War And Peace

I didn't see the Scarlet Ibis this past week within a couple of hours of viewing time available prior to meeting up with Dan and Lorraine at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers.

Dan and Lorraine above were photographed at Lakes Regional Park in May 2010.

The White Ibis were in great numbers as expected with not as many other species making their way through that morning as in prior weeks.

My other opportunity for wildlife observation was late in the week when I debated which venue to visit.

Peter and Jane above were photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in May 2010.

Since I hadn't been to Bunche Beach Preserve in a long while, I made a journey there in hopes of seeing some wading bird action and shore birds.

Upon my arrival to the venue it was exciting to see that the enhancements to the preserve are apparently done (restrooms, boardwalk and boat ramp).

Stan visiting from Arizona above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in May 2010.

To the east I observed a photographer named Peter capturing images of a Great Blue Heron.

At the parking area I spoke with Jane, who I learned was Peter's mom and has been a member of the Caloosa Birding Club since the 1980's and quite engaging at the age of 91.

Stan and Norman above were photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in May 2010.

While Jane lives in Fort Myers, I learned Peter was visiting from Salem, New York.

Wildlife was very sparse aside from the GBH and a small flock of what I thought were Sanderlings that made a very brief stop directly in front of us that Jane thought were Western Sandpipers.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in May 2010.

I made my way west along the shore and decided to say hello to another photographer relaxing on a chair in the flats.

Stan told me he was visiting from Page, Arizona, and was going to spend the week in Florida.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in May 2010.

I recommended he attempt to photograph the Scarlet Ibis at Lakes Regional Park as well as Snail Kite at Harns Marsh Preserve.

It was interesting to hear that Stan had been a participant in a photo instructional tour with Jim Neiger who I know by name and seeing his images via the Bulletin of Artie Morris.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in May 2010.

Stan allowed me to view images of the Burrowing Owl on his camera that he had captured near the Cape Coral Library earlier in the day.

As we spoke, another visitor of Bunche Beach stopped by to say hello.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in May 2010.

Norman, 82 and a local, was quite excited by Stan's photo gear.

He told us of his service in the Army with the 24th Infantry in 1947 and photographing primarily volcanic scenery during his tour overseas.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in May 2010.

He also noted that he didn't photograph the natives as he was more interested in getting to know them.

Observations at Bunche Beach also included an Osprey, White Ibis, and Black Skimmer.

Eight Days and Counting

I'm not sure if the Scarlet Ibis I observed last week was a hybrid (Scarlet X White Ibis) although I believe the bird to be pure as it was quite brilliant in its red.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

My effort to observe it again at Lakes Regional Park this week was met with failure.

There was action however in the bathing area, as I now consider it, as the White Ibis in particular flew in from their roosts from the northern area of the park.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

The grackles were of course active in the reeds from the start and noisy for my entire stay.

The first ibis flew in after I had settled down on the sidewalk of the park with a concern for the legs of the tripod firmly planted for the low light conditions and the slower shutter speed that would be required.

The White Ibis with juvenile and Mottled Duck above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

It wasn't soon after that I moved the gear into the grass and then the sand to be more comfortable and attempt to have a better view of the wildlife with the rising sun somewhat more directly behind me.

The White Ibis flew in from their roosts and landed in great numbers including numerous juveniles.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

I noticed in almost every case that the first thing the ibis did was to take a drink of water after arriving on the scene.

There was a lot of opportunity for me to practice capturing images of birds in flight.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

In addition to the ibis, I also observed a pair of Tricolored Heron, one seemingly much smaller than the other.

An Osprey was seen overhead being chased by a grackle.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

I believe I made my first sighting of four Least Bitterns, two pairs in flight, but was unable to photograph them.

A Swallow-tailed Kite was also in the area and offered me the opportunity for a few shots as it flew from the west and then north.

The Common Moorhen above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

Behind me at one point, a pair of Red-bellied Woodpecker were quite vocal and hide and seek in a palm tree.

Four Mottled Duck took claim to some space in the shallow water and seemed to be more dominant of the territory than the ibis.

The Swallow-tailed Kite above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

There was also a Least Sandpiper very seemingly out of place in all the activity which I'm surprised by as this species is considered a winter visitor to my area.

At one point the bird settled down in a clump of grass in a seemingly nesting behavior.

The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

A Common Moorhen was also making its rounds and occasionally made its distinctive call.

The Great Blue Heron arrived on the scene to ply its trade in the reeds and was not well received by the grackles that harassed it.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

Additionally observed in flight at Lakes Park were Great Egret, Double-crested Cormorant, Anhinga, and Snowy Egret.

A Little Blue Heron with great color in its lores was the last to arrive at the time I was speaking with Bob Chamberlain.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

I found out that Bob is a member of the Fort Myers camera club.

