color I thought closest to that I wished to remove.

The fledgling eagle is progressing well.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in February 2011.

December 2010 Low Tide At Estero Lagoon

Prior to a potential predawn departure to observe and photograph wildlife often requires if I can see stars clearly in the night sky.

The European Starling above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Weather conditions that I often hear on the radio often contradict what is actually seen at the time.

A forecast for the day in the climate of southwest Florida is given little credence though a link to a weather related website you may wish to investigate may be seen by clicking here.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

A day this past week which was cold and dreary and an initial opportunity to get into the field for some wildlife observation was foregone for warmth inside.

Day two was initially overcast, but the clouds dissipated to offer an opportunity for wildlife photography that I prefer to shoot in.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Though conditions would have been ideal at the time to explore Bunche Beach Preserve, I chose to see what might be happening at the less frequently visited Estero Lagoon.

I've found visits to Estero Lagoon to be extremely rewarding at any time of day or tide conditions.

The explorer above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

The late afternoon visit to the lagoon this week was at an unusually low tide.

There happened to be a remarkable lunar eclipse that would occur early the next morning which I took a gander at for a few seconds at 0330 local (an impressive sight).

The full moon (required for a lunar eclipse) above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Upon arrival at Estero Lagoon, a large number of European Starling were perched on the power lines along the adjacent highway.

There was a disappointing absence of the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron that is occasionally seen near the Holiday Inn at the lagoon.

The scene above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

With the water level as low as it was, I'm thinking that there simply weren't enough fish to attract abundant wading birds.

The fish that I've seen captured by wading birds regrettably appear to have been getting smaller.

The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

The abnormally cold conditions in winter months the last couple of years may be the cause.

Several photographers were about and I learned that one was from Vancouver and another was from Eastern Europe while I regrettably don't remember their names.

The Great Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Although a good representation of many of the species of bird of the area was seen, by far the highlight of my visit to Estero Lagoon was my observation of Chelsea Hall.

I first saw Chelsea approaching the lagoon with her camera in hand.

Chelsea above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Chelsea was an unmistakable presence on the scene with her sense of purpose.

From the moment I captured an image of her to the distraction of wildlife walking right in front of me, Chelsea was gone.

Chelsea above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

I looked around to see that she was on the beach headed south.

There were many people in the immediate area shelling, relaxing on the beach, jogging or cycling by.

Chelsea above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Chelsea told me that she was from North Carolina and that she was using the Nikon D5000.

She also noted that she has always had an interest in photography and that her boyfriend was a world traveler.

Chelsea above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

A particular subject of interest to her was a sea creature washed up on the beach.

I waded the Gulf water in an attempt to get a better photograph of her.

The enthusiast above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

As we chatted briefly, a sheller wandered by to place the creature in a bag while I advised she release the living thing which she did.

I believe that Chelsea will have a remarkable record of wildlife imagery that I would be glad to link to if she ever creates such an opportunity.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

Chelsea was extremely comfortable handling her gear under rugged conditions.

As the sun approached the horizon, I had a few more minutes of optimal light to observe a Tricolored Heron that unfortunately remained at a poor angle but for a brief second for an acceptable shot.

The sunset above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in December 2010.

My learned use of flash remains in its infancy.

Feature: Tigertail Beach Lagoon

Marco Island's Tigertail Beach Lagoon is located within Tigertail Beach Park at the northwestern edge of Florida's 10,000 Islands on the Gulf of Mexico.

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.