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.

2009 Year In Review I

JANUARY
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2009.

The beginning of the year was an exceptionally exciting time as I was getting the feel for some newly acquired photography gear that would give me great pleasure and grief. I made a trip to San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve (SCBBBP) early in the month and one to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve towards the end.

FEBRUARY
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Picayune State Forest in February 2009.

A number of Great Florida Birding Trail sites were visited in this month including those in the area of the Florida Everglades while nearly getting lost in Picayune State Forest. I also made a trip to "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge where I observed the Common Merganser for the first time. I made a trip to the east coast where I visited Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center (both venues highly recommended at this time of year). Shore and wading birds were observed in beautiful breeding condition at SCBBBP.

MARCH
The Northern Mockingbird with Bald Eagle and juvenile above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park in March 2009.

I made six trips to Lovers Key State Park to observe the successful nesting of a pair of Bald Eagle fledglings. One of the most exciting sights I've made in all my birding was simply watching an Osprey aggressively defending its territory against an adult eagle. The aerobatics were stunning and never to be forgotten. My trips to National Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the middle and towards the end of the month offered some extraordinary views from the boardwalk of the wading birds and alligators in very close proximity to each other in the dwindling waters of the "swamp." It was at this time I realized how essentially critical it is to be using flash with one's photography there. To end the month, I made a "day" trip to Key West visiting three clusters of the South Region of the Great Florida Birding Trail and six venues within them. I captured an image of a Palm Warbler at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center in Marathon that I would later enter in Audubon's inaugural photo contest.

APRIL
The Great Egret juvenile above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2009.

I visited Lovers Key State Park, Lakes Park, SCBBBP, Bowditch Point, and Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, at least once. Without doubt, the highlights were the visits to "Bird Island" at SCBBBP including one with fellow wildlife enthusiast and photographer, Alena King, whom had earlier told me of the prolific breeding activity at Bunche Beach Preserve. It was at this time that there was a shutter mechanism failure with my Canon 1dm3 camera coincidentally three months to the day after my first shots with it.

MAY
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Tigertail Beach in May 2009.

A follow up trip was made to "Bird Island" with Alena at the beginning of the month. The experience for me was extraordinary in the observation of hundreds of nests and the diversity of bird species using them. I used the Nikon D80 solely on these trips to the island with ease of carrying it and the accompanying 70-300mm lens on the Kayak. Also in the early part of the month I visited 16 venues within five clusters of the West Region of the Great Florida Birding Trail (slightly North of the Tampa Bay area and South). An image of a pair of Laughing Gull taken at Sand Key Park in Clearwater would be a second of four images submitted to Audubon. Three trip to Lovers Key State Park were made with hopes to observe the Least Tern breeding on the beach. Their numbers were dramatically lower than those seen in 2007. My first trip to Tigertail Beach was also made for the first time early in the month.

JUNE
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park in June 2009.

Early in the month, I made my second trip to Tigertail Beach that was cut short by a thunderstorm that began to unleash a maelstrom a mere hundred yards from the car. A final trip to Lovers Key State Park was made, not to happen again for six months. The nesting Least Tern activity at Lovers Key was regrettably minimal. Three additional trips were also made to Bunche Beach Preserve. While I've yet to visit Tigertail Beach in the winter months, I greatly favor Bunche Beach by far for its wildlife opportunities in comparing these two similar venues as I've experienced thus far.

Random Thoughts II

This past week was one where I disappointingly failed to make a trip to see some wildlife action on the Great Florida Birding Trail. I didn't even make a short trip to any of the dozen venues virtually only a stone's throw from me where there was more than one opportunity to do so.

The juvenile Great Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2009.

I spent a lot of time cleaning things up at this blog site which I've been meaning to do for a while. What I did was hopefully create an improved visual appeal for you by having all "labels" noted in lower case.

I also added color to the description below the images to distinguish them from the body of the posts. In addition, I have added more links and now have all the images uniformly placed within the posts.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Tigertail Beach in May 2009.

While this blog entry is uploaded without images within it, many hours in the days ahead will be devoted to adding photography which I hope you find enjoyable. I also added the option for you to listen to some of my favorite music this past week. I hope you find the gadget interesting and consider using the Playlist player yourself.

Tide tables indicate that low tide will be extremely favorable for bird action at Bunche Beach Preserve in the early daylight hours in the first week of October. Take advantage of this if you can.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2009.

