The juvenile Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.It was a treat to plod though a large number of images taken for this series of articles, but I'm not accustomed to such relative relaxation in reporting to you. Again, it was a treat to meet up with Ken Conger whom has a very entertaining wildlife blog. Tom Obrock advised me as well that he has updated his blog highlighting his recent pelagic trip into the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean. The birds at Bunche, which I would describe as awesome at the end of August, were apparently a mere prelude to what is going on there now according to local birding master, and former President of Audubon of Southwest Florida, Vince McGrath. It was a treat to hear Vince speak as he presented a video and slideshow at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium on 20 September 2012. Vince noted well in excess of 700 Black Skimmers at Bunche on one of his recent trips there. I can only think of one more witch of the venue not already mentioned in its lack of parking availability in the winter months when the tourists make good sunbathing use of the place. Time your visits to Bunche located in South Fort Myers any time of year, though most favorably at a low tide close to sunrise and/or sunset, for some of the best birding observations and photography you can have. In the photo series of the Laughing Gull chasing the White Ibis with a worm, I consider it unfortunate to have missed the instant of the theft of the prey. Renowned wildlife photographer Artie Morris has published a very good article on etiquette for fellow photographers and for the sake of the birds themselves.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The scene above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The juvenile White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Great Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with 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 White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The White Ibis with Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Bottlenose Dolphin above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Bottlenose Dolphin above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Bottlenose Dolphin above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
Ken Conger above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.
The sunset above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2012.Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part I.
Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part II.
Please see The Witches Of Bunche Beach Preserve: Part III.
What a brilliant post!
ReplyDeleteThe poor spoonbill had to give up his water-snake to the laughing gull... What a series! A movie would have tops!
A real ballet you offer us here!
Funny how we have a similar image today, you of the Little Blue Heron, me of an egret!
It is interesting to observe the dominant behavior of the Laughing Gull over wading birds in particular. The Snowy Egret is the only species of similar size to the gull that seems to hold its own. The waders offering the most interesting feeding behavior are the Reddish Egret and Tricolored Heron. I favor the Reddish Egret as it has more lift in its movement.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to make a comment, Fernando. I'm glad you found interest. The work at your blog is eye candy at its best. I hope others will investigate what you see through the lens of your camera.
ReplyDelete