Feature: Florida Burrowing Owl

On the eve of the 8th annual Burrowing Owl Festival in Cape Coral, Florida, I made my fifth attempt to observe and document the sub-species of Burrowing Owl that is thought to have in excess of 2500 nests in the city.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

I can't imagine a more fortuitous time to finally see the species and spend more than two hours observing its nest and what I would describe as an early riser (in the late afternoon).

All previous visits to Cape Coral with the hope to see the Burrowing Owl were met with failure.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

I had earlier considered stopping by Brian Piccolo Park, in Cooper City, Florida, while traveling through the Great Florida Birding Trail's Night-Heron Cluster to otherwise see the park's reliable nests and sightings of the owls.

Tim Rucci's sighting of the Burrowing Owl at Piccolo Park can be
seen here.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

Time constraints led to my postponing my attempted sighting of the owls on Florida's east coast with greater hopes of seeing the species closer to home on Cape Coral within the official nesting season which occurs 15 February through 10 July.

This species I would highly recommend you seek out when you have the chance as they are so photogenic or are simply fun to watch.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

The Burrowing Owl is very prevalent in Imperial Valley which is home to about 70 percent of California’s Burrowing Owl population.

When I encountered the owl that I considered much more diminutive than I had expected, I made an immediate planting of my presence to it.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

More than 90 minutes had passed before the mate of the bird I was observing emerged from the nest.

The bird first observed I consider to be the male based on my research of it for a couple of reasons.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

It is thought that the male spends more of its time outside of the nest and thus has a more "bleached" color to its feathers compared to the female otherwise very similar in appearance.

The female is slightly larger in size and therefore best distinguished when observing the mates together.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

I am quite sure that my first Burrowing Owl observed was the male as it was certainly smaller than the other that finally made its way out of the nest at sunset.

The action around the setting of the sun became a lot more exciting.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

Both feeding and copulation behavior were observed.

Although the nest observed is on a relatively lightly traveled side street adjacent to the library, the birds seemed to be alert to on occasional car passing or the bark of a dog.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

What I found even more interesting was that the birds seem to have extraordinary eyesight in their alertness to see what was flying overhead.

I was not able to react to the birds as quickly as I would have liked to capture some of the more entertaining postures of the creatures.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

As the light diminished and then seemed to disappear, the birds became the most active, and I'm quite sure I observed the birds mating if only so briefly for a few seconds.

It was near darkness when this activity occurred, so I was relying more on the camera to see than myself.

The Moon above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

The shutter speeds were not very reliable for a focused shot in the end.

My preparation for this event included the reading of world renowned photographer Artie Morris's The Art of Bird Photography, where I was able to set the camera lens to its best performance capability.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed at the Cape Coral Library in February 2010.

I knew I would have to leave the nest site at some time, but stayed until the lens would no longer focus on the action.

That was really late again, nearly 30 minutes after sunset, when I attempted to capture my last shots to present to you.

Feature: Wakodahatchee Wetlands

A three-quarter mile long boardwalk with rain shelters meanders through different man-made habitat types at a facility known as Wakodahatchee Wetlands which is designed to naturally filter highly treated wastewater in southern Delray Beach, Florida.

The scene above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2010.

A very large alligator was observed in my February 2010 visit which is a testament to the successful feeding it has on the birds and mammals that have been attracted to Wakodahatchee.

The gator was interesting to watch in its apparent stealth to take down a Green Heron while the bird was brazen on a patch of land it seemed very comfortable on.

The alligator above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2010.

A juvenile alligator was observed during my February 2009 visit.

The five different habitats created on former agricultural land adjacent to the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility has resulted in excess of 150 bird species seen thus far by wildlife enthusiasts.

The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2009.

The majority of the birds are migratory species that should not be expected to be seen year round or even at certain times.

Such an example is the Black-bellied Whistling Duck which I had the great fortune to see in my 2010 winter visit to Wakodahatchee which was not seen in 2009.

The Black-bellied Whistling Duck above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2010.

The 2010 sighting more than made up for it as the dozen or so ducks in the group that inexplicably took flight and strafed me for a memorable experience.

