Sanibel Gardens Preserve

On 12 June 2016, wildlife blogger France Paulsen observed a Fork-tailed Flycatcher at Sanibel Gardens Preserve just north of the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Bailey Tract on Sanibel Island.

The Anhinga above (image 1) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher is a rare Code 3 vagrant in the ABA area. The species' breeding range is in Central and South America. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher at Sanibel Gardens Preserve proved to be a one day wonder which is generally the case for sightings of this species in the United States.

The Mottled Duck above (image 2) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Northern Cardinal above (image 3) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 4) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 5) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 6) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Pileated Woodpecker above (image 7) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Great Egret above (image 8) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The juvenile Fish Crow above (image 9) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Fish Crow with juvenile above (image 10) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Fish Crow with juvenile above (image 11) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The White Ibis above (image 12) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The juvenile Little Blue Heron with Snowy Egret above (image 13) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

While it has been my intention to explore the 265 acre Sanibel Gardens Preserve extensively, my first visit on 13 June was primarily with hopes of finding the flycatcher. I made my observations primarily at the cell phone tower where France had reported the vagrant the previous day. I stayed until thunder could be heard.

The Tricolored Heron above (image 14) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above (image 15) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

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The Swallow-tailed Kite above (image 16) was photographed at Sanibel Gardens Preserve in June 2016.

Florida June Flashbacks: 2011- 2015

With plenty of indoor time available due to Tropical Storm Colin and a persistent stormy weather pattern this past week in Southwest Florida, I made flashbacks of June visits to five different wildlife venues going back to 2011.

The Ruddy Turnstone above (image 1) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2015.

Two species have been selected from each venue offering newly presented images. It should be readily expected to see all the species in this post at their respective venue in June with the exception of the Horned Lark at Fort De Soto Park and Black-necked Stilt at Harns Marsh Preserve. Additional information about all the venues except Harns Marsh Preserve (no restroom facilities) can be found at the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail website. Otherwise, please search for abundant information in this blog.

The Least Tern with chick above (image 2) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2015.

The Brown Noddy above (image 3) was photographed at Dry Tortugas National Park in June 2014.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above (image 4) was photographed at Dry Tortugas National Park in June 2014.

The juvenile White Ibis above (image 5) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 6) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in June 2013.

The Horned Lark above (image 7) was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in June 2012.

The Reddish Egret above (image 8) was photographed at Fort De Soto Park in June 2012.

If you have the time while seeking Florida wildlife in June, I strongly encourage newfound experiences be created at all of these noted venues. Traveling from Fort Myers, a visit to Fort De Soto Park should have at least a half day dedicated to it (be sure to stop at Celery Fields on the way back), while Dry Tortugas National Park should require a minimum of two days travel for the day trip to Fort Jefferson via the Yankee Freedom. Bunche Beach Preserve, my favorite wildlife venue, is best visited at a low tide. A dawn arrival at Harns Marsh Preserve is recommended.

The Black-necked Stilt above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in June 2011.

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The Limpkin above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in June 2011.

6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part II

The images presented in this series continue with a 23 November sunrise visit to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Drive.

The Belted Kingfisher above (image 1) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The observation point was stationary at Water Control Structure 5. The bird activity was good enough to keep me from making a second pass along the drive. A Merlin was observed this day, but not photographed well enough to present here.

The immature Snowy Egret above (image 2) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The banded Reddish Egret above (image 3) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Reddish Egret above (image 4) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The banded Reddish Egret above (image 5) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The banded Reddish Egret above (image 6) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 7) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 8) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 9) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The banded Reddish Egret above (image 10) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Belted Kingfisher above (image 11) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Belted Kingfisher above (image 12) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis above (image 13) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis above (image 14) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis above (image 15) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis above (image 16) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Laughing Gull above (image 17) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Laughing Gull above (image 18) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Black-bellied Plover above (image 19) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Black-bellied Plover above (image 20) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Black-bellied Plover above (image 21) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Black-bellied Plover above (image 22) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 23) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Short-billed Dowitcher with Dunlin above (image 24) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Willet with prey above (image 25) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Wood Stork above (image 26) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Wood Stork above (image 27) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Willet with prey above (image 28) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Bald Eagle above (image 29) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Willet with prey above (image 30) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis with prey above (image 31) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 32) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The juvenile Snowy Egret harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 33) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The juvenile Snowy Egret harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 34) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The juvenile Snowy Egret harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 35) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 36) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The White Ibis harassed by Laughing Gull above (image 37) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 38) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 39) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 40) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 41) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 42) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The immature Bald Eagle above (image 43) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Wood Stork above (image 44) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 45) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The Wood Stork above (image 46) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

Wildlife Drive offers a good observation opportunity with consideration of a low tide which cannot be overstated. Do not hesitate to make multiple trips through the refuge if necessary.

The American White Pelican above (image 47) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

The American White Pelican above (image 48) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

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The Osprey above (image 49) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

Please also see 6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part I
Please also see 6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part III
Please also see 6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part IV