Friday, July 30, 2010

Feature: Black-necked Stilt

The Black-necked Stilt is a species of bird that should not be expected to be seen at any time unless you are somewhat certain to find it.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

Well, with that said, how might one expect to find a needle in a haystack?

In my case, I was informed of the elusive species' location by reading the wildlife blog of Tom Obrock.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

I've come to realize the benefit of a full understanding of the preferred habitat of the species you are looking for.

In addition, it helps to have a great familiarity with the area if you're going to find an elusive species on your own and then perhaps simply get extremely lucky.

The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

Although I was never specifically making a diligent effort to find the Black-necked Stilt until this past week, I was disappointed that I had not observed it before.

The Black-necked Stilt is considered a shorebird and having spent countless hours at wildlife parks and preserves that constitute suitable habitat for the species had me believe that I should see the stilt at least occasionally.

The Killdeer above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

But that was not the case as the Black-necked Stilt remained an elusive creature with it a member of the family Recurvirostridae which includes the American Avocet.

In my three plus years of Florida wildlife observation, I have only once seen the American Avocet with it in the surf at Lovers Key State Park in early May 2008.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

As has been my experience, I consider Recurvirostridae extremely rare relative to other shorebirds in my area of southwest Florida.

On the morning of my attempt to see the Black-necked Stilt for the first time, it was with great fortune that Tom Obrock drove through the Exit 131 Rest Stop off I-75 as he was headed home from work while continuing his search for migratory species and specifically "lifers."

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

As we chatted about photography and our recent observations, it became clear he found me very misguided as to where I thought I might observe the stilts and gave me more specific detail of his observations of the species.

Tom also told me that he needed some shut eye before meeting up with the Birdpatrol at Bunche Beach later in the day.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

I think we are both in agreement that Harns Marsh Preserve needs another access point to negate what I certainly feel is an extraordinarily long walk around its perimeter.

Since I had to work very early in the morning the following day, I regrettably couldn't attend the Birdpatrol event.

The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

I chose to continue my attempt to observe the Black-necked Stilt where Tom had told me he had observed it in the recent past.

Approaching my third hour of observation at the Rest Stop site, I was literally in my car with the engine running already having given up when a few of the stilts flew into view.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

It was infuriating to me that I missed flight shots of the incoming Black-necked Stilt as I had been planted at the ready with the camera for such an extended period of time.

Three Black-necked Stilts were observed to fly into the flooded (due to seasonal rains) undeveloped commercial property from the south at the tree line immediately east of the Rest Stop.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

David Sibley's Guide to Bird Life and Behavior indicates that the avocets and stilts, classified as shorebirds, will frequent fresh water environments.

The field had a water depth of between four and 12 inches of water over an area I would guess at ten acres which allows for favorable, though fleeting, ecosystems.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

An unusual anatomical detail of Recurvirostridae shorebirds is that they have partial webbing between the three primary toes in the avocet while the stilt has webbing between the middle and inner toe.

While I was mobile in my observation of the stilts, with an effort to have the birds with the sun behind me, a neighbor of the property stopped to tell me that the water level seemed to be at an ideal depth as the birds might not otherwise be seen.

The Black-necked Stilt with Greater Yellowlegs above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

The gentleman also noted that he was pleased that others cared about what we could behold before us.

In my next two hours of observation of the Black-necked Stilt, there were a total of four of the species seen.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

While I originally thought there was another group of six stilts, a review of my photographs taken proved to show that the birds I thought were stilts were actually Greater Yellowlegs.

I had observed the yellowlegs into the sun and was only able to photograph them somewhat successfully using a very high exposure bias to avoid the capture of the birds completely in silhouette.

The Greater Yellowlegs above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

While there were only three Black-necked Stilts initially seen together, the fourth bird would ultimately make its way onto the scene from a direction I failed to observe.

With my little understanding of the Black-necked Stilt species, I speculate that the group of four included two juveniles.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

The juveniles might easily be mistaken for adult females on the ground as they are very similar in appearance.

When the four birds were captured in flight together, it's seemingly obvious that there were two juveniles as their size appears significantly smaller than the adults.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

Of the four birds in tandem, I believe the adult female to be the laggard.

Wildlife species I consider notably observed near the company of the Black-necked Stilt included Greater Yellowlegs, Glossy Ibis, Little Blue Heron with 1st year juvenile, Killdeer, Mottled Duck, Anhinga, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, and Red-shouldered Hawk.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

This retreat for the Black-necked Stilt at the Rest Stop will be further determined by the unpredictable rains this season, the dry season ahead, and future development.

Black-necked Stilts are thought to migrate to and from Argentina at the southern end of their range.

The visitor of the wildlife venue above was photographed at Exit 131 Rest Stop, Interstate I-75, Fort Myers, Florida USA in July 2010.