Between the two visits, there was a give and take with species seen.

The Double-crested Cormorant and juveniles above were photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2010.

The very attractive Hooded Merganser was pleasantly seen in the same spot I had observed the species on both visits.

The male disappointingly did not show off his crest on my most recent visit.

The Hooded Merganser above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2009.

The Wood Stork, a bird species of special concern, was observed at Wakodahatchee in 2010 with about a dozen solitary individuals seen along Alligator Alley on the way back home to Florida's west coast.

Courtship behavior of the Great Blue Heron was not observed in 2010 as it had been in 2009.

The Wood Stork above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2010.

There were a number of nests observed that had Anhinga and Double-crested Cormorant juveniles begging for food from their parents on both visits.

This venue is very popular with visitors that are quite disruptive for wildlife photography when using a tripod as the boardwalk shudders with almost every step even from a great distance.

The wildlife enthusiast above was photographed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in February 2010.

A similar must see venue within the Whistling-Duck and Wetlands Cluster of the Great Florida Birding Trail on a much larger scale is Green Cay Wetlands a short drive to the west.

Ding Darling NWR and Artie Morris in 2010

In the summer of 2009, I read in premier wildlife photographer Artie Morris' Bulletins and Notes Archive that he would not be visiting Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (DDNWR) for the first time in 11 years during his President's Week Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) of southwest Florida.

The master wildlife photographer, Artie Morris, above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

The reason for this Artie described as a decline in the wildlife photo opportunities observed over the past decade at the refuge.

In the most recent musings in his blog, Artie mentions getting himself and his gear crapped on by some birds observed. He is really serious in his work to do that for sure.

The Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT) crew above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

I have made several trips to DDNWR in the last couple of years and had always been impressed by the diversity of wildlife seen at different times of the day and tidal situations.

Mr. Morris told me that his 11 February 2010 visit to the Ding Darling Refuge was unplanned while the weather here in Florida was too cold to take his clientele into the water at another planned venue at the time of his IPT.

The Great Egret above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

The unusually cold weather here in Florida this winter has been persistent to say the least. My last few beach trips have had me head to the car after my wildlife observations shivering uncontrollably.

There was relative seclusion from the northerly winds on the day of Artie's visit as the refuge is more of a see it from the road (Wildlife Drive) experience.

The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

Upon my arrival to the refuge, the IPT had already made a complete trip through the drive and had established itself at a great photographic location just beyond the entrance gate on its second trip through.

Co-leader of the IPT, Fabiola Forns, had told me that there was little opportunity upon the first trek through the sanctuary.

The White Ibis above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

When I had the opportunity to take my first photographs of Mr. Morris and others with him, I was surprised by the stance of the photographers. Comfortably on two feet they were, but certainly having taken a risk with their photo gear to get closer to the water's edge.

I would have been in the mud to document the Snowy Egret periodically dancing over the water in its search of food with numerous photo opportunities at hand.

The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

This was an extraordinary experience I have observed at this place before. The situation should only be expected again in early morning light with a very low tide.

At one point, I recall Artie hollering the correct exposure to be using under the circumstances. I was way off. I was significantly overexposing my images of the birds.

The Wood Stork above was photographed at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in February 2010.

It was my great pleasure to meet the down to earth co-leaders as well of the 2010 SWF IPT, Fabs and Arthur Forns. They were unpretentious and more than willing to share their expertise and have me meet everyone present affiliated with Bird Photographers Network.

There was a new word with seemingly great meaning added to the BPN lexicon while in the company of these fun people. Artie had called that a "wiggle" was needed. After clarification, the word summoned his group together for a trip down the road with a stop for lunch . . . I think.

Feature: Tigertail Beach Lagoon

Marco Island's Tigertail Beach Lagoon is located within Tigertail Beach Park at the northwestern edge of Florida's 10,000 Islands on the Gulf of Mexico.

The Tigertail Beach Park map above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Park in February 2010.

This popular destination for locals and tourists alike offers a sun and fun environment for shelling, sunbathing, surf fishing, and wildlife photography.

