Friday, January 1, 2016

6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part I

This multi-part series highlights a number of trips made to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.


The Great Blue Heron above (image 1) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.

Images from visits to the Refuge on 26 October and 11 November are included here in Part I. A favorable wind was very helpful in keeping the no-see-ums at bay on most visits.


The White Ibis above (image 2) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 3) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Osprey above (image 4) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Osprey above (image 5) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Snowy Egret above (image 6) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Willet with prey above (image 7) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Laughing Gull with prey and Willet above (image 8) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Laughing Gull with prey and Willet above (image 9) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Laughing Gull with prey above (image 10) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The White Ibis with Snowy Egret above (image 11) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Willet with Laughing Gull and Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 12) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The White Ibis above (image 13) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Little Blue Heron above (image 14) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Reddish Egret above (image 15) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The banded Reddish Egret above (image 16) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The White Ibis above (image 17) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above (image 18) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 19) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper with prey above (image 20) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 21) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 22) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 23) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 24) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 25) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Great Blue Heron above (image 26) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Osprey above (image 27) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Osprey above (image 28) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Osprey above (image 29) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 30) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Merlin above (image 31) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Willet above (image 32) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The juvenile White Ibis with Willet above (image 33) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 34) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Reddish Egret with prey above (image 35) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The Reddish Egret with prey above (image 36) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October 2015.


The American Alligator above (image 37) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 38) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Belted Kingfisher with prey above (image 39) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above (image 40) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Black-crowned Night-Heron above (image 41) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Tricolored Heron above (image 42) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 43) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The White Ibis with prey above (image 44) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Laughing Gull above (image 45) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The juvenile Snowy Egret above (image 46) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The juvenile White Ibis above (image 47) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 48) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 49) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.


The Dunlin with Least Sandpiper above (image 50) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

Please be sure to be reminded about this weekly Southwest Florida Wildlife Blog with the email gadget located at the top of the page.


The banded Reddish Egret above (image 51) was photographed at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in November 2015.

Please also see 6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part II
Please also see 6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part III
Please also see 6 Days At Ding Darling's Wildlife Drive: Part IV

6 comments:

  1. Wonderful capture of all the action, Bob! Wishing you a great new year of birding adventures in 2016!

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    1. Thank you, Hemant. I hope to find many more action photos from additional late 2015 trips along Wildlife Drive in the days ahead. Without doubt I anticipate good times in 2016.

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  2. Great series! Some landing are spectaculair!
    Very nice and the Alligator.......wow stunning!
    greeting and happy 2016!
    Maria

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary. After many consecutive visits to Wildlife Drive without spotting an alligator, it appears they have been "imported" as they're now prolific.

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  3. Amazing photos! You are very patient to get these terrific shots.

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    Replies
    1. Much thanks for your comment, Jacquelin. While there are times that patience is required, the ensuing action is very often extremely exhilarating to experience.

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