Friday, February 20, 2015

Harns Marsh Preserve Double Play

A visit to Harns Marsh Preserve was made on 15 December and 17 December with selected images presented here.


The Sandhill Crane above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

On the first visit I was in the good company of Frank Constantin visiting from Quebec, and the latter visit to Harns with Hemant Kishan visiting from Michigan.


The Sandhill Crane above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Northern Harrier above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Snail Kite above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

The number of species seen were greater on the visit to the preserve with Frank as we had arrived at sunrise.


The Snail Kite above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Snail Kite above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Ring-necked Duck above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

Highlights from that morning included observation of a Snail Kite which is a signature species at Harns Marsh.


The Wood Stork above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Tree Swallow above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Tree Swallow above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

There were also a pair of Northern Harrier which are always a thrill to watch as they hunt over the marsh.


The American Bittern above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The American Bittern above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Sora above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

We met Donna McMurrer for the first time who was very gracious in pointing out an American Bittern that she had been observing.


The Common Gallinule above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Least Bittern above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Least Bittern above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

After watching the American Bittern for some time another flew by as a Sora gave us a good show with its skulking and feeding behavior.


The Least Bittern above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Wilson's Snipe above (image 18) was photographed at my residence in December 2014.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

A Least Bittern was sighted by Ron Bishop further down the road allowing us very good looks of its feeding behavior, while the Wilson's Snipe was waiting for me at my residence.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Black Vulture above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

The visit to Harns Marsh Preserve with Hemant was a later arrival in the morning as we had made Church Road our first stop.


The Black Vulture above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Savannah Sparrow above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Little Blue Heron above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

It was especially fun to attempt to identify the swallows that were taking haven in the grass that had been freshly cut on my preceding visit.


The Little Blue Heron above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The Little Blue Heron above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.


The American Coot above (image 28) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

While thorough enjoyment is had in all my visits to Harns Marsh Preserve, these were especially fun in the company of great people.


The Palm Warbler above (image 29) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in December 2014.

10 comments:

  1. Wow on that Gallinule photo (#14) with the red shield reflecting off the water like it's a mirror!

    PS. Looks like you forgot to change the label on the coot (#28)

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    1. Thank you, AMR. I also neglected to change image 29 from image 28. Please imagine my haste in attempting to get the blog done on time this week with the last second cramming required. What is your name?

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  2. Wow, beautiful birds and great captures! Nice place to be!
    Have a nice weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Maria. We're being spared from the worst winter weather here in south Florida. Would not want to be anywhere else.

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  3. Loved # 2---glorious ! # 24--savannah sparrow... the green background greatly enhanced the sparrow...simply beautiful picture!
    Thanks Bob. Seeing your gorgeous pictures keeps me in touch with the great Creator.
    Adele

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  4. Hi Bob
    I just wanted to say thank you! we are now back in the very wet UK after two weeks in Fort Myers. Thanks to your advice we saw over 85 species with Harns Marsh & Bunch Beach being our top spots. Corkscrew Swamp was good & a trip to Fort DeSoto also a high on our list of highlights.
    Bird wise - it was the small waders which stood out for me (long billed Cerlew, Marbled Godwits at Bunch) - as well as a great sighting of a otter at Harns Marsh.
    We said it would be Texas next year but Fort Myers is already calling our names...
    So thanks once again for the advice - Nicky

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    1. Very pleased you had a rewarding time, Nicky. I hope to see you next year.

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  5. Bob -- Harns Marsh's true birding potential is borne out by your beautiful documentation of its birdlife. Loved the Snail Kite shots (can anyone ever tire of seeing this raptor?) and always a delight to see both bitterns!

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    1. Thank you, Hemant. The East County Water Control District that manages the marsh appears to have found a very favorable water level for the wildlife.

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