The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.Regular readers know that this is my favorite wildlife venue with a long overdue return made nearly two months since my last visit. Tom Obrock advised me that these uncommon birds would most likely be observed in the company of Sandwich Terns if in the area. The classic story Wonderful Wizard of Oz struck a chord as I pondered a theme for this series of articles. The evil witches in the story represent a number of unfavorable conditions for ideal wildlife observation and photography at Bunche Beach Preserve that I liken to their sorcery. The witch of a very high tide at Bunche should be avoided. This is the time when the birds that are cordoned into a relatively small area should be given the greatest amount of space. The witch of the winds is of interest with the aves flying at seemingly supernatural speed when the wind is from the south. This condition makes flight photography significantly more challenging. When photographing birds at Bunche Beach, remember that you should ideally have the wind at your back at sunrise and sunset.
The 1st year Least Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher with Western Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Semipalmated Plover with Sanderling above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey with Barn Swallow above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The 1st year Least Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The 1st year Least Tern with Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The 1st year Least Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The 1st year Least Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The 1st year Least Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part II.
Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part III.
Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part IV.
Your images set the standard for SW Florida. Great series, hard to pick a fav. I would lean towards the profiled Royal Tern. Blue Skies.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the very kind comment, Ken. The images presented in this article are a partial selection from the first of five trips made to Bunche (thus far) for this multi-part series. It was great to finally meet you and am thrilled that you had no hesitation crossing the east channel. The overcast skies toward the west at sunset were unfortunate.
DeleteExcelentes vuelos,, un placer verlo. Saludos
ReplyDeleteStunning pictures!
ReplyDeleteI'll take the lot!!
Makes me wish I could live by the sea-side!
Congratulations!