The Green Anole above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.It was not a surprise to see Vince McGrath surveying the scene at the Lighthouse as I approached the best warbler observation area that I know of. Vince continued to offer a wealth of expertise on details of the birds and their behavior. It was a treat to meet up with Gail Campbell as well who told me she had just returned from a trip to Texas and noted the birds to be more prolific here. Adams Serra was also at the southeastern tip of Sanibel Island with his camera gear at the ready. Although the birds were much fewer in numbers overall with many species having continued on their northern journey, I was able to add first personal sightings of Blackpoll Warbler and Cape May Warbler, while photographing Black-throated Blue Warbler for the first time. This trip to the lighthouse also offered my best opportunity to photograph American Redstart with the species first personally observed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in 2007. Two mystery birds that were light blue in color overall made a very brief appearance shortly after Vince called it a morning. A Green Anole was seen for the first time in years this week. This species which is solely native to Florida is rapidly being displaced by the invasive Brown Anole. Fellow wildlife observer Tom Obrock reported Bobolinks at Harns Marsh earlier in the week and informed me that he had observed Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Cape May Warbler, five other warblers and Swainson's Thrush at Six Mile Cypress Slough at the time of my trip to the lighthouse. To corroborate Vince's prediction last week for mild hurricane seasons ahead, I heard news on the radio at the close of this week that the El Niño and La Niña weather patterns are now at neutral favoring minimal storm activity. This has a downside with it likely that much drier conditions will prevail with negative impacts of their own on wildlife and humans alike.
The Gray Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Yellow-billed Cuckoo above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Gray Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Black-throated Blue Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Northern Parula above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Blackpoll Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Palm Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Palm Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Palm Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Blackpoll Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Palm Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The American Redstart above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
The Cape May Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in May 2012.
What a treat! So many lovely birds, so wonderfully photographed,and the lizard is a lifer too,look at that bright green color!
ReplyDelete