The most spectacular sunsets I've observed in my life, regrettably without an ability to photograph them, were observed this past week.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Bunche Beach East

Until this past week, it had been a very long while since I visited the east channel that cuts its way from San Carlos Bay into the estuary at Bunche Beach Preserve.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

I was well aware that my early morning visit, when I had the chance this week, would be at a very high tide which would make passing the channel impossible on foot as I was.

Even at a very low tide, the east channel is nearly chest deep in places if you choose to cross it, though gets shallower the further you go out into the bay.

The Willet above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The approach to the channel was met with very still air and little bird activity.

The biting insects were at their worst after exiting the car a mile back and not bad compared to how they can be after sunset under certain conditions at the preserve.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The water of San Carlos Bay was closer to the grass along the dune than I ever recall seeing it before.

Once at the channel, a Reddish Egret was seen in the company of a Willet feeding close to shore as the tide peaked when I took my first shots with the water three feet above mean sea level.

The Cattle Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

I had been forewarned by a weather forecast on the radio that this would be the hottest day of the 2010 summer.

There had been many other days already that were more uncomfortable due to higher humidity conditions while my morning through early afternoon visit to the preserve was comparably very pleasant.

The Snowy Egret with Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

A goal was to ensure that the shots I would take were level, without a need to rotate any shots in post processing, which was made possible by a bubble level in my tripod.

I initially made a great effort with this in mind by kicking the sand along the shore to a depth of a few inches where I was able to set one of the tripod's legs where it allowed me as low to the ground as possible without having to hold the camera.

The White Ibis above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The water of the bay actually felt surprisingly cool as I entered it while planting myself down where I remained within a small radius for the next four and a half hours.

Photographs of birds, if they're not in flight typically, I find most appealing in an image from a low perspective while as close to their height as possible.

The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

At about the time I saw evidence of clouds around 9:00am was when a strong and welcome breeze picked up from the east.

With the sun at my back, I simply waited for the action to happen.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

I have to admit that I would not have considered making this trip under the conditions of such a high tide if there wasn't the possibility of seeing the Black-necked Stilt for the first time.

Tom Obrock had told me that the species had been seen at the preserve about a month ago while he has noted seeing it more recently at the I-75 rest stop near the Fort Myers airport.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The stilt regrettably remains elusive to me after my most recent visit to Bunche Beach Preserve.

I did, however, see some surprisingly enjoyable action that I would never have expected.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The conditions turned out to offer some of the most enjoyable and prolific wildlife observation I had yet to encounter in one day.

Shortly after a few wading species passed overhead, I decided to change my strategy and primarily focus my efforts on photographing birds in flight which I continue to struggle with successfully.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

I adjusted the camera's settings many dozens of times to compensate for the different species and the perspectives I had of them.

It was a treat of course to see species I hadn't observed in a long while and to photograph juveniles which should be expected this time of year.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

This visit to the preserve was an opportunity for me to acquire a much better appreciation for the differences in shorebirds and improved identification of them.

Sandpipers, plovers and terns were abundant as the tide waned and the bay's flats were exposed offering the birds a resting and feeding opportunity.

The Great Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

My first few shots of the day were taken into the light.

I don't like shooting under those conditions as the results are often unreliable for an appealing image unless compensation is made diligently in the camera's settings or through flash which I chose not to use.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

In this most recent visit to Bunche Beach Preserve, I made my typical adjustments I do with the camera's exposure bias which was determined by the subjects that I thought warranted it.

The lower settings were used for the most part when I was photographing the Snowy Egret and other species seen in the surf with significant white in their appearance.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The higher settings were used when I was photographing many birds in flight in the bright sky.

I've never trusted the camera to take an image with automatic settings and most often choose to make any inferior images with full accountability to myself.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

There were a few disputes of territory between a pair of Snowy Egrets and a pair of Tricolored Herons which occupied some of my observation time.

At one point I was surprised by a juvenile Snowy Egret having apparent dominance over an adult.

The "Great Getaway" above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

The Tricolored Heron juvenile was harassed by its elder when the younger bird got too close.

It was interesting to see the successful feeding by the birds with the Snowy Egret in particular making numerous stabs into the water which brought two fish at a time.

The Laughing Gull above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

It was on this trip that I made an observation, with the most confidence I've yet to have, of the Western Sandpiper.

I continue to struggle with the identification of these birds with subtle differences in their appearance.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

I consider the highlight of the trip my sighting of the Bald Eagle which I observed at the preserve for the first time.

A fellow visitor of the preserve told me of a visit he made to Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island in June of this year.

The Least Tern juvenile above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

He commented on his observation of Snowy Plover juveniles that ran into his shadow to escape the heat of the sun.

