Surf And Turf

A look at a recent blog entry by bird enthusiast and insomniac, Tom Obrock, on his way to the Keys for sighting of another lifer, made note of his observations at Little Estero Lagoon this past week.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

Tom's report of fledglings of shorebirds seen led to my interest to document what might be happening at the Little Estero Critical Wildlife area this week.

Little Estero Lagoon is an unassuming beach venue that should not be overlooked when visiting the area.

The Great White Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

I again took the longer walk around the lagoon to the beach from the Holiday Inn and was rewarded with the sighting of four Great White Herons with a Great Blue.

It was again good to see the the Snowy Egret and Willet that are regulars at the beach.

The Willet above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

While I encountered the Reddish Egret which seemed a great opportunity to observe in the waning light of the day, I chose to walk further south to see the shore birds that Tom had mentioned.

The Least Tern seemed to find me sooner than I did it and was pleased to see that this bunch was not as aggressive in its dive bombing behavior as I had experienced at Lovers Key State Park in 2008.

The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

I was, however, strafed a couple of times and would be surprised if I hadn't been in continuing to learn the aggressive behavior of the species.

A lot of time was devoted in my attempt to get a shot of the terns striking a fish, but they are just too fast.

The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

If you'd like to test your skills at capturing birds in flight, the Least Tern is primarily seen in the months of May through July along the Gulf coast.

Numerous other shorebird favorites were observed before my walk back to the car where I was pleasantly surprised by the presence of a half dozen Roseate Spoonbills in the lagoon.

The Least Tern juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

My attempt to photograph the bird species I very rarely see was surely more fun than the results of shooting them under what at the time were very low light and slow shutter speed conditions.

I had astoundingly received a trespass warning after encroaching 15 feet onto the property of a highrise condo adjacent to the lagoon while attempting to photograph the spoonbills, so be sure to watch your step when you visit.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2010.

Shortly after my experience with the agitated individual, I met Ken Platt who told me of his extraordinary observation of the recent launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis from 12 miles and also of his wife who composes locally appropriate music.

Earlier in the week I had stopped by Harns Marsh Preserve after a long absence.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

It was my hope to observe the Snail Kite and wasn't disappointed as both the male and female were seen almost immediately upon my arrival.

Harns Marsh is very reliable for the sighting of not only the kites, but Limpkin which are not readily seen at other surrounding venues around Fort Myers.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

It wasn't until close observation in looking at images on the computer that one of the Snail Kites was seen as having a band on each of its legs.

The Limkin was the first species observed as it was feeding along the water's edge immediately at the trail head and closer than I had seen it before.

The Limkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

The last of the fog was dissipating shortly after sunrise which was overshadowed by a plume of smoke coming from a fire pit that had evidently been used the night before.

I was able to extinguish the smoldering logs by filling an empty beer bottle found nearby with water from the marsh a dozen times or so.

The Limkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

The debris strewn along the shore of the marsh is definitely Harns Marsh Preserve's detraction.

Discounting the commercial and light aircraft that fly over the preserve with regularity, this is one of the most enjoyable venues to bird by ear I've found.

The alligator above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

The very distinctive calls of the Limpkin are always a treat which gives Harns Marsh a jungle appeal as I perceive it.

In addition to my most recent observations of the preserve's predictable residents, I was able to watch the interaction between a Little Blue Heron and a 1st spring LBH that at one point did a dance that I considered very unusual.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

The 1st spring Little Blue Heron, losing its white plumage, at one point gave great chase to the older heron in its more common slate blue color.

I also made a sighting of a six foot alligator in the marsh which I found quite alarming as I've waded in the water at this venue in the past, though never again.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

The alligator covered a lot of territory in my brief observation of it and at one point swam past the carcass of a Tricolored Heron still distinguishable in its plumage while others of its kind flew overhead.

One of the attractive characteristics of Harns Marsh is the abundance of insect life within it.

The Dragonflies on a Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in May 2010.

I devoted a little time and effort in an attempt to photograph dragonflies that at one point rested and mated on the carcass of the heron floating in the water.

Insect enthusiast, pbaser and resource for identifications, Brian Ahern, would certainly find interest in the observation.