The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.I had an opportunity to visit Little Estero Lagoon south of Fort Myers Beach, a mecca for shore and wading bird observation, on 29 June which offered what appeared an absence of that devastation. Although my visit was limited to the breeding area of the shorebirds, the beach that protects the south lagoon looked to me like it had sustained minimal erosive damage. However, the high tides and relentless storm surge were reported (see link above) to have caused the demise of countless shorebird hatchlings, and destroyed many turtle nests. At the time of my visit to the Lagoon, it appeared a turtle had made an effort to nest earlier in the day, but turned around without any evidence of digging based on the tracks it left behind. Least Tern, Common Tern, Red Knot, Sanderling, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Wilson's Plover, Willet, American Oystercatcher, White Ibis, Willet, Osprey, Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Roseate Spoonbill, Black Skimmer, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Ruddy Turnstone, Magnificent Frigatebird, and Brown Pelican were observed from one spot over a few hours time at the Lagoon approaching sunset. Two pairs of Least Tern were seemingly attempting to re-bond for perhaps a second attempt at mating and nesting. I interestingly observed an adult Least Tern bring a fish to a juvenile which refused it after having been fed ten minutes earlier. I am quite sure I have observed this behavior before, but am unsure whether the juvenile simply had a full belly or possibly was attempted to be fed by an adult other than one of its parents. Little Estero Lagoon remains accommodating to the wildlife that chooses to breed or merely find respite here. More wildlife study awaits.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Sanderling above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
Mary Goetzinger above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern with juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern with juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern with juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The scene above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern with juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Red Knot with a lone Sanderling above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The scene above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The scene above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Common Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
The sunset above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in June 2012.
Fantastic blog and quality pictures you have here!
ReplyDeleteEvery photo is a masterpiece!
Congratulations for your neat work!
It certainly deserves more than just my comment!
Cheers Bob!