I also heard this week from American Birding Association member, Hemant Kishan, who told me of his "spectacular" observations last month at Estero Lagoon which included the sighting of a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron "hunting plover chicks as if they were crustaceans."

The Western Sandpiper above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

Thanks for that report, Hemant.

I also had an interesting visitor to my Pbase site that commented on images cryptically over a half dozen images which when strung together read . . . IN SEARCH OF PEACE AND LOVE, I AM EXPANDED TO PROTECT MY WORLD. PLEASE COME AND JOIN WITH ME, LET US TOUCH THE SKY & REACH THE HIGH. FLY BEYOND THE BONDAGE, FOR FOOD TO MY SOIL MOTHER, I MUST RETURN TO YOUR PLACID BREAST.

The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

Although I missed photographing a flyover of a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron as I wasn't prepared for it, I fortunately observed another of the species on the roadside while leaving the preserve which made up for the earlier loss.

I certainly won't consider a high tide visit to Bunche Beach Preserve any less than very favorable again.

The Osprey above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

And I have to add that I'm very much looking forward to frequent trips to Bowman's Beach during the 2011 breeding season.

The inclination of Bowman's Beach appears very favorable for great light during morning or afternoon visits as is Bunche Beach.

The Black-crowned Night-Heron juvenile above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2010.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Go Fly A Kite At Harns Marsh

While I was very tempted to take up Fabs Forns' "Project July: Interaction" Sticky at Birdphotographers.net, with a goal of photographing birds and their offspring this week, I decided instead to return inland to Harns Marsh Preserve knowing it unlikely to see fledgling birds.

The Limpkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in July 2010.

If you have yet to visit BPN, I strongly encourage you to do so.

There is some extraordinary and world class wildlife photography there with a great community of members and educational opportunities.

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

I have lately been getting an earful of the fledgling activity of the Common and Boat-tailed Grackles at my front door as there are a few nests in the Sabal Palms unfortunately without an ability to photograph them.

The adult birds have been observed bringing insects to the young and removing their droppings from the nest.

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

I haven't been able to get out of my mind the comment made to me by American Birding Association member, Hemant Kishan, who told me of his disappointment of his experience at Harns Marsh Preserve in April of this year.

Upon each of my visits there, I've considered the wildlife experience very rewarding.

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

This week I arrived at the preserve and saw two Limpkins and a Snail Kite before I parked the car.

In my few hours observing the activity at the preserve this week, I didn't see as many smaller birds as I have in the past, but certainly to be expected in mid-summer.

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

The vocal calls of birds at the preserve were abundant while a few were even recognizable.

I like to think that I'm getting better at my ability to bird by ear.

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

I just wish that the shore and wading birds weren't so typically silent in my observations of them as I need repetition for identification.

The intent of my visit to Harns Marsh Preserve this week was to observe and photograph the Snail Kite which can be expected to be seen at any time of year.

The Little Blue Heron (1st year) above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in July 2010.

On this latest visit, I walked south to the treeline and waited for the action to come to me while taking a mere few shots at the parking area.

I have been expecting the kites to become more prevalent as snails become so as well.

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

Egg casings of the snails were observed in abundance to later this summer and fall benefit the kites and other bird species.

On a previous visit to Harns Marsh, I've observed the Limpkin to favor the snails as the bird species worked the shoreline.

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

Although I wasn't counting, there were at last at least five unique sightings of the Snail Kite.

I was able to observe both sexes of the kite which are very distinctive from one another and what appeared to be a 1st year juvenile as well.

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

It would be quite a thrill to observe the White-tailed and Mississippi Kites at this venue which have yet to be documented, while the range of these species makes it a possibility with the greatest of fortune.

On a couple of occasions, the Snail Kite flew so close to me that I wasn't able to keep the bird in the viewfinder of the camera.

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

The alligator I observed on my last visit to the preserve was not seen.

Although the Limpkin could be heard at one point or another from every direction, it was especially active when a Snail Kite flew low over its breeding colony far to the north from where I was.

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

When the kite was feeding up close at one point, I was able to observe that it is very selective in the part of the snail that it eats.

After the snail is pulled from its shell, the darker parts of it are discarded by the kite before the off-white snail itself is consumed in small bits.

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

I noted that the sign at the parking area with its certain prohibitions at the preserve was missing.

One of the rules I recall were that no boats were permitted in the water.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in July 2010.

With the sign gone, it seemed appropriate to see a boat, with fishing enthusiasts, in the water for the first time.

Fellow wildlife enthusiast, Tom Obrock, occasionally reports about his experiences at this venue as well.

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

Needless to say, it was another enjoyable wildlife experience at Harns Marsh Preserve.

I hope Hemant gives it another chance to impress him.