Tigertail Beach Park is also host to areas of critical habitat essential to migrating birds that may simply rest briefly or nest and produce offspring which draws wildlife and photography enthusiasts.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

Beach re-nourishment has provided the resource for Sand Dollar Island, a former sandbar, to now be connected to the mainland at the island's former southern tip.

As sea water has now become relatively stagnant in the lagoon while it ebbs and flows with tidal action, it has been complained about at least by one local resident for its foul smell.

The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

Such a sensation was not experienced in my May and June 2009 and February 2010 trips to Tigertail Beach Lagoon.

The lagoon is also complained about by some visitors who expect to make a quick beeline to the beach from the parking area.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

Quite a long walk to the south is currently required to access the Gulf of Mexico without having to walk through the shallow muddy and potentially slippery lagoon or via concession watercraft.

Requests have been made for construction of a boardwalk across the lagoon to allow easy direct access to the beach, but boardwalk detractors note a significant disturbance it might cause to the wildlife.

The Little Blue Heron juvenile above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its South Florida Birding Trail guide note that Tigertail Beach is one of the best all-around birding venues in southwest Florida.

My experiences at the Tigertail Beach Lagoon have been very rewarding in observation of migrating birds and indigenous wading birds alike.

The Snowy Egret with Greater Yellowlegs above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

Although the Great Florida Birding Trail guide notes Tigertail Beach to be best visited from September through March, my summer visits to the venue were highlighted by the Least Terns and Black Skimmers nesting at the northern tip of Sand Dollar Island.

It was my great fortune in June 2009 to see the first Osprey juvenile (clearly identified by its orange eyes that turn black as it matures) produced from a nesting platform installed at the park more than a decade earlier.

The Wilson's Plover above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in May 2009.

My February 2010 trip to the lagoon was highlighted by the sighting of four Red-breasted Merganser which I have only observed on one other occasion at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to the north on 16 February 2009.

The merganser's behavior was very interesting in their mobility as they were never still for a moment while they were constantly in search of food.

The Osprey juvenile above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in June 2009.

Snowy Egret were diligent in their pace to stay in the immediate area of the mergansers evidently taking advantage of the diving duck's ability to readily locate schools of fish.

A fellow visitor to Tigertail Beach commented to me the aggressive nature in the growth of the Black Mangrove that has greatly obscured the view of the lagoon north of Tigertail Beach Park's parking area.

The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

Regrettably, the sky remained overcast which compelled me to intentionally overexpose the images taken on my most recent visit to Tigertail Beach Lagoon.

I'm occasionally reminded of an image of a dead booby taken at Tigertail Beach in the summer of 2009 sent to me by a fellow wildlife enthusiast, but we were unable to determine the precise species (possibly Red-footed).

The Marbled Godwit above was photographed at Tigertail Beach Lagoon in February 2010.

The legs or feet were under the body of the bird and it wasn't turned over. I suspect the bird may have washed onto the beach from Dry Tortugas National Park where the boobies are prolific in early summer.

Tigertail Beach Lagoon is a venue I strongly encourage you to visit any time of year while similar venues San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in Fort Myers and Little Estero Lagoon immediately south of Fort Myers Beach are my preferred favorites for their greater quantity of birds seen or the intimacy of the wildlife you're sure to experience.

The fishermen above were photographed at Tigertail Beach Park in May 2009.

Species observed on my most recent visit to Tigertail Beach Lagoon is highlighted by clicking here.

Bunche Beach Preserve III

Well, I was compelled to get an exact number of times I've visited this premier birding venue known as Bunche Beach Preserve.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

I had to revisit a number of computer photo files that I had merely classified by date to be able to say that I made my 28th to the preserve 27 JAN 2010.

This most recent was an afternoon visit, so I made a glance to the West from the parking area to confirm anything unusual and saw that the lion's share of the birds were congregated about a half mile to the East.

The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

It was an easy decision to head toward the East channel that allows waters of San Carlos Bay that in part enter and leave the estuary. I never made it that far.

The sun at this time of year in the winter months is still relatively low on the horizon which allows for favorable light for photography at any time of day here with good weather.

