While I had forsaken wildlife activity at Bunche Beach Preserve for virtually the entire 2013-14 winter season, I have attempted to make up for it with 10 hours of observation over three visits at the onset of Spring 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
This installment represents the 30 March visit to Bunche Beach which is the second of the trips. This visit was timed at sunrise with the tide most favorable. The wind was brisk from the northwest.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
My observations were made from the west channel which I crossed at one point to get closer to the Bald Eagles that were loafing on the flats for a short period of time. The eagles are the dominant aves species at the beach at this time.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
I was occasionally rewarded to see birds that were banded. A Piping Plover with bands that I had not seen before was reported to Alice Van Zoeren. As always with my Piping Plover reports, I heard back from Alice in a very timely manner.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit 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 Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Alice advised me that the plover reported is a member of the Great Lakes Population hatched at North Manitou Island and is expected to return there. Alice also noted that the bird observed had "brooding bands" as indicated by the deteriorating band with the orange tape which will be replaced if the bird is recaptured.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
A significant amount of time was devoted to observing Marbled Godwit. This species has always captivated my attention with its appearance especially remarkable at times. There were as many as eleven of the birds seen together at one time this day.
The Dunlin 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 Black-bellied Plover 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 Black-bellied Plover 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 Sanderling above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Two species of fish were caught by Osprey in a very short period of time which showed good water quality in San Carlos Bay. I was surprised that no one commented about
the Laughing Gull's puffer fish presented last week.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Black Skimmer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The waders put on a show that was impossible to ignore. Near the parking area to conclude the visit to Bunche this day, I was advised by a fellow visitor that an alligator was observed at the west channel. I returned there, but there was no gator or evidence of it.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Semipalmated Plover 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 Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Osprey above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
I don't question the presence of the beast as another visitor claimed to have observed and photographed it as well. This was certainly unusual and should never be expected. Comment on this alligator observed in a saltwater environment, and this venue in particular, would be appreciated.
The Black-bellied Plover 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 Black-bellied Plover 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 Willet above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Barefoot visitors were warned of broken glass seen at this venue which they said they pick up. The glass appears to have been maliciously littered at this beach, and since some of it is clear you are strongly advised not to walk without footwear here.
The banded Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The banded Piping Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Reddish Egret (white morph) above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Reddish Egret (white morph) above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
The Reddish Egret (white morph) above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Migratory species were beginning to show signs of change in their plumage.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in March 2014.
Loved your photos as always. I especially like when the water droplets are present - great capture!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine a more rewarding hobby than this, France. You have me looking more closely at images captured with water droplets in the frame. At least one with you in mind will be presented in the next article.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shot of the Bald Eagle, Bob!
ReplyDeleteI tell everyone I know that loves birds or loves to paint birds to visit your site! Simply amazing!
ReplyDelete