Farewell Harns Marsh Preserve And SW Florida

My likely last visit to Harns Marsh Preserve in Lehigh Acres, Florida, occurred in late October when I met up with Canadian wildlife photographer Frank Constantin.

The primarily Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The weather was favorable with the grass well groomed and 39 species of bird observed in the ensuing two hours after sunrise during our stay. A good number of Purple Gallinule were present among a Gray-headed Swamphen continuing this day with a snipe an unexpected bonus.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The immature Black-crowned Night-Heron above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

After a number of failed observations of Snail Kite at Harns, a male and female were observed in and over the marsh. A possible third individual of the species was seen perched while closely reviewing an image of a flock of grackles in flight.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Gray-headed Swamphen above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The time at this extraordinary wildlife venue in southwest Florida passed much too quickly with a regrettable need to ready my departure from paradise. It was, however, especially good to see some of the venue's signature species.

The American Coot above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 18) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Snowy Egret above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Little Blue Heron above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Great Blue Heron above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Limpkin above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

Though under the weather at the moment, stay tuned for new adventures in Connecticut along the northern shores of Long Island Sound and beyond.

The Anhinga with prey above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Wilson's Snipe above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

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The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 28) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.