Upon returning to Florida this past week we were greeted by Alberto, a sub-tropical storm, which produced several days of heavy rain and wind. Unable to venture out into the local wetlands, my only photo opportunities have been in my back yard. Although I miss our morning walks, I do enjoy the quiet respite.
Egyptian Geese under overcast sky:
A Tricolored Heron hurries along the shoreline:
Our Illinois family visited us the first week of April, and we spent several nights at Sanibel Island on the southern Gulf coast. We have been so busy with travel that I just got around to reviewing the photos from that trip. Instead of the usual DSLR, I carried my new compact Olympic MSC ED-M Mk2 mirrorless camera. Having not mastered all its settings, my results were uneven, particularly in low light, so do not blame it on the camera.
We stopped at Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp on the way. Near the boardwalk, a Roseate Spoonbill posed nicely as it preened:
Nearby, a Great Egret cast a nice reflection:
I liked the way the light played upon the foliage and water at Corkscrew Swamp, a nice background for this Double-crested Cormorant:
One of the numerous White-eyed Vireos along the boardwalk:
At Sanibel, views of the Gulf of Mexico from our condo's screened porch:
Long-legged waders stole the show. Next to the fishing pier, Snowy Egrets seemed so expressive as they foraged along the beach:
A Reddish Egret's beauty was enhanced in the low light:
We drove several times along the wildlife loop at Ding Darling National Wildlife Preserve. At a small pond in the Bailey's Woods area, a Black-necked Stilt scratched an itch:
Blue-winged Teal:
Marsh Rabbit:
Little Blue Heron:
An iPhone panorama of the Coral Creek estuary from the trail:
A Reddish Egret dances on a mudflat:
Two Reddish Egrets interacting:
Osprey chick in a nest along the road:
Brown Anole displaying:
At Lighthouse Point, two lovey Eurasian Collard-Doves:
Sanibel Lighthouse:
Sanibel beach exactly at sunrise:
A Willet was cooperative as the light increased:
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Linking to Misty's CAMERA CRITTERS,
Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,
Linking to SKYWATCH FRIDAY by Yogi, Sylvia and Sandy
Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James
Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni
Linking to Our World Tuesday by Lady Fi
Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart
Linking to Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) by NC Sue
Linking to ALL SEASONS by Jesh
Linking to Fences Around the World by Gosia
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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display
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Your Sanibel photos are fantastic, I would love to go there and nearly did once but had to turn back before we reached it. Roseate spoonbill a are such striking birds. I just photographed some Egyptian geese in Regents Park, London.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and you have a fabulous back yard to take photos in :-) Happy day Diane
ReplyDeletefor being mostly rained in...lots of nice shots.
ReplyDeleteLove the shot of the heron. He does appear to be in a hurry! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know spoonbills came in that colour - what a glorious bird! The sunset show is lovely too
ReplyDeleteHello, I loved Sanibel and Corkscrew. Two of my favorite places in Florida. The birds are lovely, I especially love the Spoonbill and Reddish Egret. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend! PS, thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteThe Spoonbill reminds me of a favourite book from my childhood. I don't remember the topic, whether it was a bird identification book or a storybook, but I do remember the Spoonbill distinctly. - Margy
ReplyDeleteWow! Such wonderful shots! Love the spoonbill, herons and egrets!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazing! You could catch the image of every bird.
ReplyDeleteThe sunrise is fabulous, but oh, those amazing birds. I kept thinking "I love this one" and then the next and the next...super photo of the stilt...and who doesn't love lovey-doves?
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick a favourite, I'd have to say snowy egrets, but oh a bunny!!
Kay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Beautiful photos! Love the egrets and must admit I've never heard of a marsh rabbit. Doesn't look anything like the little bunnies around here.
ReplyDeleteWhat striking birds! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteWillets seem to be everywhere! Fantastic photos with your new camera!! And terrific birds!
ReplyDeletemy favorite stilt
ReplyDeleteYou sure took some prize winning photos on that trip! Places I would love to visit. The Spoonbill is just about my favorite Florida bird...love those bright colors! Enjoy your day! It's hot but at least we're out of that rain pattern...I hope!
ReplyDeleteWow that spoonbill is so bright pink! My favorite this week is the tri-colored heron! Thank you so much for changing your comment setting. Heard from someone in the UK that because of this new ruling she is blocked from other sites in Europe, so I guess I can't complain (though I really badly want to, lol!) Many thanks for sharing these wonderful captures of birds and other critters with All Seasons! Hope your move is going smoothly:)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your captures. The lighting you got on the willet is magical.
ReplyDeleteStunning photos! Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteYour birds are just stunning with their wonderful colors!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered about mirorless cameras, it's nice to get the lowdown. If I had a backyard like yours I'd never leave.
ReplyDeleteYou start off with this caveat about a camera and its settings, and then you proceed to blow my mind with your pictures. You are amazing and never let me down! I will just say that I loved them ALL!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your photographs, Ken! Sanibel is one of our favorite areas and your images have motivated me to schedule a trip soon.
ReplyDeleteHope you didn't have any high water (or other) issues due to Alberto. We need all this rain but I hope it gives a few days to get out for awhile!
I enjoyed your treks. Florida is like much of Arizona right now. Unbearable heat. That camera takes interesting pics. I like the shots. And if it means a lighter camera, I'm all for it.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. Nice to have Egyptian Geese within easy camera range. The spoonbills are beautiful.
ReplyDelete