Bunche Beach Tornado Watch

A late in the week opportunity to capture some wildlife imagery was made to offer some fresh stuff.

The scene above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

The start of the morning was very gloomy with heavy winds yet the temperature was warm.

Without precipitation, although Lee County was reportedly under a Tornado Watch, I chose to travel to Bunche Beach knowing that the conditions would not be ideal.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

The night before I had received a reply from local birding enthusiast, Wes Dirks.

I thought I might meet up with him at the Sanibel Lighthouse, but the conditions were considered to be much too windy for photography of migrating passerines there.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

With the tide at Matanzas Pass still hours from its high upon my arrival at Bunche Beach Preserve, I had not seen the tide so high at the preserve before.

This was certainly due to the winds from the south that were driving the gulf waters into the bay.

The Dunlin above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

I chose to walk about a half mile to the east along the shoreline and wait for the birds.

The sighting of a Bald Eagle and Magnificent Frigatebird after immediately stepping out of the car I thought a good omen.

The scene above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

This was a very rare occasion when I would not wade in the water as the waves were fierce.

Although I wouldn't see the eagle again, two frigatebirds would fly toward me during my visit.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

A pair of Ospreys would make flyovers as well although the only species of bird I would see dive into the water apparently in search of food was a Royal Tern.

Many Snowy Egrets braved the conditions headed in the direction of Bird Island that would allow them good cover.

The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

Double-crested Cormorant and Brown Pelicans were prolific in flying toward the lighthouse across the bay.

Willet, Reddish Egret, Tricolored Heron, Dunlin, and Black-bellied Plovers were headed in the direction of Bowditch Point just north of Fort Myers Beach.

The 3rd graders above were photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

A large group of children arrived on the scene that I would learn were two classes of third graders that were to learn about the food chain within the mud flats at Bunche Beach Preserve.

The windy conditions were ideal for an apparently very well experienced Kitesurfer that did some amazing leaps from the waves.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

It was a treat to again visit Bunche Beach with nearly two months having passed.

The storm front that was the cause of the tornado warning that was reported to expire at 1pm was extended to 8pm when I returned home.

The Kitesurfer above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2011.

It wasn't until 8:20pm that lightning could be seen and a trace amount of rain fell.