Vince McGrath, a Lee County birding authority, presented a short movie and then a slideshow at the
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in Fort Myers on 20 September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Listening to Vince, also a former President of
Audubon of Southwest Florida, were 23 attendees including myself. He offered an entertaining education through his extensive wildlife observations in the immediate area and beyond, as well as through his knowledge of bird behavior. With Vince's permission, it was my hope to record his presentation. But in the excitement of the moment I forgot to make use of the cell phone for that purpose. I asked my fellow participants if they would object to having their photo taken. Considering how dark it was in the planetarium to allow for Vince's movie and slides to appear on the concave ceiling, the flash had to be bright. I know the flash was distracting, especially to Vince who got the worst of it. Thanks to all for your tolerance. It had been a long while since I used flash indoors and was working with a tripod that has been disintegrating from its exposure to salt water. The tripod was making distracting noises with any minor adjustment. Again, everyone appeared tolerant. Vince has observed more than two-thirds of the known birds to be seen in Florida and well over 600 in his birding career. He at one point joked about a pair of Least Terns that appeared to be guarding a golf ball while noting that they would name the offspring Spalding if it hatched. Vince fielded questions about what makes birding interesting to him, the use of calls to attract wildlife, among others. Vince commented that Bunche Beach Preserve has the best habitat in the area for wildlife viewing. The man was very authoritative, sincere and entertaining. It was your loss not to be there. Vince's 2012 Hawk Watch at
Sanibel Lighthouse was noted to be on schedule for 21 October at 8:00am. A quick trip was made to
Bunche Beach Preserve on the late afternoon of 27 September to be able to include some timely wildlife images here. The greatest thrill was being strafed by a Peregrine Falcon. The predator caused all the shorebirds to take flight. Most of the waders remained stationary. The sound of the event was remarkable.
The wildlife enthusiast above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The wildlife enthusiasts above were photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The wildlife enthusiasts above were photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The wildlife enthusiasts above were photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The wildlife enthusiasts above were photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Carl Veaux, President of Audubon of Southwest Florida, above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The wildlife enthusiasts above were photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The wildlife enthusiast above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
Vince McGrath above was photographed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium in September 2012.
The banded Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The banded Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Black-bellied Plover with Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Forster's Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The scene above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Peregrine Falcon above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The immature Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The immature Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The juvenile White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
The sunset above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in September 2012.
