Showing posts with label Gopher Tortoise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gopher Tortoise. Show all posts

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Backyard Birding

We love to sit on our lanai and watch the birds. Bill had to fill the feeders every day while the American Goldfinches were getting ready for their trip north. We watched as they got yellower and yellower, then, one day last week they all just disappeared. We haven't seen one since - and our feeders are staying full MUCH longer!


We always see lots of Eastern Bluebirds.


They don't usually eat at the feeders, but will sit on top of a tree or on the feeder pole looking for bugs.


Another frequent visitor is the Tufted Titmouse.


For the last week we've seen Blue Grosbeaks. They like to eat the sunflower seeds that have dropped from the feeders. This picture was taken through the screened lanai window. I'm trying to get a better shot but they are very nervous and fly away as soon as I appear.


There are ALWAYS Mourning Doves eating under the feeders.


The Grey Squirrels have FINALLY discovered the feeders behind the house. Up until last week they were only in the front yard - never venturing behind the house or into the open space for fear of the hawks.


We have a Gopher Tortoise that lives behind the house. Usually, he doesn't venture more than a few feet from his burrow - but last week, Bill encountered him beside the house - and in quite a hurry to get someplace. We think maybe he was looking for a friend. We encouraged him to go back and watched as he walked behind all the houses heading to the protected field at the far end of the street where other Gopher Tortoises live.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A Day on the Beach with My Sister

Yesterday Bill and Warren (my brother-in-law) went for a kayak ride while Beth and I took a nice walk along Fort Myers Beach and around Bowditch Point Regional Park. Along the way Beth spotted this starfish in the water. It is illegal to collect live shells, starfish or sand dollars, but this one had already passed so I brought it home. Beth says it will smell badly - so I left it outside to dry out.

This gull (or is it a tern?) was having lunch.


Gopher Tortoises are a species of "special concern" that live in Bowditch Park. This cute little guy took a break from his lunch to pose for his picture.

Another heron. I have to look him up in my bird book to see what kind he is. (Update: my sister says it is a reddish egret.)

Here is Bill heading back from his kayak ride with Warren. They were gone a couple of hours rowing around the island and into the canals. Warren & Bill are both in excellent shape - but I think Bill will be a little sore from the hard rowing.

Beth and Bill.

This fisherman is cleaning his catch of the day. Notice all the birds waiting for a handout!
After our day in the sun, Beth and Warren came over to our house for a semi-homemade dinner. We had a great day!