Estero Lagoon Locals

Very windy conditions on the Florida Gulf Coast were again experienced this week as a storm front passed over the Florida Peninsula offering much needed rain though very little accumulated in the Fort Myers area.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

The weather was otherwise ideal for an afternoon visit to Estero Lagoon early in the week.

I found haven from the wind by settling in the water exiting the lagoon into the gulf near a clump of mangroves on the beach.

The Osprey above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

From this position I was able to study a surprisingly docile Reddish Egret that was often wary of the beach patrons passing by.

I was able to observe a number of White Ibis, a Snowy Egret, and a Mottled Duck work the lagoon.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

A very rarely seen Herring Gull made a close flyby over the lagoon as it headed south along the beach.

An Osprey made a landing behind a dune in the lagoon and appeared back into view carrying a stick for nest building.

The Herring Gull above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

This was a treat to observe as I thought this activity had peaked a couple of months ago.

While it's been evident that snow birds (tourists) have been returning home these past couple of weeks, there still was a lot of foot traffic at the lagoon.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

A pair of visitors from Miami photographed the Reddish Egret with me for a brief time.

The Roseate Spoonbill failed to arrive on the scene as I commented was a possibility.

The Miamian above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

After walking a few hundred yards to the south, I settled down to study a pair of Snowy Egret and the Reddish Egret that had flown in to take advantage of the incoming tide.

A Ruddy Turnstone flew onto the scene for a brief moment as the sun was close to setting.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

I chose to photograph the waders directly into the sun in the final hour of my stay at the lagoon for what I had hoped would offer some interesting images.

This proved to be a problem with the reflection of the sun in the water so bright that I needed to use manual focus as auto focus couldn't distinguish the birds from the surf.

The Michiganian above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

The beach goers near Estero Lagoon are often visiting from other parts of the country or the world.

It's always interesting to speak with them when the chance arises.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in April 2011.

Bald eagle family at the cemetery - Skywatch Friday

One of the parents in the tree.

Baby looking around.

Stretching it's wings.

One of the babies.

Trying to scratch.

Recently I stopped by the cemetery in St. Petersburg on my way home from a day at the beach to check on the baby eagles.. It was way too sunny out to be taking pictures in the middle of the afternoon but hey, I was in neighborhood and couldn't pass up a peek at how the babies are doing. So, most of these pictures were taken right into the sun since the baby was facing that way. Baby eagles take their first flight between the ages of 10 and 13 weeks.  Approximately 40% of young eagles do not survive their first flight. I guess they crash into something or don't make it back to the nest.  After their first flight, they will spend 4 to 5 more weeks taking short flights around the nest before they are gone for good. The babies won't get that white head until they are around 5 years old. I'm not sure when these babies were born. Maybe mid to late January so they should be flying by now.  Hopefully, I can catch them again before they are gone for good.

For more skyscape photography from around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

Lakeland's Beautiful Mascot - the mute swan.

I had to post some pictures of the beautiful mute swans that swim around Lake Morton in Lakeland.  You have to wonder where all of these swans came from since this is central Florida. I looked it up and you can read about it here History of swans in Lakeland.  They say there are over 200 swans there now since 1954. There are nesting pens set up around the lake so that only the swans can get in from the water. A few swans were sitting on nests when I was there a couple of weeks ago. I'd like to go back in another month or so to look for baby swans. If you stop by there, just watch where you step. There's a lot of swan poop in the grass along the way (and duck, geese, etc poop as well).

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

This barred owl had so much personality. The trainer would talk to him and he would look at her with these amazing expressions.

Injured hawk was recouping outside.

Female american kestrel was a permanent resident.

A male kestrel.

This little screech owl is missing an eye.

Barn owls in their home at the center.

The eagle above has a twisted beak.

After my stop at Gatorland in Orlando, I decided to drive north to visit the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland. It was just outside of downtown Orlando. I had read so many articles about injured eagles and other birds being taken there that I wanted to see the place. There's a handful of large enclosures for permanent residents. In the back you see the even larger flight rehab buildings but you cannot go in those buildings. They don't want the recuperating birds exposed to visiting humans which makes sense. The place sits on a small lake and you can walk on a boardwalk out over the lake to a small covered dock. It was nice sitting out there resting for a while. These guys stay busy helping injured birds. Stop by there if you are ever in Orlando. 

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

Go and check out more MyWorld images at the MyWorld Site!   http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/.

Also,  see more birds at 

Ducks and gulls at Lake Morton

Ring necked duck

I'm not sure what this is. I couldn't find it in any of my bird books. Maybe some type of mallard?

Ring billed gulls catching some bread. That duck better duck!

I think the ibis said "Hey lady, did you bring any peanut butter to go with this bread?".

A group of male and female ring necked ducks. They were chasing after the bread that people were throwing.

Nice ball on the head.

It all starts with a person strolling into the park with a bag of bread. Chaos happens. Ducks that are normally shy of humans come swimming up. Geese start attacking your ankles.(That happened to me the first time I came to this lake. I was taking pictures and a goose started banging on my ankle. Startled me.) Gulls start diving everyone close by. Ibis by the tons come flying in. Should it be illegal to feed the wildlife? It probably is. I know it's cute and fun for the little kids but do the ducks need to fill up on bread all day. On a Saturday afternoon there are tons of people there feeding them with bread. The geese are the most obnoxious ones. After the one banged his beak on my ankle I stay clear of the crowd and take pictures with my longer lens.

Are they really wildlife if they are being fed on a daily basis?

White pelicans at Lake Morton

Beautiful white pelicans at Lake Morton

The swan just had to get in the picture.

Floating around.

All lined up.

You'd think he'd fall off.

Lakeland is a small town in the middle of Florida. It's halfway between Tampa and Orlando. Their city mascot is the mute swan. There's a small lake in the middle of the city that has a large swan population. People have picnics and walk around the lake and generally hang out with the swans. The swans get fed a lot. Now there's a huge population of white ibis, geese and ducks that are there for a handout. You might also come across a few white pelicans as well. I don't know if these white pelicans migrate back up north for the summer like all of the other white pelicans in the state do. I was here early last summer and there were still a few white pelicans hanging around. White pelicans eat different than brown pelicans do. Brown pelicans dive into the water for their fish. White pelicans swim around the surface and scoop up their fish. Often you see brown pelicans alone but white pelicans are usually in groups. These white pelicans looked pretty. They don't seem to have a rough life here at the lake. 

More on the other fowl at Lake Morton later.

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.