Cape Coral's Signature Species'

Birding in southwest Florida in the late April and early May must include an effort to observe Cape Coral's Burrowing Owls and Florida Scrub-Jays.

The Burrowing Owl owlet above (image 1) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

Burrowing Owlets are easily seen at this time of year with the time of their hatching dependent in part on the weather (sometimes later due to flooding of the tunnels). The mating of the adults can be observed with greater effort in late March and early April.

The Burrowing Owl owlet above (image 2) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl owlet above (image 3) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Cooper's Hawk above (image 4) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Cooper's Hawk above (image 5) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 6) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

This presentation was made possible by a visit to Cape Coral on 5 May. I opted for another morning visit as thunderstorms have begun forming early this year and typically form in the late afternoon.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 7) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 8) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 9) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 10) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 11) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

While observing the Burrowing Owls, a Cooper's Hawk made a couple of flybys that caught the attention of all the other birds in the area. A flock of Monk Parakeets also made an appearance with their presence heard first.

The Burrowing Owl owlet above (image 12) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl with owlet above (image 13) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl with owlet above (image 14) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl owlet above (image 15) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Burrowing Owl owlet above (image 16) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

I could not resist a long overdue return to Festival Park where I was confident I would observe Florida Scrub-Jays. A Bald Eagle was observed flying toward the northeast. A lone Burrowing Owl was also observed at the park.

The Burrowing Owl above (image 17) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Florida Scrub-Jay above (image 18) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

While the Burrowing Owl and Florida Scrub-Jay can be seen elsewhere in Florida, Cape Coral is a superb location to readily find both species.

The Florida Scrub-Jay above (image 19) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.

The Florida Scrub-Jay above (image 20) was photographed in Cape Coral in May 2015.