Feature: Little Estero Lagoon

Little Estero Lagoon, also known as Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area (with the CWA designation by the state of Florida in 1992), is one of 15 such areas of concern in the state.

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

The primary purpose of such a classification is to protect nesting and foraging wildlife that may be imperiled by the inadvertent or otherwise disturbance of species which could result in a decline in their numbers unnecessarily.

Critical Wildlife Areas are under the authority of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.

Little Estero Lagoon has its nesting species, which include Least Tern, Snowy and Piping Plovers, Willet, and Sea Turtles, cordoned off with stakes, ribbon, and signs, as prudent, from April 1 through August 31. Once the Sea Turtle lays its eggs, it returns to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

I didn't observe any Sea Turtle nests near the lagoon this past year although there were successful nests at Lovers Key State Park immediately to the south.

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

Brie Ochoa, Park Services Specialist at Lovers Key, informed me that the Least Tern seemed to favor the lagoon area in the 2009 breeding season as there was a very significant decline in Least Tern nesting at Little Estero Lagoon's adjacent state park compared to 2008. I am not able to say how the nests compared at the lagoon between the two seasons as I failed to make noteworthy observations.

Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area is a must see venue from anywhere. While thought to be a preserve 150 acres in size, the lagoon itself is much more intimate.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.

The lagoon is just south of Fort Myers Beach. It has the Gulf of Mexico immediately to its west with condos and a Holiday Inn surprisingly close to the east. Close enough, in fact, to cast shadows on the lagoon's waters in the early morning hours.

The birds are for the most part seemingly oblivious to the human traffic that makes its way to and from the beach through the lagoon's shallow water.

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

While this venue is best visited at low tide, I also recommend a morning visit when the sun is most accommodating for comfort and photography if you are so inclined.

In my relatively few visits the lagoon, I have always seen the Great Egret, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Brown Pelican, and Osprey. Other species are hit and miss, but I've never failed to be completely astounded with the enjoyment I get from this place.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.

I observed the Long-billed Curlew at the lagoon for the first and only time in my two and a half years of wildlife observation in late December of 2008.

My only sighting of the American Avocet was made at Lovers Key in early May of 2008, so it may be expected to see this species at the lagoon any time other than in the summer months.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.

Renowned wildlife photographer, Artie Morris, made the announcement in his blog that he has chosen the Little Estero Lagoon for an early 2010 visit with his clients in favor of the very popular Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

The birds here should offer significant excitement as they do regularly.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.

There always exists an opportunity for photography of birds in flight at Little Estero Lagoon, but for the more ambitious, be prepared to get wet and muddy at my recommendation.

Other must see wildlife venues in the immediate vicinity include San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve, Lovers Key State Park, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and National Audubon Society Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in December 2008.

A more detailed account of my wildlife observations at Little Estero Lagoon in early October 2009 can be seen here.

Additional photographs I've taken at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area can be seen here.