Friday, May 30, 2014

A Garden Of Eden: Part II

Images presented in this article are from additional observations at Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area on 21 May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

I couldn't help but devote significant observation time to several Northern Flickers which are a species I rarely see at other wildlife venues. It was particularly enjoyable for me to observe the flickers in flight which allowed for a view of their very distinctive appearance with the yellow underwings while Gilded Flicker is likely similar.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The bird food above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

It wasn't until very late in my stay at the wildlife area on 21 May that I discovered an oasis that near high noon and afterwards offered a respite to many dozens of birds that were remarkably active. This time of day is typically when wildlife is at its most quiet.


The Wood Stork above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Eastern Black Swallowtail above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

The bird species observed here seemed guardians of what appeared to be a paradise for them. I was actually so much in awe of what I was observing that I captured relatively few images with a select few which will appear in the next article.


The Northern Mockingbird above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

As noted in the previous article, the time devoted to wildlife observation at Babcock-Webb this day was very extensive and will not conclude until the third and final article in this series which will include highlights from additional visits to the venue on 25 May, and again on 26 May.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

If one were to consider a birding destination at a time least favorable for racking up bird species numbers, or for the mere pleasure of observing a few specialties in the area of southwest Florida, Babcock-Webb WMA should be considered for a visit throughout the summer months.


The dragonfly above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The dragonfly above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Brown-headed Nuthatch above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

This venue certainly should be considered a jewel for Charlotte County and Rex Rowan's June Challenge. You may consider birding in the air conditioned comfort of your car which would additionally serve as a blind to minimize disturbance of the birds.


The Hairy Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The dragonfly above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

Though I have not done this myself (yet), a walk along Seaboard Grade seems a required activity at Backcock-Webb WMA which you may revel in with its reported shady comfort.


The Eastern Towhee above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

Please also see: A Garden Of Eden Part I
Please also see: A Garden Of Eden Part III

Friday, May 23, 2014

A Garden Of Eden: Part I

Before this writing, nearly a week had passed since Tom Wymelenberg advised me of a Northern Flicker nest cavity at the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area resulting in my re-visit to the magnificent wildlife venue on the morning of 21 May.


The scene above was photographed at Babcock-Webb wildlife management area in May 2014.

Tom W had given very good directions to the nest, but I failed to see activity at dawn and at the later noon time observation. If I were looking in the right area, I would speculate that my relatively brief observation time of an hour at this spot was poor, that there was a tragic event of predation, or the birds simply fledged the nest which is my hope.


The Pine Warbler above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Brown-headed Nuthatch above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Brown-headed Nuthatch above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

While I have not made many trips to Babcock-Webb WMA, this latest visit was immensely enjoyable with greater time spent here in a day than compared to any other venue that I recall.


The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

Tom had advised of Common Nighthawk on the ground. Not knowing where he was referring to, I as well had a very close encounter with the species which nests here.


The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The banded Red-cockaded Woodpecker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

It was rewarding to see that the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were active and banded. It is possible that the birds are merely establishing relationships at this point.


The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

While the Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area can certainly be considered as near nirvana which I have known for some time, it wasn't until this week that I found what I would describe as a wildlife garden of eden.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.


The Northern Flicker above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

This place will hopefully be able to be revisited before it floods while certainly reported about further next week.


The Common Ground Dove above was photographed at Babcock/ Webb Wildlife Management Area in May 2014.

Please also see: A Garden Of Eden Part II
Please also see: A Garden Of Eden Part III

Friday, May 16, 2014

Common Nighthawks At Festival Park

A trip to Festival Park in Cape Coral, Florida, was made on 5 May when I should have been at Captiva Island with family to view the sunset.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.

Miscommunication in a rendezvous point and objective led to an image bonanza for me that includes my first observation of Common Nighthawk at Festival Park in this report. I believe there were three distinct birds of the species seen with one of them landing on a wire. It was my good fortune to have Karen show me the sunset from Captiva which made me feel much better.


The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Eastern Meadowlark above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.

Though I have lost count as to how many visits I have made to Festival Park for wildlife observation and photography, the park will always remain indelible for visits including those with Chris Baker, Frank Constantin, Hemant Kishan, Artie Morris, Tom Obrock, and Adams Serra in particular.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.

Tom had given me the impression with a previous report from Festival Park that the Florida Scrub-Jay might have been displaced, but a small group of three jays were at the western fringe of the unassuming park where they should be expected this week.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Mourning Dove above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.

While the nighthawks overwhelmed me on this visit with their interesting flight noise, the most common birds seen by their numbers were meadowlark and shrike with the latter on the wires.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.

It was unfortunate to not see owls of any kind on this trip to Festival Park with immature Burrowing Owls prolific nearer the Caloosahatchee River this time of year.


The Florida Scrub-Jay above was photographed at Festival Park in May 2014.