With days passing quickly since the start of this report from Bunche Beach Preserve, more typical Florida weather is setting in (warmer thankfully) with there seemingly no rhyme or reason to
climate change this past winter.
The juvenile Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
I occasionally am reminded of late that it has been eight years since Florida has been at the forefront of news breaking hurricane activity. This has certainly been welcome, with others likely having a negative impact. Sir Attenborough notes disorder in the "climate change" link above. I haven't viewed part II of his series on this subject as of this writing.
The Dunlin above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Little Blue heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
So I'm at the beach this past week with no relief from a cold northerly wind. A relative dry spot offering a shorebird's eye view of the habitat was found. So low was the perspective that I didn't get a good shot of the bird's bands for reporting.
The Short-billed Dowitcher with Dunlin above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The total number of birds at Bunche Beach Preserve seen this day of 26 March were the most I have seen at this venue. Certainly a good sign to counter reports, particularly from
Chris Baker, that bird activity here has been declining.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
As was typical, my observation points remained from a few stationary positions. This is a preferred technique where you offer the least disturbance to the wildlife. The shorebirds in particular certainly get their fill of it with the overpass of predators.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The immature Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Abundant Osprey here are always entertaining to observe in their fishing behavior, though seemingly have no impact on fellow bird behavior. That of a Bald Eagle is a different story while the species sometimes will have hundreds of birds take flight in alarm.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
With the open expanse at Bunche Beach Preserve, you have the opportunity to become aware of the overflight of large birds merely through their shadow created by the sun. This event captivates my attention to see what is above and which otherwise might not be seen.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
An effort was made to get acquainted to a merganser anticipating its drift in the current, though the species proved more skittish than that of
a loon that I could have touched as it passed me at this venue previously.
The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Please see:
A SW Florida Early Spring Storm Front: Part I
Great shots! and yes,very entertaining!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
Thank you for your loyalty to this blog especially, Maria. Continue the beautiful work at yours.
DeleteExcellent pics
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tom. Can't wait to see the wildlife through your eyes with your new SX50!
DeleteThat one eye peeking from the Oystercatcher is a keeper! I love these guys.
ReplyDeleteA stunning species that will hopefully nest successfully at Little Estero Lagoon this summer.
DeleteJust ran across your blog and your spectacular photos Bob! Love 'em!! If I might ask a question though...I'm considering a 5-day trip to SW FL over Memorial day weekend to do some bird photography and was wondering if you could offer some hints on good places to go that might not be filled up with tourists? I've been reading about many places along the coast (Venice Beach, Little Estero Beach, Ding Darling, etc) which are places I'd love to sop at but not sure how crowded they may be over the holidays. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks...!!
ReplyDeleteHi Rich, An exodus of winter residents is already underway with a significant reduction in traffic on the highways noticed. After the Easter holiday, it is comparatively like a ghost town here compared to the peak of the "tourist" season (quite a refreshing time actually). Summer holidays are negligible for beach "traffic." The 2014 Memorial Day weekend has favorable tides for Bunche Beach Preserve from the late afternoon to sunset only. Ding Darling is not recommended to be visited at that time due to less than favorable tides. Little Estero Lagoon should be investigated at any time you are able to visit it. I am more concerned about too much rainfall, or the wet season beginning too early at this point. It has been a wet winter. The drydown of Six Mile Cypress Lake (Metro) could be very rewarding if conditions become drier. The Venice Rookery would be caught at the latter part of the nesting season. I would not discourage you from visiting there. If you are that far north, I would advise you to stop at Powerline Road for a possible observation of early Mississippi Kites. You should be looking for Burrowing Owl activity in Cape Coral at any time during the holiday weekend. The heavy rains the last couple of months may have delayed mating activity which could offer very young owls at the time of your visit. Festival Park continues to offer Florida Scrub Jays. A rewarding visit awaits in any event.
DeleteThanks for the detailed reply Bob! I'm still trying to get my head around all the different locations you mentioned and that I've read about. Was debating about going down to Everglades city but with the prices I've seen down there for tours and such, I think I'll stay farther north; besides, it appears that there are more opportunities up that way for birding opportunities. I was originally thinking Venice Rookery (we'll be coming from the North - Panama City actually - and I also wanted to try to take in the Burrowing Owls as well. And Little Estero Lagoon is in the same general area and looks like it would be a good visit as well. Haven't heard of Bunche Beach Preserve before except here on your blog. I presume it's also in that general area as well? We're looking forward to the trip! You certainly do have a whole lot more great birding locations for photography than we do up here!
ReplyDeleteRich, My recommendation to you is to visit Bunche Beach Preserve each day you are in the area as recommended. Also visit Harns Marsh Preserve (best experienced in the morning which is perfect considering favorable tides at the beach in the afternoon at the time of your potential visit). At least one morning visit should be made to Little Estero Lagoon as well (walk extensively). That will leave you two to three mornings for the Burrowing Owls. Driving will be kept to a minimum if you stick with these highly recommended venues and are centrally located. I hope you have investigated the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail website for all the best venues in Florida which should include your own backyard.
DeleteA delight to see so many fantastic birds,i really love all those birds captured in flight.
ReplyDeleteSuperb captures.
John.
Thanks, John. Flight opportunities at Bunche are commonplace. I have have devoted as much time to this venue as possible which is not enough.
DeleteMagnificient shots!
ReplyDeleteBravo and thanks for sharing.
***
Have a nice week
Thank you, Mildred. I strive to improve results of each observation.
Delete