Friday, February 28, 2014

An Eleven Hour SW Florida Birding Day: Part II

During a three hour visit to the Whites in Alva around midday warbler activity was an unexpected treat on 16 February 2014.


The Painted Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird was a significant focus of my attention as well, as Painted and Indigo Buntings worked the White's feeders. The front yard of the White's offers trees draped in Spanish Moss which allowed for additional interest in the habitat the birds were observed.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The American Goldfinch above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The American Goldfinch above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The American Goldfinch above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Painted Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Painted Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Carolina Wren above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Carolina Wren above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Gray Squirrel above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.

A couple of ventures were made into the White's backyard where doves were prolific, but intolerant of my presence as they took flight to nearby trees. Here as well there was a lot of avian activity among a Gray Squirrel observing me.


The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Northern Parula above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Northern Parula above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Northern Parula above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Northern Parula above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Ruby-throated Hummingbird above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Ruby-throated Hummingbird above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.

Back in the front yard a Black-and-white Warbler was seen, but I failed to capture its image as it worked the branches quickly and briefly. It was my good fortune to speak with the Whites who returned before I made my way back to Church Road.


The Ruby-throated Hummingbird above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Ruby-throated Hummingbird above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The Indigo Bunting above was photographed at the White's feeders in February 2014.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.

Upon my arrival at Church Road at the intersection of State Road 29 there was an abundance of American Robin that were seen earlier in the day. The cemetery on the southwest corner of the intersection offered a lot of activity which I did not investigate closely.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Western Kingbird above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Green Heron above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The White-tailed Deer above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The White-tailed Deer above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Red Admiral butterfly above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Red Admiral butterfly above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.

A solitary Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and several Western Kingbirds were also observed at Gate 2 as expected. I am curious to know where the other four STFL have moved to. The canal that intersects Church Road at Gate 2 seems to attract wildlife as a magnet. Late in the day flyovers became commonplace from east to west including that of a solitary Glossy Ibis.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.

Crested Caracara were again a highlight of the journey late in the day. A second mating event of the species was observed near sunset on the property of Tim Willis. I am very grateful for his invitation. Seven hours and seventeen minutes had passed between the mating events observed.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The American Robin above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The sunset above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.


The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.

A very rewarding day it was with my first personal sighting of a Red Admiral butterfly a bonus.


The sunset above was photographed at Church Road in February 2014.

Please see: An Eleven Hour SW Florida Birding Day: Part I