Tuesday's Travels -- The Adventure Continues

After a quick lunch on Tuesday, Gail and I were on the road again -- this time to go to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Our National Parks Golden Age Pass allows us to go for free and it is a wonderful drive although the best time would be early morning during a low tide. I still saw some interesting birds and there are always a few that actually pose!! This was one of many Pied Eyed Grebes which were really off in the distance but you can see his small stubby bill in this shot.



These were two of the many Blue Winged Teals that frequent the Refuge. I had seen them there before but not for a number of years. The name sounds a lot more spectacular than the bird which is mostly spotty brown but with a dark blue wing on top which you can probably see if you double click on the image.
There were of course many of the white pelicans grooming and sleeping. They are surrounded by legions of small shorebirds including plovers and sanderlings and a few cormorants and laughing gulls.


This was one of those posing birds -- a snowy egret with the yellowest feet ever!



This Little Blue Heron took the time to pose for us as well.


The biggest treat of the day (besides the Manatees) was Gail's dear husband driving us over to Cape Coral where there are many nesting Burrowing Owls!!! After a couple of attempts we found this pair sitting above their burrow in someone's yard! The people of Cape Coral are very protective of these little birds and erect stakes where the burrows are and little cross pieces so that the birds have a place to stand. During breeding season, they cordon off the burrows to keep away people. Bill and Gail discovered all about this during the annual Burrowing Owl Festival. Supposedly, they are found with great frequency in the western part of the country where they take over the abandoned burrows of prairie dogs, skunks and anything else living underground. They will enlarge these burrows though. Although the men teased Gail and I the rest of the evening, I can't help but repeat that they are just soooo darned adorable!!!