The Long-billed Curlew above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

I personally prefer to visit the preserve at low tide. Fellow blogger, Tom Obrock, whom I've yet to meet has noted in his blog that he prefers to visit the preserve at high tide.

This week's visit was near a high tide which allowed for the observation of many species of bird in a much more concentrated area as Tom notes as a benefit.

The Long-billed Curlew above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

There were 15 species observed with the addition of a special one that I had not seen in over a year since at Little Estero Lagoon about a mile to the South.

It was quite extraordinary to see the Long-billed Curlew fly in to the area with plumage that was unique from the other birds seen.

The Long-billed Curlew above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

The curlew seemed out of place to me as there was not another of its kind in the group of birds that possibly numbered 150 or more in three primary groups. This was a lower than normal sighting of birds overall as there were relatively few Black Skimmers.

While I attempted to continue to keep sight of the entire scene, the curlew was of course the highlight of the trip.

The Long-billed Curlew above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

The bird was mobile and rarely still. I was able to capture some interesting feeding behavior as a Willet undoubtedly caused some stress to the curlew while harassing it.

The Willet seemed unusually aggressive. I'm not sure if it was merely after some scraps or possibly was capable of taking the food from the curlew. Further observation will hopefully offer a better understanding.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

As the curlew made its way through the concentration of birds, it was at odds with gulls that apparently staked their claim to small pieces of real estate on a couple of occasions.

The sun went down without a cloud in the sky. It allowed me to be temporarily blinded in attempt to get a sunset shot.

The sunset above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in January 2010.

The construction of facilities continues to proceed slowly. Roof trusses are finally on the building in the new parking area.

Bunche Beach Preserve was as exciting on this last visit as the first.

Feature: Venice Rookery

Within the wildlife and birding mecca of Southwest Florida is an unassuming island that could unquestionably be described as an oasis.

The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

This place is located at Audubon Venice Area Rookery in the metropolitan area of Venice, Florida.

I arrived at the rookery for the first time about 45 minutes before sunrise about mid January 2010. This was fortuitous as I was able to observe what most visitors to the rookery perhaps do not.

The Great Egret above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

In the near pitch darkness it was evident from the parking area immediately adjacent to the rookery that there was life on the island. The contrast of the pure white feathers of the Great Egret in particular resting in the foliage was striking and memorable.

Many dozens of these birds as well as several other species took flight to the East well before the sun's rays would cast their glow on the diminutive island.

The Great Egret above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

The birds that remained included a relatively small handful of Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, and Anhinga that seemingly had staked their claim to nests on the island.

As time passed and a dozen or so fellow avian enthusiasts would come and go, I was able to observe some interesting wildlife behavior and see a couple of species of bird that I had not photographed in Florida before.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

A list of 17 bird species seen on my visit to the rookery is highlighted by clicking here. The seemingly omnipresent Laughing Gull was mistakenly omitted in my list.

Of the two bird species not observed before in my effort to document the near 500 that either live in or migrate through Florida were the American Robin (not photographed) and the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck.

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck flew in a group of up to 14 over the rookery on four occasions. It was a great test of my ability to document them with photographs. I knew that special compensation had to be made in the camera's settings to avoid underexposure of the images.

While all of this was going on, I was extremely fortunate to observe a pair of Great Blue Heron mating. The male was able to accomplish this after his third arrival to his mate with nest building material.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

Other interesting behavior was observed in a male Anhinga that was diligently breaking the berry laden branches of his perch and offering them to his mate who was somewhat hidden from my view.

The brilliant green lore of the male Great Egret was a welcome sign of the exciting months ahead. Virtually every male bird within its species will make a noticeable change in its appearance to entice its potential mate.

The Anhinga above was photographed at Venice Area Audubon Rookery in January 2010.

The rookery is a must see venue if you are anywhere in the area or otherwise. While the wildlife is tantalizingly close, it's been well noted that longer lenses of 400mm to 600mm or more are helpful for photography as close as you may seem to the action. Don't forget your binoculars.

Find directions to the rookery by clicking here.