We were at Little Estero Pool in Fort Myers Beach this morning. It’s just a small tidal pool right behind the hotels and high rises that line the beach here, but it is an oasis for birdlife here. Mostly wading birds but some shorebirds and an occasional raptor like the Merlin.
First light saw a small group of shorebirds (Willets I think) working their way toward us. The images didn’t come out that well so I massaged one of the pics to try my hand at high key photography. What do you think? Click to enlarge….
We noticed when we first got there that a Roseate Spoonbill was taking a nap at the far end of the pool. The Spoonbill is a bird that kind of looks like God made it out of spare parts he had left over from making all the other birds! Beautiful and homely at the same time.
A face only a mother could love….
And don’t even ask me what is going on in the next two pics. Looks like some kind of deranged avian Yoga!!
“Downward Bird” Yoga pose….
Hangin’ with friends…
While I was watching this happen a small bird snuck in behind me and I ignored it for a while but eventually my curiosity got the best of me so I contorted my self like a pretzel to get a look behind and this little guy was staring at me. It’s a Cattle Egret and I had never seen them at the shore before. They are more at home in an inland environment. But he is a beauty!!!
Last but not least are a pair of herons, the Tri-Colored Heron and the Little Blue heron. Both of them are in breeding plumage and both are beautiful birds.
Tri Color Heron. All dressed up with no place to go….
It was early morning and in a shady spot, which made the blues the predominant color at the time.
The rest of the images below are a Little Blue Heron, a cute little guy who is a little spookier than the Tri-Color, but fun to watch!!!
Great haircut!!!
That’s all for now, Margaritaville is calling!!!! Thanks for looking!