Bob had asked me if I knew what PSA was and I have to admit I didn't have an immediate answer.

Bob Chamberlain above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

He was referring to the Photography Society of America of course while I had visualized the PRE and PSE icons fresh to my computer with the installation of Photoshop Elements 8.0.

I later found out after visiting the camera club's website that Bob is a PSA representative.

The Common Grackle juvenile with Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Bob's wife Bonnie who told me of the delicacies she prepares for the camera club's meetings.

I had the great fortune of hearing from Hemant Kishan, a member of PSA, this past week advising me of his sighting of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near STA-5.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

Hemant also told me that he was able to see the Burrowing Owl at Cape Coral and has images of this species and the flycatcher he has recently photographed which can be accessed here.

I've had the opportunity to use Energizer's latest rechargeable batteries these past weeks and find them inferior to the 2450 mHa available as the flash doesn't seem to cycle as quickly as the 2450 version.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

The newer version is advertised to be able to be recharged more than others of its type.

I've had the opportunity to see the video recording of the mating Burrowing Owls I made last week and as feared the quality is not what I had hoped.

The White Ibis juvenile above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

I will nonetheless attempt to have it available to view at YouTube which is another project I am excited to learn about.

Among the most interesting and must see wildlife videos I've seen, titled "Battle at Kruger," is one available to view at Ken Conger's wildlife blog and can be accessed here, and be sure to see it full screen for best viewing.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

The title of this post is the executive branch's response time to the ecological disaster in the making in the Gulf of Mexico.

The potential impact on Florida's west coast and panhandle is quite chilling to fathom.

The Great Egret above was photographed at Lakes Regional Park in April 2010.

Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana will certainly be adversely impacted as well.

Bunche Beach Revisited

Does lightning have a smell? I can't say I know the answer. The accompanying rain certainly can. It is one of my favorite aromas.

That unique fragrance caused by water interacting with mold, which I read as the cause somewhere, is sometimes experienced in advance of your getting wet if you're lucky.

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

A return visit to Bunche Beach Preserve was enjoyable as usual while the smell of of rain was absent. The skies have been predominantly overcast this summer in southwest Florida. Not advantageous for wildlife photography outdoors for sure, but I recall wildlife photographer Arthur Morris stating that he likes such conditions at times.

I had arrived at the preserve a little earlier in the afternoon than has been my opportunity in the past. It was a temptation I couldn't resist as the bird action has been rewarding this summer.

The White Ibis above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2009.

I will only visit the preserve at or near low tide when the birds are in greater numbers feeding in the shallows. I passed a photographer on my walk along the beach to the west channel whom I told should return at the more opportune time for observing the wildlife with low tide only merely hours away. Particularly to hopefully see the Black-crowned Night-Heron that I had observed on my last visit to the preserve.

There was evidently a storm brewing to the north which gave no evidence of movement which I thought would spare an interruption of my observations at the beach. I was wrong.

The White Ibis above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2009.

Less than an hour after arriving and making the walk past the west channel, the lightning was impressive. Within minutes of my first sighting of it, the lightning was too close for comfort. Within 500 feet would be my guess.

Not a good time to be in the water. The third strike was the decisive one to make the half mile retreat to the car when the nearly instantaneous thunder had every bird in the area take flight with the exception of a Reddish Egret that chose to stand its ground.

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

Once in the confines of the car, I held my ground and waited things out for about 45 minutes when it appeared the worst was over and I trekked back to my favored place at the preserve.

Virtually all of the small shore birds that were in greater numbers than I had seen before at the preserve, were gone. The Reddish Egret was still exactly where I had left him, but then in the company of a greater number of White Ibis than I had seen before anywhere. There were a few Snowy Egrets in the group as well.

The moon above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2009.

The most memorable events of the day included the flight of the 74 Ibis I had counted in my immediate vicinity, with others beyond, that took flight instantaneously when a Great Blue Heron apparently walked a little too close to them. And most curiously, the appearance of three Black Skimmers were seen at what seemed the exact moment the sun had set. They strafed me on several occasions obviously under lighting conditions uncooperative for capturing more wildlife images.

The photographer I had seen earlier returned at my suggestion, but he was not prepared to get in the water as I only observed him from a great distance while he was able to photograph at very close range what appeared to be a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on the beach. I'm sure he considered the return to the preserve worthwhile. The BKNH remained absent on this day.

The Willet above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2009.

On the final walk back to the parking area, I briefly observed a few humans in near darkness as annoying insects including sand gnats and mosquitos were abundant. The pests were extremely voracious as the air was very still and had me flee the area quicker than I would have liked.

At most other times of year, there is at least a strong breeze that would keep such a nuisance at bay at this venue.