Two morning visits were made to
Sanibel Island Lighthouse, and one morning visit to
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve 16-18 September 2013 with accounts and selected images included in this article.
The sunrise above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The first visit to Sanibel Lighthouse led to a search for migratory birds which have a tendency to gravitate to this venue at times. I would spend several hours in search of them with observation of two warblers that were fleetingly seen. The first didn't allow for an image to be taken as it was deep in the foliage of a Gumbo Limbo tree.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
I got a shot of a second warbler, but the image was too blurry to identify the species (Palm Warbler, I think). Both visits to the lighthouse offered significant clouds to the east with the rising sun diffusing the light which was a boon and a bust for photography.
The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
Swallows have been thinning in numbers these past weeks while Eastern Kingbird were seen in the greatest numbers overall on my two visits to Sanibel. The second visit to the island was a complete bust for warbler action, but I never had high hopes for good observations as the prevailing winds have been easterly.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The female Green Darner above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
With migratory birds typically making their moves over long distances nocturnally, they may nonetheless be impacted by weather events. A strong southerly wind might keep the birds down ideally at this time of year as the birds head south. This has thus far not happened this migratory season (with large numbers of warblers seen) anywhere in Florida that I am aware of.
The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
I am curious to know if warblers stay in flight for days at a time. While there are two primary websites that utilize satellite technology to track birds, the site I favor is with more attention on action in Florida that can be seen at
Badbirdz Reloaded (best viewed beginning from late February and late July). At the lighthouse I also observed Fish Crow with an interesting food item. Please speculate what it may be.
The Green Heron above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Purple Martin above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Fish Crow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The scene above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Barn Swallow above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
Following the visits to the Lighthouse, I made a few hours of observations at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve on the 18th of September. It was a treat to again meet Walt Winton,
Bird Patrol guide and expert birder, who guided me to a Worm-eating Warbler which allowed for my first observation and photography of the species. Walt had a total of nine warbler species under his belt along the slough's boardwalk this day.
The Eurasian Collared-Dove above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The critter above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
It was enjoyable to observe a Prothonotary Warbler, another lifer, that was seemingly deaf, or extremely tolerant as maintenance of the boardwalk was rid of its debris by a noisy leaf blower. It was at the Prothonotary's location that I met Lee and Sharon visiting from Dixie County. They made the comment that the water level at the Preserve appeared high which they were pleased with.
The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in September 2013.
The Prothonotary Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Prothonotary Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Prothonotary Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
I have never seen the water level so high as it has been at the Slough. The boardwalk is close to being inundated. At the time of this publication heavy rains appear to have abated, at least temporarily. The water level at the Six Mile Cypress Slough may rise further without rainfall as the water from the north "sheets" toward lower ground to the south.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Blue Jay above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Sanibel Lighthouse can be great for local southwest Florida migratory activity at this time of year. Newly observed species personally photographed for the first time and presented this week include Prothonotary Warbler, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Worm-eating Warbler.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Worm-eating Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
In a report by Vince McGrath on 26 September 2013, he describes it as "Lighthouse time!!!!"
The Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
