13th Annual Sanibel Lighthouse Hawk Watch

The Sanibel Lighthouse Hawk Watch with Vince McGrath has been an anticipated event for a number of years prior to leaving the state of Florida for what you might not believe a move of mine to the great white north.

The Osprey above (image 1) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

As crazy as it may sound I have become acclimated to observing birds again in a northern clime where I would have to travel many miles in Florida to see these species, if at all.

The Northern Rough-winged Swallow above (image 2) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The American Kestrel above (image 3) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

Vince's Hawk Watch was a few days later this year than last with weather conditions that appeared favorable for observations. The wind was from the northeast as I recall with it ideally from the northwest to funnel the raptors over Sanibel.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk above (image 4) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk above (image 5) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

A Merlin was an early raptor seen during the 16 Oct 2016 Hawk Watch. It was much too quick for me to photograph as it flew from the west and over San Carlos Bay. Swallows were present as well throughout the morning, but did not appear to outnumber those seen last year.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker above (image 6) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The American Kestrel above (image 7) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

While the 2016 Hawk Watch was in conflict with the Ding Darling Nation Wildlife Refuge's annual Ding Darling Days, there was still good participation at the hawk event where I met with friends and acquaintances for hopefully not the last time.

The American Kestrel above (image 8) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The dog above (image 9) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

A highlight for most at the Lighthouse was the observation of an immature Red-headed Woodpecker. Vince noted this species' presence on nearby Cape Coral with it a very rare sighting on Sanibel.

The Peregrine Falcon above (image 10) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The Peregrine Falcon above (image 11) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The appearance of a Sharp-shinned Hawk, with the male of the species typically the smallest hawk seen in the United States, was the highlight for me while observing and photographing the species for the first time.

The Cliff Swallow above (image 12) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

The Chimney Swift above (image 13) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

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

The Gopher Tortoise above (image 14) was photographed at the Sanibel Island Lighthouse in October 2016.

Quiet Morning At Church Road

A sunrise visit to Church Road in Hendry County was made on 2 October to find usual suspects.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The hope of finding early in the season Western Kingbirds and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers was not fulfilled. This magnified my attention on the high numbers of Blue Jays that were present.

The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Blue Jay above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Black Vulture above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Black Vulture above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The dragonfly above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The habitat is very favorable for Crested Caracara which were in good numbers and usually seen in pairs while perched. I did not observe any caracara on the ground which I considered unusual. A Belted Kingfisher was a great tease not allowing an acceptable photograph.

The Blue Jay above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Rock Dove above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The 1st winter Common Yellowthroat above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The White Peacock butterfly above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Florida Softshell Turtle above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

The Wild Turkey above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

Highlights of the trip included a flock of 35 Glossy Ibis and 13 Wild Turkey.

The Zebra Longwing butterfly above was photographed at Church Road in October 2014.

Feature: Domestic Avenue Ponds Part II

The Domestic Avenue Ponds have thus far offered many hours of rewarding wildlife observation with a diverse variety of birds seen in three different habitat types.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

While the land and water surrounding Domestic Avenue is available for sale as undeveloped parcels which will likely become commercial/ industrial in its use, the habitat is currently a magnet for a great diversity of wildlife that crowds into a relatively small area. On one particular morning waiting for the light to improve I picked up over a hundred rusty nails and screws in the cul-de-sac. Be forewarned of this hazard if you make a visit to this venue. Upon parking look to the west over the ponds for the waterfowl. To the east is the prairie habitat with predators often seen flying overhead looking for their next meal.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The unidentified Florida cooter above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup with alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

At the north end of the road is a woodland habitat with decent sized Cypress tree growth among Southern Longleaf pines which attracts songbirds and often seen Bald Eagles perched at sunrise. Certainly the most interesting observations made have been a cat and mouse behavior between the ducks and a resident alligator. The birds were on occasion seemingly aggressive or teasing in their approach to the gator when either in larger numbers or by what appeared to be an experienced and especially bold individual.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The waterfowl with alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Kestrel above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator seemed quite routine in its lying in wait for sustenance while on on occasion observed to leap out of the water as a few birds flew a few feet above it. The alligator is very mobile in the northernmost pond which it seems to favor. It often will disappear for extended periods and reappear several hundred feet from where it had been having stealthily swam underwater to avoid the bird's detection. When visiting this mecca for wildlife observation be at the ready for action which can occur at any time, and don't forget to look skyward for overflights.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Lesser Scaup above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Redhead above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Ring-necked Duck with American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The alligator above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The American Coot above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

The Downy Woodpecker above was photographed at Domestic Avenue Ponds in December 2012.

Please see Domestic Avenue Ponds: Part I.
Please see Domestic Avenue Ponds: Part III.