Two Birds Watching Me Enjoying That Sunset
My last post featured a beautiful sunset over Chokoloskee Bay in Florida. It was what I specifically arrived for to photograph.
I was standing alone along the shoreline, enjoying the colorful changes the clouds and setting sun produced.
…..or so I thought.
Aglow from the coloring skies, a White Ibis just a few feet away from me (there long before I knew it!)
Red-shouldered Hawk watching me return to my car
(“How long were you there watching me, Mr. Hawk?” )
They were both a happy surprise. I wondered who else was watching me in the dusky lighting as I got in my car and left. 😉
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
Time to enjoy another sunset! Tonight’s was a beauty.
I headed to the Chokoloskee Island Bridge that connects Everglades City to Chokoloskee Island. The bridge overlooks Chokoloskee Bay with the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge in the far distance.
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay – January 20, 2020
The big picture…..
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay and distant 10,000 Islands National Refuge
Then a quick venture down towards the shoreline for a few dramatic captures.
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay through the shoreline mangroves
“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.” ― G.K. Chesterton
White Ibis
White Ibis are considered the most abundant wading bird in the Everglades.
Small flocks of White Ibis usually forage together in shallow areas with less than 8 inches of water, but they also love lawns and parks.
Adult White Ibis foraging a lawn in Everglades City
Did you know White Ibis are not born white? They are mostly brown, slowing changing from brown to white patches as shown below, turning totally white before they turn one year old.
Immature White Ibis with a muddy beak from recent swamp foraging
Although their beaks curve down, it still looks like they’re throwing a lovely smile with those enchanting blue eyes.
Adult White Ibis
Immature White Ibis relaxing high up in a tree
Great Egrets
Pure white elegance nicely describes the Great Egret.
Great Egret – “Please Don’t Eat The Daisies”
Great Egret – “Chillin’ in the Breeze”
Great Egret – “Standing Proud”
It boggles the mind to see our white birds, including the Great Egret, most always looking clean and pure. How lucky for us!
Great Egret – “Focused”
This next 3-photo series is a Great Egret tucked in/under mangrove trees, who had snagged a small snack.
With the tight quarters, the Great Egret still easily gave the fish a slight flip to toss it down the hatch without hardly moving its head. Great reflex and precision!
Great Egret – “Eyes on the Prize #1”
Great Egret – “Eyes on the Prize #2”
Great Egret – “Eyes on the Prize #3”
And then it was gone!
Red-shouldered Hawk Watching Me
My goodness, I actually went right by this Red-shouldered Hawk, while I was trying to follow another bird in flight.
Thankfully my peripheral caught it, and I slowly stepped back a few in hopes s/he wouldn’t fly.
Red-shouldered Hawk watching me
Just after I snapped the above shot, the hawk took flight.
Red-shouldered Hawk
S/he didn’t fly very far before landing again.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk Close-up (cropped from the above photo)
Wow, I loved how close we were to each other! Close enough to feel the intent stares thrown my way. I gave a quick “thank you” to the hawk and left it to get back to its hunt.
— Photos taken at Big Cypress Swamp National Preserve
Loggerhead Shrikes
Another bird I am seeing frequently is the Loggerhead Shrike.
I sighted this song bird perched high in a tree above the Everglades NP Gulf Coast Visitor Center. I actually heard it first.
Loggerhead Shrike – there you are!
Most times I’m seeing one perched on a communications wire.
Oops, here’s one of them!
Loggerhead Shrike
It is called a “Loggerhead”, which is a synonym for “blockhead”, referring to this bird’s unusually large head in relation to its body.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
While out and about exploring, a bird I am seeing quite often is the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher foraging at Big Cypress Swamp National Preserve
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher taking flight at Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher flitting around in the trees at the water’s edge at Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
A silhouetted palm tree sunset from Florida…..
Sunset over Big Cypress Swamp National Preserve
“A day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered.”
– Nicholas Sparks
Pied-billed Grebe
With alligators, snakes, and other critters slithering around in the swamp, I was surprised and a bit worried to see this little Pied-billed Grebe diving for food.
Pied-billed Grebe
I always enjoy seeing this adorable water bird.
Pied-billed Grebe
— Photos taken in Big Cypress Swamp National Preserve
Big Gators and Little Gators
There are roughly 1.25 million alligators living in Florida.
If you’re out exploring nature for wildlife in south/southwest Florida, you’re going to see alligators lurking in the wild.
Alligator – “Swamp Skimming”
Alligator – “Big Boy” or “Voluptuous Gal”
Alligator – “Toothy Grin”
Alligator – “I think I’ve outgrown my log couch”
A different day, I found three juvenile alligators sunning in the early afternoon. They were about two feet long.
Little Alligators – see all three?
I spotted Momma Alligator hiding across the swamp about 60-70 feet away…..just her eyes above the water…..looking my way.
I couldn’t get a decent photo of her from where I was standing and decided it wasn’t a good idea to hang around for one.
I looked back at the juveniles and snapped a couple more shots, as they went on with their afternoon nap.
Those little alligators knew they were safe. 😉
Juvenile Alligator – “Snoozin’ with a smile”
— Adult alligator photos taken at Big Cypress Swamp National Preserve
— Juvenile alligator photos taken at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
Bay Photos by Donna 