The Pillars At Little Estero Lagoon: Pt III

There was an image overload from my last visit to the beach that resulted in this three part article highlighting the "pillars" at Little Estero Lagoon.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 1) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The conclusion of this chapter has me reflect on the full enjoyment experienced that morning. It wasn't too many days later that I heard a report on the radio of recent shark sightings that were unusually close to shore.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 2) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 3) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 4) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Osprey above (image 5) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Brown Pelican above (image 6) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Brown Pelican above (image 7) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The scene above (image 8) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Osprey above (image 9) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Osprey with prey above (image 10) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 11) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The presence of the sharks was attributed to chumming by fishermen. It was recommended that the anglers not do that. I would agree as I like to go in the water and not have a concern about anything more aggressive than a dolphin (which itself alarms me enough on occasion).

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 12) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 13) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 14) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 15) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 16) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 17) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 18) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 19) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The scene above (image 20) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Willet above (image 21) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Willet above (image 22) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

There was a point when I was compelled to do the unorthodox in producing image #19. That was to use the maximum exposure bias of the camera to capture an image which resulted in it producing a result similar to what's seen here. The effect works much better with the white bird.

Suzanne Lanthier above (image 23) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 24) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 25) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 26) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 27) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 28) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 29) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 30) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 31) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 32) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 33) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

With luck it will be rewarding to get back to Little Estero Lagoon this or any summer.

The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 34) was photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

Réal Jauvin, Suzanne Lanthier, and Frank Constantin above (image 35) were photographed at Little Estero Lagoon in March 2015.

Please also see The Pillars at Little Estero Lagoon: Pt. I
Please also see The Pillars at Little Estero Lagoon: Pt. II

Bunche Beach Rewards ... Again: Part I

My wildlife buds Tom Obrock and Hemant Kishan have had success in finding Whimbrel in preceding weeks at Little Estero Lagoon.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

While I thought I might travel down to that great wildlife venue for the opportunity to see Whimbrel, I was compelled to re-visit Bunche Beach Preserve which remains my favorite venue.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The late afternoon trip to the beach offered a change in the weather with the wind from the north. This allowed a disruption in the thunderstorms that have otherwise been observed at any time of day this past summer. Weatherspark can be a resource to see when a storm has taken place with a related drop in temperature in the Fort Myers area.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

A Lehigh Acres resident's life was ended last month with his failure to take shelter from a lightning storm at Fort Myers Beach. Tom has reminded me of these conditions and eventualities a few times in the past. Good advice is that if you can hear thunder be sure to take shelter.

The American Oystercatcher above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

More than five weeks had passed since my last visit to Bunche while missing the nesting activity this season at Little Estero and Tigertail Beach Lagoon, the latter two known well for such favorable conditions.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

Wilson's Plover nest at Bunche Beach, but are far and well protected from the parking areas during their nesting season. I don't think I included the image captured of Loggerhead Turtle observed on my last visit to Bunche due to its poor quality. There is too much foot traffic with a shallow shoreline at times for viable turtle nesting conditions, not to mention a low dune.

The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Sandwich Tern above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

After settling down I was torn between observing an American Oystercatcher that is not always observed at Bunche that went into a feeding mode after watching it for a short while, and a flock of Roseate Spoonbill that are not always so accommodating either.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The wildlife photographer above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

As is typical, the birds at Bunche appeared almost completely unaware of my presence and approached closely. A fellow wildlife photographer expressed the complete joy of the experience before us.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

I ultimately chose to stay with the spoonbills as they would not require me to move from my stationary position. This flock of birds primarily consisted of immature birds which were occasionally giving me the eye with a skittish hurried nature.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The number of birds observed at the favorably low tide was impressively large with a good representation of all the birds species that should be expected. I kept a keen lookout for American Avocet which is a possibility at Bunche as well.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Laughing Gull above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The chorus of calls from the juvenile Royal Terns was almost hypnotic as I waited for additional wildlife to arrive on the scene.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.

The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in August 2014.