Migration Action At Bunche Beach Preserve

A visit to Bunche Beach was made this week with anticipation that the unexpected would be observed.

The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

Such was the case about an hour after my arrival and trek to the west channel.

A rain storm appeared from nowhere as the sky appeared accommodating for outdoor activity with merely puffy clouds from horizon to horizon.

The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

I was prepared for such an eventuality with a trash bag at the ready to cover the camera.

After observing a lot of shore birds closer to shore as the tide was fairly high, but receding, I made my way into San Carlos Bay to have the sun behind me.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

With the flats of the bay still under water, the birds were concentrated in several areas fairly close to shore.

I made my study of Short-billed Dowitcher that were in great numbers among a good number of Least Sandpiper.

The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

With the trash bag on the gear, I made an attempt to photograph the birds in the rain which was a first attempt at this.

That was an interesting experience and will try to do better when the next safe opportunity arises.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

I thought of Chris Baker visiting from Great Britain this past winter when we were in the same vicinity at the Preserve running for cover unprepared.

Black Skimmers nearing a dozen in number flew into the area which was a nice surprise as I hadn't seen this species in a long while as well.

The scene above above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

They would stay mainly distant and didn't offer many flybys.

Bird migration is certainly underway with reports coming in of warblers observed on the east coast of Florida.

The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

A lone Black-bellied Plover was observed at the Preserve.

A solitary Brown Pelican was observed as well while they are typically seen in better numbers in the winter months.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

After the rain passed, I had the opportunity to photograph a Least Tern hovering above the channel.

I had to aim toward the sun requiring a negative exposure bias as the background was considerably dark.

The Forster's Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

I find this a very entertaining characteristic of the species which it almost always has been observed to do before diving for a fish.

I was torn between devoting my time to the study and photography of the shore birds and wading birds that were all around me.

The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

It wasn't until in the very late afternoon that the first signs of a powerful thunderstorm appeared.

A particular bolt of lightning was observed to the east that flashed for upwards of two seconds.

The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

The clap of thunder was not heard for a long while which placed the approaching storm at about five miles.

I devoted some time to photograph a lighting strike unsuccessfully while the birds in the bay became much more active seemingly sensing that they had little time left to capture their prey.

The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

A pair of Roseate Spoonbill flew in from the west after the first arrived about fifteen minutes earlier.

None of the spoonbills were banded nor were any other bird observed which was somewhat of a disappointment.

The Least Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

There were surprisingly few White Ibis that landed in the area with a few more that in flight from the Gulf seemed content to head directly to their roosts.

The unmistakable call of a Great Blue Heron was heard before I saw the bird.

The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

It landed behind me and made its way slowly among the twenty or so egrets and herons already in the immediate area.

Several Tricolored Heron opted to take flight as the Great Blue approached them.

The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

They may have been juveniles that considered it a threat.

There were a couple of water craft that made there way into the bay from the Activity Center with their occupants undeterred as the storm approached.

The scene above above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

A small number of fellow visitors to the Preserve that ventured close to me were either collecting shells, observing the wildlife, or finding something fresh for dinner.

As was typical, I experienced crabs nipping at my knees in the mud which I'm still not accustomed to and likely never will be.

The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

The storm approached as close as I'd allow before I was compelled to call it a day.

I made it to the car minutes before the worst of the deluge.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

I noticed this week that the parking ticket at Bunche Beach Preserve prints with Bowditch Point (across the bay) as the location.

This makes a visit to both parks possible without incurring a parking violation.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.

A Lee County Parks and Recreation non-transferable parking sticker is currently available for $60 per year.

I very much would like your opinion by participating in my poll question of you that can be seen above in the right margin.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in July 2011.