Bunche Beach - Bald Eagle day!

It is low tide and the Lee Co Bird Patrol is offering its monthly beach/bird walk. The exciting part about going birding is that you never know for sure what you will see - yet every single event seems to be better than the last, this day was no exception.....come and take a peek....

Plovers - in the back is the Piping Plover, in the front is the Semi-palmated Plover.

Overhead we heard the Bald Eagles before we saw them....landing in a far away spit of sand with the Sanibel Lighthouse in the background.

They were quite vocal.

Checking the surrounding

Getting ready

After a bit I diverted my attention to the Marbled Godwit that was by my side.

Amazing how it can sink its head to find morsels of food.

Must be worth it, check the smile on his face! Then I heard uproar from the crowd - I looked up and saw the Bald Eagles copulating.

In Eagle's world, it is quickly over and I barely  managed to get the end result.

Overhead, a Kingfisher was chattering and aiming for lunch.

 What a treat! Today was Bald Eagle day and everyone was delighted, myself included.

A visit to the Shipley/Pond Apple Trails

Now that turtle season is coming to a screeching halt, I have more time and more energy to spend on the trails and revisit some of my old favorites. It has been several months since I last visited the Shipley & Pond Apple Trail and today seemed to be a good day....so, come and visit with me...

The sun is rising, the colors are changing and the birds are coming alive by the look of wings in the sky.....

A pair of Black-crowned Night Heron flew above me and I wondered where they will spend the day.

Looks like the Dairy Queen Eagles are back in town - this one perched in an Australian Pine while the other 

called from the depth of the Pond Apple Trails....I leisurely made my way down.

I was able to skip and jump over these puddles but when I finished crossing the boardwalk I had to retreat because there was no end in sight as to where a dry walking spot could be.

 However, I was in for a sweet surprise....not one but two Ovenbirds were spotted.

On my way back I also enjoyed watching some of the wild flowers that grows here and there along the trail.

I made it back to the retention pond area and spent some time watching the bird life .... many Anhinga and Little Blue were perched on top of the roped fence area...a Green Heron perched too.

The Bald Eagle was still holding his post.

Some interesting fungi growing on a tree trunk, sharing space with a Christmas Vine.

One of my favorite wild flower: Lance-leaved arrowhead, it blooms from Apr-Dec by ponds, rivers etc.

And the Seagrape tree which permeates the air with the sweet smell of ripe grapes - luring me to taste a few - yum .... sweet and tart, not much to eat since it has a large pit inside but the taste is heavenly.

Suspended above the water was an Orb Weaver - its web catching the sun's rays while sparkling away.

 A family of Red-bellied Woodpecker were busy feeding and learning the ropes - they were fun to watch.

The Bailey Homestead Preserves is still undergoing renovation and preparation for grand opening - perhaps later this year.

On the other side of the trail - many frogs were heard and seen jumping away as I approached, making me smile as I enjoyed their serenade.

The man made pond is ready for wildlife to come.

A deck has been built in front of the pond - looks like a good spot to rock the day away.

The gazebo is filled with information, four benches has been added since I was here last.

It is refreshing to see that 68% of Sanibel Island is preserved and I am proud to call this place: Home, Sweet Home.

Take a look at my E-Bird List and see what I feasted my eyes on.

The early riser gets the bird

I just love this time of the year, the sky is clearer and the air is cooler - there are more birds and the trail is still quiet.

My visit to the Bailey Tract and the Sanibel Garden Preserve this morning provided nice surprises.

Doesn't this Mockingbird look lovely as he is being kissed by the morning light?

I guess I could say the same about this Eastern Phoebe, his song was a nice bonus too.

Several White Ibis adopted this bare tree, the Osprey decided it was just too crowded and left.

I liked how the clouds/humidity started to move in the area - it sure created interesting hues in the vista.

A young Bald Eagle perched on the tower - which provided me the answer as to why all of a sudden all the birds left.

When the dust settled a few unknowing Eurasian Collared Doves came to roost nearby.

On my way back I stumbled upon a House Wren right out in the open, he had the better viewing side.

A regal Merlin digesting his dragonfly.

You know the ducks are underway when you see a nice crowd of Blue-winged Teal.....I'm ready.