Winging It At Harns Marsh Preserve

While I've often referred to Bunche Beach Preserve as my favorite wildlife venue, an early November sunrise visit was made to my second favorite called Harns Marsh Preserve.

The American Coot above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

What immediately was obvious was the significant increase in the number of waterfowl present which exceeded their numbers personally seen at the peak of the season last year.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Northern Harrier above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Northern Harrier above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Pied-billed Grebe above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Crested Caracara seen on my previous visit to Harns a few weeks earlier was absent on this trip. I also failed to see or hear Great Horned Owl which was heard two visits earlier.

The Palm Warbler above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Cattle Egret above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

It was fun to see a Northern Harrier if only at a great distance. It was not so fun to see a Sandhill Crane that appeared to be afflicted with disease on one of its feet.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Belted Kingfisher above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Cattle Egret above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Ron Bishop above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Lee County Bird Patrol volunteer Ron Bishop was seen at Harns this day. Ron filled me in on the Purple Gallinule with chick he had reported at the preserve earlier in the month.

The Eastern Phoebe above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 18) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Eastern Phoebe above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Palm Warbler above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Black Vulture above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Before catching a glimpse of what may have been the male gallinule, Ron and I had the good fortune of observing a pair of American Bittern in flight.

The Tropical Checkered-Skipper above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Tricolored Heron above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The American Bittern above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The American Bittern above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

A new butterfly personally seen was readily identified by perusing the Florida butterfly gallery of Larry Manfredi.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

My thanks to Maria for the idea to number the images.