Low tide is the best time to visit Bunche Beach Preserve as the shore and wading birds congregate in great numbers on the flats. It has been a long time now since I've walked east from the parking area as my experience has proven that birds will be much more prolific before the west channel and beyond, although a trip to the east channel should not be overlooked.

It was actually "within" the east channel where I consider some of my better photographs to have been taken at this venue. Based on my experience, wading birds flying from within the mangroves of the preserve into San Carlos Bay from either channel can be expected with equal frequency.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2009.

Bunche Beach Preserve is currently undergoing major Lee County Land Conservation 20/20 improvements which include facilities and the ability to launch a canoe from within the preserve along waterways that should prove extremely rewarding for wildlife observation.

It will be exciting to see similar improvements at Harns Marsh Preserve in the not too distant future, another must see venue in this corner of the state of Florida. If you visit here prior to the construction of facilities, be forewarned that you are advised to drink a lot of water if you traverse the 578 acre boundary of the preserve which may require a rushed exit after an unexpectedly long visit. Only foot traffic is permitted here although you will likely be passed by construction vehicles.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2009.

There has been a lot of construction at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, which I don't believe to be disruptive to the birds frequenting the venue. This is a place that you will ideally see waders up close with your canoe or kayak (ideally in the summer when the birds are nesting), or with one of the watercraft available for rent.

Lakes Park should prove ideal for observation of migratory species potentially seen along the park's trails. Significant presence of the park has been made with construction of an entrance to it along Summerlin Road opposite Lakewood Boulevard. It's extremely unfortunate that there appears to be no parking accommodations for this entrance which makes the "highlands" of the park immediately accessible, but is otherwise an ideal entry point for pedestrian traffic (from where, I'm not sure).

The juvenile Osprey above was photographed at Tigertail Beach in June 2009.

Another similar venue to Lakes Park is Eagle Lakes Community Park in Naples which I strongly encourage you to visit if you are perhaps already visiting the much more renowned Tigertail Beach on Marco Island. Upon my relatively few visits to ELCP, the water levels were low due to unseasonably low rainfall, although I was never disappointed with a visit there.

There are numerous wildlife venues within this haven that is southwest Florida. Within it is Tigertail Beach which is also a must see venue in the area. This birding hotspot is interestingly not considered worth visiting during the Least and Black Tern breeding season (May-Aug) while a long walk north along the beach is required to see their breeding grounds. The juveniles will be most prolific in July. Low tide is again the best time to visit as the waders and shorebirds in the lagoon will be abundant. If you're lucky, you will see dozens of Roseate Spoonbill, while their plumage is most striking in the winter months.

The juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

I have not been able to corroborate word I've gotten that there is an early draw down of the waters of Ding Darling NWR. The purpose of which would be to attract more wildlife in the upcoming migration season. This is good news to me and should please wildlife photographer, Artie Morris, who has announced that he will not be visiting the venue in the 2010 season for the first time in nearly a decade. Certainly news too late for him to change his itinerary.

My few visits to DDNWR have never been a disappointment. While five mile Wildlife Drive is very convenient, wherein you may never choose to get out of your car, you may also walk extensively here along the drive or choose to walk or bike Wildlife Trail. You may even launch a canoe into the northeastern portion of the refuge's estuary which is bordered by Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay. Don't hurry your travels here. In fact, I recommend you make a second or third drive through the refuge within a day's visit as you will likely have a completely different experience each time. This is another place to attempt to time your visit to low tide.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2009.

I regret not getting this blog entry posted yesterday as promised. I fell asleep prior to completing the entry due to fatigue from my recent shifts at work. I'm actually amazed that I was able to rest through what was the most impressive electrical storm of this past summer. My ears are still ringing from the thunder.

While I suspect it would be most advisable to write these posts on Blogspot itself (which I currently don't do), where there would be apparent automatic saves of the draft, I was able to save my effort within seconds of a power failure. This was made possible through the experience of losing text numerous times in the past.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.

I also, this past week, spent a lot of time uploading wildlife images to my primary photography site at pbase's data center in North Carolina which coincidentally had a power failure itself. As of this writing, links to pbase you may attempt to utilize in my previous blog entries will fail to function properly as pbase is still trying to get its main data server back online.

I'm optimistic that the fall 2009 bird migration season will be fortuitous in observing many bird species that are rarely or otherwise never seen during the summer months.

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.