Although there was a very welcome breeze at dawn on the morning of 11 August, I was not prepared to walk miles from Carlos Pointe at Big Carlos Pass along Little Estero Lagoon with the temperature already at 78 degrees.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 1) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The primary purpose of my visit to the freshwater pool at Carlos Pointe was to investigate whether a Whimbrel reported for nearly a week was still present at the expansive venue. The Whimbrel arrival nearly coincided with a stalled weather system over the Gulf of Mexico that created overcast conditions and a lot of rain in Florida this past week.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 2) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Reddish Egret above (image 3) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Laughing Gull above (image 4) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Laughing Gull above (image 5) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 6) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
My approach to the pool offered a view of what appeared a decent number of shorebirds. A Roseate Spoonbill stood out like a sore thumb. Ospreys were prolific and actively calling from their roosts at the top of the adjacent high-rise condo buildings.
The Black Skimmer above (image 7) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Ruddy Turnstone above (image 8) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Ruddy Turnstone above (image 9) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Ruddy Turnstone above (image 10) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 11) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
Upon arrival at my observation point I attempted to take representative shots of the spoonie and Reddish Egret. The posture of the spoonbill didn't seem right to me, so I gave it no attention until it became mobile. The Reddish Egret was unusually placid as well, so its representative image will have to due with it in no mood to dance.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 12) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Snowy Egret above (image 13) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Black-bellied Plover above (image 14) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Western Sandpiper above (image 15) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 16) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
There were a good number of very active Marbled Godwit on hand. A preferred view of Red Knots in transitional plumage was challenging with it requiring me to disturb the loafing Whimbrel to get decent shots of them. No dice.
The Semipalmated Plover above (image 17) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Least Sandpiper above (image 18) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The juvenile Least Tern above (image 19) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The juvenile Least Tern above (image 20) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Black-bellied Plover above (image 21) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The lingering Whimbrel remained primarily in sleep mode among a few godwits and a Willet with periodic preening observed. The behavior of the birds was exhilarating to watch with a dominant Marbled Godwit and Ruddy Turnstone seemingly making names for themselves.
The Willet above (image 22) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Ruddy Turnstone above (image 23) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 24) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Marbled Godwit with Red Knot above (image 25) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Laughing Gull above (image 26) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
An unfortunate event would unfold before I had the opportunity to satisfy my interest in learning more about the behavior of the Whimbrel.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 27) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 28) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above (image 29) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
The Marbled Godwit above (image 30) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
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The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 31) was photographed at Carlos Pointe in August 2016.
Please also see
Whimbrel At Carlos Pointe: Part II
Ospreys are such beautiful, graceful birds to watch. My friend has a waterfront home and once had an osprey built her nest there - such a miracle.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed, Ansley. I find the call of the Osprey particularly appealing. Images of a couple of Osprey with their prey observed during this visit to Carlos Pointe will be presented in Part II of the series. Before leaving the venue, I was keen to scan the northern fringe of Lovers Key State Park for any sign of its Bald Eagles. They may not have arrived yet.
DeleteCarlos Point is one of my favorite hotspots Bob as these highlights attest! I have found Whimbrel at this location to be reliable in August.
ReplyDeleteI vividly recall reading of your reports from this venue, Hemant. In my research for this post I learned that the longest known age of a Whimbrel is 14 years. I wonder if the bird I saw was one you have observed in the past.
DeleteLovely series of stunning images. It shows that you enjoy the wildlive!
ReplyDeletegreetings,
Maria
Thank you, Maria. I'm certainly fascinated with the creatures that can fly.
Delete