While typically attempting to highlight a particular focus of interest here in Southwest Florida, I'm this week able to report on a handful of venues of great interest to me and hopefully you as well.
The Savannah Sparrow above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.I missed seeing
Tom Obrock at STA5 last week as I would especially find it an enviable opportunity to accompany such an accomplished birder as himself to learn from.
Frank Constantin made his rounds of the local area while I regret not being able to meet up with him either.
The Snail Kite above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.Devils Garden Bird Park is a venue I was compelled to visit while I had the chance after hearing enthusiastic comments about it.
Devils Garden was officially opened to public wildlife tours in late 2010.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.The full day (9-4) tour was made with Jose Santiago as guide while accompanied by a fun couple from Minnesota.
I had thought Snail Kite were prolific at Harns Marsh Preserve, and then STA5, but Devil's Garden has the best opportunity to view this species of bird at close range I've yet to see.
The Limpkin above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.Jose told about the farming endeavors made on a visibly small portion of the 7000 acres that encompass Devils Garden.
He noted the hunting characteristics of hawks preying on doves that are flushed from the stands of sugar cane that serve as wind breaks for the vegetable plantings.
The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.The tour additionally traversed the working ranch's wetlands, tree hammocks, and prairie wildlife habitats.
A stunning Northern Harrier was observed though stayed tantalizingly just out of photographic range.
The Red-shouldered Hawk in its nest above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.A never before seen nest of Red-shouldered Hawk was a highlight of the tour.
In addition, a nice sighting of a pair of American Bittern at very close range was made at Devils Garden.
The alligator above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.Sandhill Crane, White Pelican, Eastern Meadowlark, Savannah Sparrow, Osprey, Tricolored Heron, Crested Caracara and additionally seen wading and shore birds were welcome as well.
A future visit to Devils Garden will perhaps involve my investigation of one of the venue's covered viewing platforms.
The American Bittern above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.Additional visits to the venue will be required before I'm confident in "designing my own tour" of Devils Garden to take full advantage of its offerings.
Jose also commented that we have had little rain these past weeks.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Devils Garden in February 2011.This certainly doesn't favor Devils Garden and its birds when compared to the conditions at STA 5 where the water is intentionally pumped into its cells.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was overdue for a visit and thus spent a morning making my way along the boardwalk at this venue that I strongly encourage you to visit.
The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in February 2011.The Carolina Wren is a species expected to be seen here, but is too often missed.
The Pileated Woodpecker was also a species of interest at Six Mile Cypress as it foraged near Otter Pond with the water's namesake yet to be seen.
The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in February 2011.A follow-up trip to J.N. Ding Darling NWR this week was timed to take advantage of a low tide which I've found to offer best conditions for wildlife viewing at this jewel on Sanibel Island.
My expectations were exceeded with a greater abundance of wading and shore birds than ever seen before along Wildlife Drive.
The White Pelican above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.At first light, it was particularly entertaining to observe the feeding behavior of snowy, great, and Reddish Egrets, not to mention the White Pelicans at very close range.
I found myself particularly entranced as well by no less than a dozen Red-breasted Mergansers that I have not had the opportunity to study at such close range and for such an extended period of time before.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.The White Pelicans were much closer to the drive than seen before with their trek northward soon to be underway.
It was interesting to observe Tricolored Heron to have dominance over Little Blue Heron with control over a pair of logs fallen in the water.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.A very unusual observation of a Double-crested Cormorant was made where it is undetermined whether the bird was engaged in nesting, playful, or feeding behavior with a stick.
I overheard a refuge volunteer note that
low tide occurred at 6:00am while low tide took place at 1:00am at nearby Matanzas Pass.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.A 1:00-2:00am low tide at Matanzas Pass is thus the time we need to be noting ideally with the refuge opening at 7:00am while remembering that Ding Darling is closed to the public on Fridays.
Great numbers of shorebirds flew in to the primary area observed while many dozens of visitors had moved on.
The Osprey above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.Closing out my wildlife observations for the week, I had the chance to meet up with
Hemant Kishan visiting the area for observation of Bald Eagle 862 and its nest at Big Carlos Pass.
The adult eagles were regrettably not cooperative in staying within view of the nest through much of the early morning while the juvenile laid low.
The Western Sandpiper above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.After investigating New Pass nearly two miles south where Double-crested Cormorant with Brown Pelicans and an Osprey hunting for a meal were primarily observed, Hemant and I headed to the southern end of Estero Lagoon at his recommendation.
The target species was Snowy Plover with anticipation of seeing more from my perspective as I had never walked on this particular ground before.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2011.A small flock of Royal Tern was initially seen (with one of the species in the group sporting near prime breeding plumage) in the company of quite a few Forster's Tern with a solitary Common Tern and a couple of Laughing Gull.
Numerous resting Western Sandpiper were in this group of resting birds as well.
Hemant Kishan above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in February 2011.The walk was led by Hemant from Big Carlos Pass whom was very familiar with his surroundings and the wildlife that could be seen here while many personal walks from the Holiday Inn south never reached this point.
When Hemant returned after walking ahead of me, he noted that he had seen Red-breasted Merganser and American Oystercatcher which I would attempt to photograph as he left the beach to meet up with his family.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in February 2011.Hemant also told me that he made a rare sighting of and photographed a Great Black-backed Gull near the Big Carlos Pass bridge adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico.
I finally heard from the USGS bird banding laboratory late this week regarding my inquiry of eagle 862 with my surprise that they are requesting additional information from me.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in February 2011.I'll be seeking a more timely and efficient resource to submit information about and learn of banded birds and their history.
All of the wildlife venues mentioned above are deserving of as many repeat visits as possible.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in February 2011.I will include an image of eagle 862's band engraving in next week's blog entry.
