Last month, I put on my snowbird training wheels for the second time and flew to Fort Myers, Florida, to visit my snowbird parents and to, of course, bird. This year’s trip doesn’t necessarily top last year’s trip because last year’s trip resulted in a waterfall of lifers. This year’s trip did involve the following:
Visiting some of my favourite birding spots
Visiting some new birding spots
Complaining about the humidity
Enjoying the ubiquitous serenade of the Northern Mockingbird
Joining the Caloosa Bird Club on a visit to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Joining the local Audubon chapter on a visit to Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve
Seeing five lifers: Limpkin, Mottled Duck, Magnificent Frigatebird, Monk Parakeet, and Crested Caracara
Spending time with my incredible family, including my nephew
What follows are out-of-order photos of my trip, followed by a link to some birding videos.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Caloosahatchee River, North Fort Myers, Florida, February 2020.Boat-tailed Grackle, Cape Coral, Florida, February 2020.Full Moon, February 9, 2020. North Fort Myers, Florida. Green Heron, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020.Yellow-throated Warbler, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020. Reddish Egret, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020.Snowy Egret (background) and a White Ibis (foreground), Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020.Spotted Sandpiper, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020.Little Blue Heron, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020.Prairie Warbler, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020.Anhinga, Lake County Park, Florida, February 2020.Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Lakes Park, Florida, February 2020.Limpkin, Harns Marsh, Florida, February 2020.White Ibis, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Laughing Gull, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Little Blue Heron, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Willet, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Laughing Gull, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Magnificent Frigatebird, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020.Ruddy Turnstones, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Florida, February 2020. Yellow-crowed Night-heron, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020. Blue-winged Teals and American Coots, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, February 2020. North Fort Myers overlooking the Callosahatchie River, Florida, February 2020. Kayaking at Marsh Point, North Fort Myers, Florida, February 2020. Kayaking in the mangroves at Marsh Point, North Fort Myers, Florida, February 2020.
Sauntering Birder 