The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.The large number of migratory birds at the Lighthouse can be attributed to a cold front that passed through with heavy rains. Although Tom noted that he thought the birds would be carried away by the winds before my chance to see the wildlife, my thought was that the winds were strong enough to keep the birds down. My original plan for my initial day off from work this week was to see if the Burrowing Owl chicks that were reported to have begun to hatch by workmate Patti Armstrong last week survived the precipitation that may have flooded the owl's burrows in Cape Coral. Tom's reported migration action trumped that trip. I instead arrived at the Sanibel Lighthouse in the early afternoon Tuesday. My hope was to observe species of bird that I had never seen before; moreso than getting a photograph of them. The unfavorable lighting conditions which is typically the norm at the Lighthouse with its dense vegetation and my early afternoon arrival with clear skies made photography a challenge. Closer to mid afternoon it was my great fortune to meet up with naturalists Vince McGrath and Ruth Woodall who both lead walks for the Bird Patrol. Vince commented that the previous 48 hours at the Lighthouse offered the best observations he has made in the last ten years there. He noted that the active hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 had caused a significant decline in migratory fallout and feels that hurricane activity will not be significantly disruptive to wildlife again for another five years. Later in the day, Dr. Jose Padilla, Cheryl Anderson, and Charlie Ewell added eyes in our search for the migrants. Charlie conducts walks for the Bird Patrol as well. In all, I would see 12 species of bird never personally observed before. Two of those species that I failed to photograph were Black-billed Cuckoo and Lincoln Sparrow as well as the hummingbird mention below. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo was very interesting to watch as it snatched thorn bugs from its perch. A resident Great Egret walked by us within mere feet in search of lizards. With his very keen observation skills, Vince pointed out a Ruby-throated Hummingbird almost close enough for me to touch and a flock of Cedar Waxwings at a high altitude noting that the waxwing's next stop would be in Atlanta. Vince also commented that he had observed a Merlin carry away an Eastern Kingbird earlier in the day. If I had the chance to do this trip over, I would have utilized the 1.4x extender to minimize crops of the images taken.
The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Red-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Gray Catbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Pileated Wooedpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Summer Tanager above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Summer Tanager above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Veery above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Blue Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
Vince McGrath, Jose Padilla, Charlie Ewell, Cheryl Anderson, and Ruth Woodall above were photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Blue Grosbeak above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Veery above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Summer Tanager above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.
The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in April 2012.Please see: Sanibel Lighthouse 2012 Spring Migration Closure
GREAT JOB !!!!
ReplyDeleteBob, we must have been birding side by side! I wish I had looked away from the banquet of birds long enough to recognize you and introduce myself! Your pictures, as usual, are stunning!
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