The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.I am guilty of not embracing this theory as I favor only one radio station and a handful of wildlife venues in the Fort Myers area (preferably beach venues). A remarkable place to view Florida's magnificent wildlife was recently brought to my attention by traveler's Suzanne and Réal Jauvin visiting from Quebec. This "inland" venue which I think should be called Jauvin Park as we had joked is located at the southeast corner of the yet to be completed intersection of Metro Parkway and Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers. The roadway is decades long in its planning to relieve congestion from primary north/south highway's 41 and 75 through Lee County. The wetland appears to have been enhanced as a drainage facility in the southwest corner of the Six Mile Cypress Watershed. The Metro Parkway extension was scheduled to have been completed, as originally contracted with Posen Construction (fired by the Florida Department of Transportation in part for "malfeasance" in 2011), in early 2012. This appears a classic case of failure of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In any event, the wildlife at this place was described as offering Black-necked Stilt at very close range. As I made my initial approach to the marsh, it was hidden by a berm on the south side of Exchange Lane as I wondered if I was at the right location. My first view of the marsh pleasingly had two stilt directly in front of me. Three more of the species would be seen shortly later. The marsh showed evidence of the end of the dry season with parched soil at its edge and wading birds having no trouble catching their quarry. This place immediately reminded me of Lakes Park for its abundant grackles and Harns Marsh Preserve for its prehistoric appeal. The most enjoyable experience of my initial visit here this week was a pair of Roseate Spoonbill that chose to land directly before me after I had settled down to observe the activity. The jumbo jets departing nearby Southwest Florida International Airport were for the most part silent. The bird species observed in my initial visit included the pair of Roseate Spoonbill, a first personal sighting of Solitary Sandpiper, Black-necked Stilt, Tricolored Heron, Brown Pelican, White Ibis, Least Sandpiper, Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle, Green Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, Mottled Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Common Gallinule, Little Blue Heron, Killdeer, Anhinga, Osprey, Blue Jay, Double-crested Cormorant, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, and an unidentified species of bird. Two bird species heard but not seen were Red-shouldered Hawk and Barred Owl. Insects seen were prolific. A visit along the treeline appears enticing with excellent calls emanating from it. Tom Obrock advised me that he had observed the week before other species not seen, so I made my second visit to the Metro Parkway extension marsh this week adding sightings of Red-shouldered Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Turkey Vulture, Caspian Tern, and Wood Stork while most species seen initially were again present. Tunnels are planned to be built under the highway to benefit Coyotes, Bobcats, snakes, alligators, and nuisance critters in the surrounding area. This must see venue in the immediate vicinity of Little Estero Lagoon, Bunche Beach Preserve and Harns Marsh is best visited for photography two hours from sunset. My thanks are extended to Vince Lucas, Hemant Kishan, Robert Doiron, and Vince McGrath for positive identification of the Solitary Sandpiper. Late contact was made with Tom.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Solitary Sandpiper above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The molting Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The immature White Ibis above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Blue-winged Teal above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Blue Jay above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Common Gallinule above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The American Coot above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Blue-winged Teal above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Green Heron above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Swallow-tailed Kite above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Anhinga above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Metro Parkway extension in April 2012.View more of this venue here . . . Metro Parkway Extension Wildlife Overload
Once again Bob has excelled.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images Bob, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the beauty of birds in motion in a most stunning way, Bob.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the beauty and identification of different the species.
cheers
I am in complete awe. Never before have I visited a blog and witnessed such beautiful images, esp. of birds in flight. You are amazing. I've had the opportunity to bird Fla. a few times, and will tuck this information away in case I am fortunate enough to ever return. Thank you for this incredible experience.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, Apr 27, 2012 6:26 PM
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
Glad you enjoyed the Metro Parkway Extension aka "Lanthier/Jauvin Marsh ;-) and we are really impressed by the number of superb images you were able to shoot there. We did not see the Roseate Spatula when we were there. This venue will probably be very popular, and hope to visit again next year.
Suzanne Lanthier www.pbase.com/sogen
Réal Jauvin www.pbase.com/laer