The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.The Black Tern remained elusive although I had a sense that it was close. It had likely been a visitor to the Lagoon for a mere few days or less. The bird at the time of my visit may have been disturbed by the many pedestrians shelling making good use of low tides that exposed the flats in the Gulf of Mexico at this location the likes of which I had not seen before. Under the circumstances, there was no chance for other shorebirds to loaf and bathe undisturbed.
The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Osprey above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.The first wildlife to capture my interest this day was an Osprey bathing well south of the shellers. I chose not to get in a better position for light on the bird which would have required walking a couple hundred feet into the Gulf. That would not have been a problem as the depth of the water would have been relatively shallow, but I chose to give the Osprey a very wide berth.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.After the Osprey continued on its way I made my way further south toward the bridge at Big Carlos Pass. It was there that I found a much greater concentration of Least Tern nesting among Snowy Plover. The terns were for the most part unusually docile and apparently resting for their last of the day feeding efforts when the tide would change. I couldn't resist observing their bathing behavior.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover chick above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover with chick above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover chick above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover chick above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover chick above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.Observations made on this day and the previous one offered no mating events or attempts made. Notably a weather event that significantly disrupts the nesting colony early in the season there may result in another attempt to lay eggs. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior makes reference that Least Tern are of greater concern for perpetuation in California while Black Tern is less so.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Snowy Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Green Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.After observations near the bridge I made my way northward. Periodic stops were made to observe that which you can see through the images here. A possible Roseate Tern was missed as well while the species is noted as a possible sighting by the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail website. Be sure not to overlook the GFBWT link that allows you to identify recently sighted specialty birds.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Magnificent Frigatebird above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Magnificent Frigatebird juvenile above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.Snowy Plover fuzzballs walked by me with amazing speed for their size. A concerted effort was made to ensure that the images captured were level while they may not appear so in some instances. A Great Blue Heron was photographed from several positions while adjusting the camera's settings for control of the light for different effect. Little Estero Lagoon is a venue that must be visited at every opportunity.
The scene above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.A Florida Keys specialty seen at Bunche Beach Preserve on 26 May, hat tip to Vince McGrath for its report, I hope to observe a second time to present to you for great interest.
The moonrise above was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in May 2013.Please see: Fuzzballs At Little Estero Lagoon Part I
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