The Great Blue Heron with Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.I enjoyed the company of Chris and Rachael Baker whom had arrived in the area from the United Kingdom for vacation.
Before we would make our way westward toward the channel, the sand gnats would prove themselves to be at their worst before sunrise where they seem to thrive in the mangroves.
The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.Once on the beach, the nuisance wasn't noticeable which is normal for Bunche even with the wind calm.
Rachael chose a fine spot to relax with a commanding view of the bay while Chris and I continued toward the west channel.
The Tricolored Heron with Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.With the flats so well exposed, the birds were spread out over the vast area.
In review of one of the first few images taken this day I was surprised to find a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in the shot while the bird was overlooked in real time.
The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.A large flock of undisturbed Black Skimmer took flight shortly after sunrise and did not return.
The Tricolored Heron I had previously seen in large numbers close to the channel were observed further west down the beach.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.Chris had inquired about the Reddish Egret that was not seen on this day while it offered its entertaining feeding behavior on a recent visit to the Preserve.
Peeps were in groups of a dozen or so scattered around the flats, but a good representation of what can reliably be seen on the beach was present directly in front of us with Chris pointing out Wilson's Plover to me.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.The flamingo, American Oystercatcher, and American Avocet hoped to be seen remained out of view.
Four Marbled Godwit were fairly close as we waited for flight opportunities of this gorgeous species.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.I was particularly captivated with a pair of Spotted Sandpiper that I've infrequently had the chance to observe.
A godwit made its way along the channel with an opportunity to observe its feeding behavior closely.
The American White Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.Several flocks of American White Pelican made westerly flybys, first in a group of 19, and then nine, and finally about 45 (with another flock seen later in the morning at the Outdoor Activity Center).
Cooper's Hawk was possibly seen at the Activity Center making a high altitude overflight, again westerly.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.It was earlier on the beach near the west channel that the unthinkable happened.
My tripod that I was optimistic would last a lifetime, though in a condition with the legs seized up from repeated exposure to salt water, gave way.
The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.As I attempted to splay the legs down to get a lower position for observation of the Spotted Sandpiper that were approaching closely, one of the legs broke below where it mounts to the collar.
It's for this reason that I will not acquire a carbon fiber tripod again for use in salt water.
The Spotted Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.As Chris pointed out to me, I could get a tripod at less than a quarter its cost and replace it as necessary, though I will miss the bubble level of the Gitzo.
Later in the week Chris joined me for a visit to the Bald Eagle's nest with the leg of the tripod heavily wrapped in Duck tape.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.This seems to be a suitable solution until I find a replacement tripod.
I have to think how fortunate I was that the failure of it happened the way it did where the camera didn't fall to the ground.
The Spotted Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.At the eagle's nest the conditions were very foggy and overcast even a few hours after sunrise which were very favorable for the sand gnats which attacked relentlessly.
Both eagles were in the nest upon our first observation with the birds feasting on fish.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.I believe the female left the nest first as indicated by the band on its leg.
The male left the nest shortly thereafter with the birds perching on trees less than 300 feet from one another.
The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2011.Although it's noted that the female of the species is larger than the male, when the birds are close together, I still find it difficult to distinguish them from one another.
This may be due to the female not yet fattened up for her chore of laying the eggs.
The banded Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in November 2011.On two of three visits now this month to observe the eagles, the birds have been feasting on fish upon arrival to the nest.
Although the conditions were still very foggy, a view of the eagles perched very close together off the nest offered a good view of the band on the bird closer to me.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in November 2011.The male followed her flight almost immediately with the birds remaining out of sight and sound through most of the remainder of the morning.
One of the eagles would make a brief reappearance near the nest though I wasn't able to determine whether it was the male or female.
The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in November 2011.By noon, species seen included White Ibis, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Northern Mockingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Snowy Egret, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Double-crested Cormorant, and an unknown species of duck.
Chris's keen eye and experience added Magnificent Frigatebird flying directly overhead which he noted it as his first sighting of the species on his trip with an Eastern Pheobe spotted by him near the eagle's nest as well which made the pheobe my first seen this season.
The White-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in November 2011.It was educational to hear Chris talk about the birds where I would learn the correct pronunciation of those I've been butchering verbally.
It appears that the mating behavior of the eagles might best be viewed with a late afternoon visit as I recall Red-shouldered Hawks in the Everglades area and Burrowing Owls at Cape Coral prefer that time of day for their propagation.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Lovers Key State Park at Big Carlos Pass in November 2011.It's good to know the Bald Eagle is no longer in danger of decline in numbers.
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