Friday, February 22, 2013

Six Mile Cypress Lake: Mid Winter Part III

This is the third entry in a series of articles highlighting mid winter wildlife observations made at Six Mile Cypress Lake at Metro Parkway and Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers, Florida.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

There are a handful of images here which were captured on my 6 February 2013 visit to the venue in the remaining light of the day. Selected images are also presented from another late afternoon visit the following day. As images in this blog are typically presented in chronological order, those toward the end of this article were captured at the beginning of my third visit to Six Mile Cypress Lake this winter on 11 February, again a late afternoon visit.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Pied-billed Grebe with American Coot above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Great Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Most interesting, I found a pair of Caspian Tern feeding at the venue. The tern behavior I initially thought involving an immature individual seeking sustenance from its parent led to the comment by Hemant Kishan advising that it might involve behavior of mature birds. It was good fortune to observe this tern species that are more likely to be seen at the beaches. However, the Caspian Tern has been personally observed even further inland at STA5 at opportune times. The feeding behavior of the terns resulted in my attempt to capture as much action as possible. Therefore many images of the Caspian Tern are presented.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Waders that can be routinely found in the surf of the Gulf or virtually anywhere in Florida where there is water remain prolific at this venue. There were two bird species seen extremely briefly as they flew by me too quickly where I remain unsure of their identification. Tom Obrock advised me of his visit to this venue 21 February noting observation of American Bittern, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow. The Grasshopper Sparrow will be a lifer for me when I get a photo of it. Tom confirmed the AMBI I thought I had seen on 18 February.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Six Mile Cypress Lake is a great stop to make on a birding tour of southwest Florida in the winter months into spring for sure. You may flush something surprising. Be patient and anticipatory. Plan to devote hours (photography in the late afternoon recommended) with Six Mile Cypress Lake a must see if you are in the area. Keep your hearing acute above the drone of increasing vehicle traffic for calls from the more distant trees on the fringe of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. Tom has advised me he has made two first of season observations of the majestic Swallow-tailed Kite, but the species has eluded me. The kite should be seen with regularity at the Lake in the months ahead.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Common Gallinule above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Great Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Mallard above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Mallard above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Mallard above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

The Mallard observed very briefly at Six Mile Cypress Lake was lacking the distinctive white neck ring of the drake. I investigated this to determine that the bird seen is a hybrid, though remain unsure of the other lineage it has within it. Closer to home, for those following the blog over the long haul, I have not seen the albino lizard for many months. Its abode in the breezeway has been disrupted by painting maintenance while a Little Blue Heron has stealthily been thinning out the Brown Anole with abandon. The Northern Mockingbird has returned to its favored tree, but is not yet singing from sunset to sunrise.

The Pied-billed Grebe with American Coot above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article I
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article II
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article III
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article IV
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article V
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article VI

Friday, February 15, 2013

Six Mile Cypress Lake: Mid Winter Part II

Six Mile Cypress Lake has proven itself to be a magnet for birds even at a time I would consider less than favorable with the lake's water level relatively high.


The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Please do not confuse this venue with the lake adjacent to Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve at Penzance Boulevard. Differentiate the locations of these two lakes which are both on the fringe of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve by utilizing the links to maps in the blog. The images presented in this winter series at the Lake thus far are from 6 February 2013.


The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Anhinga above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Wood Stork above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Waterfowl were relatively few in number compared to those observed earlier at Domestic Avenue Ponds nearby. It was interesting to observe numerous Pied-billed Grebe in their routine. The grebes are able to submerge in a sinking fashion without concern for their buoyancy. Once the birds go under, they may travel great distances before they reemerge. The grebes are showing breeding plumage.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis with White Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Although I see the sought after Roseate Spoonbill by visitors to the area most frequently at Bunche Beach Preserve, a solitary individual of the species would make a flyover without any apparent intent of landing. This countered the behavior of many other waders that made their way west at sunset that circled the lake at the least before deciding to move on.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Snowy Egret with Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

It was my good fortune to observe two dozen or more Glossy Ibis with a few that chose to make landfall at close range allowing my better documentation of the species. A pleasant surprise was the arrival of a pair of Caspian Tern that appeared very late. Their behavior was intriguing as I am not exactly sure of the facts.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

It appeared that only one of the Caspian Tern was diving for fish. The bird engaged in that feeding behavior was successful after several attempts. The other tern was extremely vocal which leads me to believe that it may have been immature as opposed to a mate. There certainly wasn't the exchange of the catch in flight as the hunter devoured the fish after maneuvering its position in the bill. The Forster's Tern has been the most animated thus far observed in how it deals with its catch.


The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

A good alternative to watching a Hollywood movie that may have cost a hundred million dollars is to visit this venue devoting your equivalent time in observing evolution hundreds of millions of years in the making.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.


The Caspian Tern above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Lake in February 2013.

Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article I
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article II
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article III
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article IV
Please see: Six Mile Cypress Lake Article V