San Carlos Bay: Early Fall 2010

San Carlos Bay, located at the southern end of Fort Myers, Florida, has three magnificent wildlife venues on its borders which include Bunche Beach Preserve to the north, Bowditch Point to the south, and Lighthouse Park on Sanibel Island to the west.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Early in the week I made a long overdue visit to Bunche Beach where I was greeted by an American Oystercatcher.

I made this species my focus of study as long as the bird would allow.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

The feeding behavior of the oystercatcher was interesting to observe as it would find its quarry as far into the sand as it could reach and then consume mollusks in small bits.

While Laughing Gulls were abundant in the area of the fishermen at the west channel of Bunche Beach Preserve, a solitary experienced adult gull waited near the oystercatcher waiting for an opportunity to steal its food.

The American Oystercatcher with Laughing Gull above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

I was glad to see that the oystercatcher was the dominant bird and was able to keep the gull at a relative distance.

Such is not the case when observing most other species of wading birds which succumb to attacks from the Laughing Gull frequently.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

A Bald Eagle made a couple of close flybys which was a thrill as I don't see the species often.

It was on the day that tropical storm 16 had entered the Florida Straits after a zigzag across Cuba that I made my way to Lighthouse Park on Sanibel Island.

The Osprey above was photographed at Lighthouse Park in September 2010.

There was drizzle before dawn, but the day turned out to be quite beautiful and fortuitous.

There wasn't any passerine activity noted in the "woodlands" of the park, so I made my way to the beach.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Mere minutes later, a swarm of Laughing Gulls which appeared out of nowhere were fighting over a sea creature certainly startling the beachcomber that happened to be in the middle of the action.

I would spend much time observing the wading and shore birds that made their way mostly from north to south.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Fishermen on the pier were successful in catching sharks I'd guess were about three feet.

A fellow visitor to the park had made a walk by me a second time I was aware of when I realized it was Wes whom I had met at Bunche Beach Preserve last year.

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

After speaking with him briefly, I observed a few more swallows make their way into the bay at great speed when I decided to call it a day also having missed photographing a larger unidentified species of bird that was the greatest disappointment at the park.

I met up with Wes at the lighthouse on the way back to the car where he introduced me to Vince McGrath and Walt Winton.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

The three of them were evidently great friends and a powerhouse of birding skills with Wes telling me he's been into the study of birds for 40 years with in excess of 500 lifers while Vince had acquired his 700th with the observation of a Red-necked Phalarope at Bunche Beach Preserve 27 September 2010.

Vince McGrath was able to remarkably document the species photographing it with his iPhone.

From L-R above, Wes Dirks, Vince McGrath, Bob Schmidt visiting from Washington state, Vince Lucas, Jose Padilla, and Walt Winton above were photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

I believe I heard it mentioned that this was the first documented sighting of Red-necked Phalarope in Lee County.

From the lighthouse it was decided to travel to Bunche Beach Preserve in search of the Phalarope.

The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Just before reaching the parking lot, Vince pointed out an approaching Peregrine Falcon that I wasn't able to get a shot of.

I'll be referring to Vince as "Hawkeye" in the future for his uncanny sense of sight and ability to find the unexpected and the kind words spoken of him by Wes.

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

Though not seen at the time an entourage of extremely experienced birders congregated at Bunche Beach Preserve around 11am, it was then learned that the Phalarope had been seen earlier in the morning.

With great excitement and anticipation of the bird's return, Tom Obrock appeared from his walk to the west channel where it was determined he had a great sighting of American Avocet.

The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Everyone left the preserve but myself as the Phalarope failed to make a reappearance after about an hour.

I chose to head toward the west channel to photograph the avocet which I've only captured at close range on one other occasion at Lovers Key State Park 02 May 2008.

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

While I was able to observe the species clearly from Vince's scope before he left, it was impossible for me to see the bird I was heading for as it was more than half a mile away.

When I thought I was close enough to find it with the camera, I stopped and scanned the horizon and was able to hone in on it.

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

The American Avocet was ultimately seen clearly in the company of a pair of Royal Terns, several Marbled Godwits, about 40 Red Knots (with a few showing the last remnants of breeding plumage and a pair with flags), several Short-billed Dowitcher, and a few Western Sandpiper.

As the tide was quickly rising, the sandpipers were the first to take flight with the Red Knots and dowitcher mere seconds later.

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

The Royal Terns took flight a moment later with only the Marbled Godwits remaining with the American Avocet.

A few minutes later the avocet would be alone and took flight about five minutes after that.

The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Just before it took flight, where it would land and remain in range for a few more shots, the bird did a really nice wing stretch which I failed to capture as I was attempting to capture some additional images of the American Oystercatcher in the immediate area.

The oystercatchers were in a group of four, three of which had just joined one that was already nearby.

The American Avocet with Marbled Godwit above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

I couldn't help think how enjoyable it was to hear the call of these birds with them assisting my ability to recognize the bird without seeing it in the future.

While the shorebird action was sparse within the mile in either direction of the parking area initially, at this point in time the rising tide was likely the cause of a large flock of Black Skimmers landing to my east.

The American Avocet above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

With them traveled many dozens of smaller birds including Ruddy Turnstone which have been increasing in numbers seen since spring.

As the camera's battery indicator was giving me warning of failure as I was photographing Tricolored and Great Blue Herons, I again decided to call it a day.

The American Avocet with Red Knot above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

Upon arrival at the parking area after my long walk, I was surprised to see Wes again whom was the first to arrive after another reported sighting of the Red-necked Phalarope at the east channel a half hour earlier.

Speaking with Walt about the Burrowing Owl as we waited for the possible return of the Phalarope, it was entertaining to hear him tell of the Burrowing Owl that he sees on his mailbox.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

I had asked him if he ever saw the owls mate with his reply no, but he told of observing the mating behavior of Yellow-billed Cuckoo that lasted about the same time as the owls at five seconds.

Wes had told me of the remarkable lives of fellow birders whom were quite passionate in the endeavor to entertain themselves and certainly enlighten and educate others.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

We all decided to call it a day in the late afternoon as the tide at Bunche Beach Preserve had nearly covered all the suitable mudflats that the Phalarope would favor.

I readily admit that it's extremely unlikely that I would have been able to single out the Red-necked Phalarope without the assistance of the distinguished birders I was very fortunate to spend part of a day with.

The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

There was no report of an additional sighting of the Red-necked Phalarope in the area as of this writing.

It will hopefully offer more excitement in the days ahead.

The unusual above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2010.

There are going to be tremendous migratory opportunities at all three of San Carlos Bay's wildlife venues in the weeks ahead with a Hawk watch scheduled at Lighthouse Park and led by Vince McGrath in mid October.