Florida Birding 2000

Wednesday, May 3rd
Headed back to Sanibel Island this morning to look for some of the migrants that Dotty mentioned. I didn't see ANY - not a single warbler - but I had a fantastic morning there. I had decided this Florida trip was a picture taking trip, not a birding trip. This area provided me fantastic opportunities. It was perfect beach weather. Cloudy, cool, and windy (at least that is my type of perfect beach weather).

As I walked amongst the trees by the lighthouse, I heard only one sound. Red-bellied Woodpeckers were seemingly everywhere. Well, maybe there were two or three sounds as Common and Boat-tailed Grackles were also abundant. Not finding much action in the woods, I decided to head for the beach. Almost immediately saw many Brown Pelicans flying overhead. Then I came upon an Osprey in a snag. It was an immature but full size. I was able to get quite close to it and took a few pictures. The adult was nearby and would call to it. Click for more Osprey pictures.

Down on the beach, I observed many shorebirds. Plenty of Sanderlings and Black-bellied Plovers. The latter let me approach closely. Lots of Ruddy Turnstones also. A few Willets, too. A couple of the sandpipers had me puzzled. They had rufous backs and necks. They were too large to be peeps. Their posture and behavior reminded me of Sanderlings. Then I realized that they were probably in breeding plumage; in all my years of birding I had never (knowingly) seen Sanderlings in breeding plumage. I checked their feet and the absence of a hind toe clinched the identification. Quite a difference from their basic plumage.

I looked out over the green waters to watch the pelicans fly by; some of them were diving. Several terns crossed in front of me - Royals, Sandwich, and Forster's. I looked high in the sky to see two very appropriately named Magnificent Frigatebirds sailing effortlessly by. Extraordinary creatures. I saw several more later on.

I went back to the woods and was able to locate a Northern Cardinal. Put some more money in the parking machine and went back to the beach. Came across a snag that was at the water's edge. There were two immature Ospreys on its branches. Again, superb photo opportunity as they let me get close. Nothing that people did seemed to disturb them. A nearby adult, however, called to them periodically and they would get excited and ruffle their feathers and spread their wings.

Went to the fishing pier in time to get a glimpse of at least six dolphins. Too far away and too short a time to get pictures, but a very rewarding sighting. A Great Egret perched on the top of the fishing pier.

I also got to watch some pelicans up close from the pier. They were hanging around waiting for a handout as the fishermen threw the fish that were too small into the water.

Florida 2000