The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.Dr. Jerry Lorenz, Director of Research for Audubon of Florida, gave me insight to the bird with his banding of it at Sandy Key in western Florida Bay 17 December 2008.
My sighting of the spoonbill placed it about 115 nautical miles from Jerry's observation at Sandy Key.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.Jerry told me that Roseate Spoonbills are studied with interest for their plumage variation as the birds age while focused on their movement.
Jerry noted that when he placed the "AO" PVC band on the spoonbill, he was also required to place the metal band (with its unique USGS number) on the bird as well.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.The United States Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab in affiliation with the Canadian Wildlife Service has very strict regulations for the banding of birds.
Birds that remain in Florida year round are very likely to have a significant lightening of their plumage.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.A link to a close up view of detail of USGS metal bands may be viewed here.
Another opportunity for me to visit the Gulf beaches led me to Estero Lagoon this week.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.Arrival at this other remarkable venue was made in the early afternoon with high tide to crest within the hour.
I devoted some time looking for an opportunity to capture an appealing image of a white wading bird that would benefit from a very significant overexposure of the subject.
The Western Sandpiper above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.The sun was still high in the sky which was a good time to do this.
A Snowy Egret offered me this chance, but I was never able to get the image near pure white for the effect before post processing that I was looking for.
The Mourning Dove above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.It was, however, in the line of sight of a colorful umbrella on the beach which made for a neat effect.
I continued my walk further south to the area I had last observed newly hatched shorebirds in mid-June.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.There were no very young birds observed on this visit.
I settled down at a place that would have easily been a comfortable observation point into the sunset hours.
The Snowy Plover juvenile above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.Least Tern, Ruddy Turnstone, Snowy Plover, Wilson's Plover, Osprey, Brown Pelican, Great Egret, Tricolored Heron, Western Sandpiper, Marbled Godwit, Mourning Dove, White Ibis, Anhinga, Double-crested Cormorant, and Willet were viewed before a sail kiter entered the scene.
Virtually all of the birds took flight and were not to return into view as the kiter made his way through the south lagoon numerous times.
The Least Tern 1st Year above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.At one point an alarm was heard which I thought was a warning for him to leave the critical wildlife area, but he carried on.
As the birds didn't return after I thought they would, I made my way back to the north lagoon.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.An American Oystercatcher was foraging there and after finding a worm immediately took flight.
I had considered heading back to Bunche, but thought the tide would still be too high for prolific wildlife activity while I left the Lagoon much later than I expected to.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.Afternoon thunderstorms held off on this day for a very rewarding opportunity to observe the juvenile shorebirds.
They will be gone or perhaps unrecognizable before I likely have the chance to observe them again at this ideal plumage stage.
The Sail Kiter above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.It was reported today that most regional wildfires have been extinguished by the summer rains.
Local firemen are expected to head out west to return the favor to those that came here to help this year and help with the less favorable conditions that remain in Arizona in particular.
The kite above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.Thanks to Vince Lucas for likely ID on the Western Sandpiper.
Tom Obrock told me Western Sandpiper to be a good sighting in July.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.It was a thrill to observe what I think were first year Least Terns.
The kiter certainly meant no foul and regrettably wasn't well educated on regard for wildlife.
The Least Tern 1st Year above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in July 2011.
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