Sunday, April 29, 2012

Harns Marsh & the Three "R's"

Reflections, Roseates & Reddish

  We promised Beth a trip to Harns Marsh. It was postponed on Monday in favor of the fallout at the Sanibel Lighthouse, but very early on Tuesday we headed into Lehigh Acres and Harns Marsh, arriving at sunrise. Another photographer that we met there before was already in place.

Great Egrets
 Great Egrets were out in numbers. They are always beautiful and a pleasure to photograph.

White Ibis and Reflection

Harns Marsh
  While we were watching, all of the birds suddenly took flight,

Bald Eagle
 ...and this was the reason.


Roseate Spoonbills
 The early morning light complimented the pink reflections.

Roseate Spoonbills

Roseate Spoonbills
 The Roseate Spoonbill in the back is almost all white - very little pink. Both of these are juveniles.

Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret

Sister Beth: http://quilterb-bethsblog.blogspot.com/
Snail Kite
 We drove to the other side of the Marsh to see the Snail Kites. I was surprised that Bill drove back the sand road after our last experience - but I guess he took pity on us old gals.

Snail Kite
 They were quite a distance away - but very numerous. We counted over a dozen.

Snail Kite

Reddish Egret
  The last of my three "R's" is a Reddish Egret. This picture was taken at Ding Darling on Sanibel the day before.
Reddish Egret
He looks cold but he's just getting ready to open his wings to shade the water so he can see the fish better. I like this shot because it shows his bright pink bill and long breeding feathers.

Merlin
 Another one of my mystery fallout birds identified! This is a Merlin and he probably thought of the influx of tropical birds as "lunch."

Merlin

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