We are Never Home

The other day we took an early morning walk on Fort Myers beach and saw both the sunrise and the setting of the full moon over Bowditch Point. One of the resident Osprey was also waiting for the sun to come up.

The butterfly garden was beautiful in the bright moonlight but we didn't see any of the Gopher Tortoises that call this home.

The tide was very low as we walked around the Point. Right at the end we saw a dolphin playing in the surf not far from shore - but he had other things to do and places to go so he didn't stay long enough for me to even try and take a picture. I just enjoyed seeing him swimming in the water.

On the other side facing west, just as the sun was starting to come up in the east, this beautiful Great Blue Heron was hunting for breakfast in the light of the full moon.

Success!!

Now to try and swallow it!

He almost looks like a Pelican as he swallows the fish whole.

Yum - that was good!

We enjoyed our walk on the beach and left just as the rest of the island was waking up.

I wanted to take one last trip to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary before we head back to Colorado at the end of the month. The air plants are starting to bloom and they are gorgeous!

Very exotic.

This is an immature Little Blue Heron - which is apparently easily confused with an young Snowy. After seeing this bird and having him identified by a guide, I wonder if I am mixing up some of the smaller white birds.

The Yellow-crowned Night Herons can't be confused with any other herons or egrets.

This is a rare sight! I always thought Armadillos, like Opossums, were born dead on the side of the road - since that's the only place I've ever seen them. It was hard to get a good picture of his head because he kept digging in the dirt looking for insects.

Tomorrow I am going on an all-day field trip to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge with the Caloosa Bird Club and on Tuesday we will celebrate Saint Patrick's Day by going to the Naples Zoo followed by a traditional Irish corn beef and cabbage dinner at Mike and Mel's.

Lots of Pictures!

Yesterday we took our friends to one of our favorite places - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It was VERY crowded with photographers everywhere. The cameras looked liked like they were competing to be the biggest, longest and best.

Just look at these cute raccoons peeking out from a hollow tree. There were so many photographers lined up on the boardwalk to take their picture - it was a circus. Every time one moved - all you could hear were clicks. I hope they all got great shots!

This is a Barred Owl sleeping in the woods. I wish I could tell you I spotted him - but even after being told he was there by one of the naturalists, I had trouble locating him. At almost two feet tall, you would think he'd be easy to spot but he blended in very well with his surroundings.

The staff had a scope set-up to view the owl better and Bill shot this photo through the lens. (I really need to get him his own camera!)

As usual, we saw lots of White Ibis. This is a young Ibis - just beginning to turn from brown to white.

I can't decide whether I like the foreground or background best in this picture! The bird is a Great Egret - but just look at the reflections in the ripples of the water!

Pretty flower. It's hard to remember that it's winter down here.

This is a blue-gray Gnat-catcher. We saw quite a few during our walk but they are hard to photograph because they move around so quickly. I don't know if Bill or I took this shot. Most of our shots were of blurred leaves.

This is a Black-crowned Night Heron, but again, I can't decide if I like the bird or the background best! I love the blues and greens. Even the way-out-of-focus branches that look like bright spots seem right in this shot

I spotted this green Anole eating an insect. These small lizards come in two colors - green and brown. We have the brown ones by our house.

Mel was standing on the side of the boardwalk and motioned for us to look behind her. This guy was about 7 or 8 feet long and close enough that we could almost pet him!

Just look at this beautiful air plant! The blooms are exquisite - very exotic looking!

We also drove through Ding Darling on Sanibel Island. I was pleased to see the White Pelicans are still there - but the Roseate Spoonbills have moved on.

This Morning Glory looks right at home among the Sea Grape leaves.

This Tri-colored Heron was running and hopping in the shallow water looking for food.

Just a pair of friends out to dinner! The Ibis would peck in the water and the gull just hoped he would stir up more than he could eat!

This picture was taken from a gas station lot. It's kinda sad seeing this Snowy Egret sitting on trash - but it's better than not seeing him at all!!

And today is another beautiful day in paradise...