Recent days, weeks, and months have offered great birding possibilities at Bunche Beach Preserve in South Fort Myers.
The Reddish Egret with prey above (image 1) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
An early April visit to Bunche followed my January visit when an American Flamingo was personally observed. The flamingo had put on a tremendous show for many weeks and was seen at Bunche Beach as recently as three weeks ago according to
an eBird report.
The Willet above (image 2) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black-bellied Plover above (image 3) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black Skimmer above (image 4) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black Skimmer above (image 5) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Royal Tern above (image 6) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black Skimmer above (image 7) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Royal Tern above (image 8) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Royal Tern above (image 9) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The 1st Winter Herring Gull above (image 10) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
Other specialties including Whimbrel and Long-billed Curlew have been observed at the preserve this past week by other birders. On the morning of my visit I missed seeing them although I primarily made my observations at the west end of the beach.
The Osprey with Cravelle Jack above (image 11) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Osprey with Cravelle Jack above (image 12) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Laughing Gull above (image 13) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 14) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Brown Pelican above (image 15) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 16) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 17) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Osprey above (image 18) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Osprey above (image 19) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
There was no shortage of regulars that should be expected at this time of year. The morning was pleasant with a cloudless sky and a comfortable breeze from the north. As is normal the birds took flight into the wind which was not ideal for photography considering the position of the sun.
The Royal Tern above (image 20) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black Skimmer above (image 21) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black Skimmer above (image 22) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Sandwich Tern above (image 23) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The banded Royal Tern above (image 24) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Black Skimmer with Royal Tern and Laughing Gull above (image 25) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Laughing Gull above (image 26) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Laughing Gull above (image 27) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Osprey above (image 28) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
As the morning progressed the large flock of loafing skimmers, terns and gulls took off inexplicably as they are want to do. It was interesting that an overflight of a Little Blue Heron startled the flock although the birds did not take flight.
The Osprey with Mullet above (image 29) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Osprey with Mullet above (image 30) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Osprey with Mullet above (image 31) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The scene above (image 32) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Willet above (image 33) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Great Blue Heron above (image 34) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Great Blue Heron above (image 35) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Great Blue Heron above (image 36) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 37) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Ospreys were successful in their capture of prey. I was particularly intrigued with a Cravelle Jack that had another fish dangling out of its mouth while in the talons of an Osprey as can be seen in image #12.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 38) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Reddish Egret above (image 39) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Reddish Egret above (image 40) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The juvenile Reddish Egret above (image 41) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The juvenile Reddish Egret above (image 42) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The banded Reddish Egret above (image 43) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The banded Reddish Egret above (image 44) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 45) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Spotted Sandpiper above (image 46) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
Toward the end of my visit to Bunch Beach Preserve this day a banded Reddish Egret with antenna was observed in pursuit of a juvenile of its own species. This action followed a very impressive sight of a flock of Short-billed Dowitcher that numbered well in excess of 200 individuals.
The banded Reddish Egret above (image 47) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 48) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
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The Marbled Godwit above (image 49) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016.
# 11 is a great picture of the Osprey with the catch of the day!
ReplyDelete# 27 is a striking pose of the Laughing Gull with his wings stretched so tall!
I had to laugh at # 27, the Great Blue Heron looks like he got a bath while fishing!
Thanks for wonderful photos, Bob!
Adele
Thank you, Adele. I wish I could make daily trips to Bunche Beach Preserve and get nothing else done.
DeleteHeartening to see all the birdlife at this popular hotspot so beautifully captured, Bob!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hemant. I hope the Surf Scoter hangs around for a couple more days at Little Estero Lagoon. It will be a life bird for me. Nesting activity should be quite active there by now as well. Five hours this weekend at minimum will be devoted to what will certainly be an enjoyable show.
Delete