In the midst of warbler migration season in the Fall of 2013, a trip was made to the Sanibel Lighthouse at Ybel Point on 4 October with additionally a visit to Harns Marsh Preserve and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve on 8 October.
The Western Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The visit to Sanibel Lighthouse was with the prospect of
Tropical Storm Karen producing a fallout that would be unprecedented for this time of year. The storm was far enough in the Gulf of Mexico that the sky remained clear with light winds in the Fort Myers area.
The Western Kingbird with Red-bellied Woodpecker above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Western Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Tennessee Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Yellow-throated Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The 1st Winter Chestnut-sided Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The 1st Winter Chestnut-sided Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
In the article (hyperlink above) from Mr. Walsh, senior editor at TIME, he notes an apparent disappointment of the storms this 2013 season. He comments with apparent certainty that the seas will rise.
The Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The European Starling above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Prairie Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The 1st Winter Chestnut-sided Warbler above was photographed at Sanibel Lighthouse in October 2013.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
I was at the right place and right time at the Lighthouse to make by first observation of a Chestnut-sided Warbler. The bird was immature so it lacked the chestnut color. Vince McGrath was present, and as always offered insight into the wildlife seen.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The juvenile Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
Harns Marsh Preserve
again offered observation of Crested Caracara leaving their roost at dawn, though there were only two of the birds seen in much lower light. It is evident the caracara have no particular preference as to where they go although the initial direction of their flight is always the same (northwest).
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The House Wren above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Pied-billed Grebe above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The immature Common Gallinule above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
I was also fortunate to make my first observation of Red-headed Woodpecker at Harns Marsh this day as it flew toward the west and north of the cypress stand near the parking area. I made my first observation of Pied-billed Grebe for the season on this visit to the Preserve.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Anhinga above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Red-headed Woodpecker above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The immature Common Gallinule above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Pied-billed Grebe above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
Master wildlife photographer
Bob Blanchard has been kayaking at Harns Marsh Preserve routinely and has been making observations of American Bittern among other species at very close range. My visit to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was rewarding as well as I met up with
Bird Patrol volunteers Tom Obrock and Walt Winton.
The Limpkin with Apple Snail above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Limpkin with Apple Snail above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Limpkin with Apple Snail above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2013.
The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Scarlet Tanager above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The boardwalk this day offered my first observation of Black-throated Green Warbler. Walt offered interesting insight of the importance of having a pair of binoculars for a much more rewarding wildlife experience. I will acquire Nikon Monarch 7 when it's available at a decent price (about $325 with an offer from Amazon if you apply for their credit card).
The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The White-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Black-throated Green Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
The Eastern Wood-Pewee above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
Tom Obrock advised me this week that he observed a Snail Kite at Harns Marsh Preserve on 10 October.
The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in October 2013.
