Reddish Egret

We first observed the reddish egret in California where it is rare. The reason we are posting so many pictures is because we have become quite the fans of this entertaining bird. Unlike the careful, calculated stalking technique of the other herons and egrets, the reddish egret will run, hop, spread its wings and basically look very silly while it's fishing. We also love the crazy wiry hairstyle (known to more serious birders as plumage.)

We really like the reddish egret

 

 

 

 

 

Here, he's demonstrating his fishing technique.

Tricolored heron

 

Snowy Egret

Warbler

We think this is a warbler.

Red Bellied Woodpecker at a Palm Tree

 

The Red Bellied Woodpecker is still one of our favorites no matter what state we are in. We like palm trees too.

Mottled Duck at Ding Darling

 

Shorebirds on Sanibel Island

Sanderling

Plover?

Ruddy Turnstone

Willet

Brown Pelicans

The brown pelicans rest in the trees along the beaches in Sanibel. They look like they are much too heavy to be supported by the small limbs

Pied-billed Grebes at Sanibel

 

 

Pied-billed Grebes are the smallest and cutest of the seabirds

Sanibel Gulls and Terns

Royal Tern

We usually are not a big fan of the sea gull. However, walking down the beach, we encountered a funny looking sea gull with a longer bill and a funny crown of black hair. A passerby identified it as a royal tern. They were still around we when came back later with the camera so we got a few pictures. Here are some pictures of other gulls too.

A quick trip to Sanibel Island

We made a long weekend trip to Sanibel Island on the gulf coast of Florida, just outside of Ft. Myers. Sanibel is known for sea shells. It also has J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, a great spot for birding. The lower photo shows a united nation of birds: An adult and a juvenile Roseate Spoonbill, a tricolored heron, a snowy egret, and some ibises.

Cardinal on Sanibel Island

Some sunshine makes us feel better and the cardinals photograph better. Isn't he stunning?

Osprey With Fish

Fishing is also popular on Sanibel Island.

White Ibis catching a crab

 

 

Here's a white ibis having a crab dinner at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in Ft. Myers Beach. It's a hard spot to find, and quite unusual with a lagoon and trees between high rise condos and the beach.

Juvenile White Ibis

Chris spotted an unusual bird at Ding Darling. When we got closer, we noticed it had a bill like an ibis. Later, we found out that the juvenile white ibis has brown markings.

Little Blue Heron

Peregrine Falcon

The guidebook said the lighthouse area was a good place to see peregrine falcons. Here's a picture of one on the lighthouse.

Red-shouldered Hawks

Wildlife at Sanibel

Sanibel has more than just birds. We had the pleasure of encountering a crocodile (less common than the alligators), a bobcat, and several raccoons.