Our Last Week in Florida

I sure am going to miss these cute little guys when we leave later this week to return to Colorado!

Birding has been good the last week as the summer birds return.

These are the first Eastern Kingbirds I've ever seen in the back. We see them everyday now.

Eastern Kingbird sitting atop a thistle and hiding behind the growing wildflowers and weeds.

A small flock was migrating through on Easter morning with several Blue Grosbeaks. Delightful eye candy!

They were pretty far out in the back.

The Savannah Sparrows are regular visitors.

Another not-so-regular visitor is this Great-crested Flycatcher.

Ah-h-h. Aren't my love birds cute? Don't you just wonder what they are saying to each other?

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.

Sanibel Fallout: Blue Grosbeak

This was a new Life Bird for me. I had never seen a Blue Grosbeak before the Sanibel Fallout, but on Monday, April 23, I saw dozens.

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak (immature male)

Blue Grosbeak

Blue Grosbeak (immature male)

Blue Grosbeak (immature male)

Sanibel Fallout (continued)

I took so many pictures on Monday and Tuesday at the Sanibel Fallout of neotropical migrating birds that it's hard to choose which ones to publish. The birds were all so beautiful but the heavy foliage and bright sun made photography a challenge.

Summer Tanager

This Summer Tanager sat still near the main path for quite some time - to the delight of the many birders.

Summer Tanager

According to my "The Stokes Field Guide of the Birds of North America" Summer Tanagers and Scarlet Tanagers can cross breed.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Even thought this shot is not as clear as I would have liked, I thought the colors on his wings were interesting, so it's included.

Indigo Bunting

At the exit to the park, late in the afternoon, (on our way to Doc Fords for dinner) we saw a large flock of Indigo Buntings - both male and female - on the ground.

Indigo Bunting

Blue Grosbeak

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

I didn't identify this Kingbird until I got home and looked at my pictures. Both my sister and I moved the "unknown" birds to a separate folder on our computers for later attribution.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female)

It's easy to see how these birds got their name!

Along with the birds, it was fun to bump into fellow birders that I recognized from my time with the Caloosa Bird Club, Vince McGrath and Ruth Woodall. I also enjoyed visiting with Charlie Ewell and Cheryl Anderson as we stalked the Black-billed Cuckoo, Veery and Lincoln Sparrow. I was surprised to read Bob Pelkey's SWFloridabirder blog and learn that we were also birding side by side. I'm sorry I missed the opportunity to meet him.

Sanibel Fallout

Just wanted to share a couple more pictures from the fallout that I thought were especially nice. If you haven't read the previous entry - read it first.

Magnolia Warbler

Blue Grosbeak by the beach

The beach was littered with seashells from the same storm that brought in the birds which delighted the beach goers. They didn't seem to notice the beautiful birds that were right next to the beach and in the park beyond.