Lakeland, FL ~ A Walk around Lake Morton

Life Bird #423 ~ Black Swans

Life Bird #424 ~ Black-necked Swan

Wood Duck ~ Drake

Wood Duck ~ Hen

Ruddy Duck ~ Hen

Ring-necked Duck

White Pelicans

Watsonville, CA ~ walking the Slough's

Anna'a Hummingbird on Mexican Sage

Lesser Goldfinch

White-crowned Sparrow

Brown & White Pelicans resting

Merritt Island NWR, FL

Thistle

Twin-spotted Skipper ~ Life Butterfly

Marbled Goodwits

White Pelicans

Tricolored Heron

Roseate Spoonbill feeding

Thistle

Cape May Point State Park

White Pelicans

The past few days there have been 2 White Pelicans hanging around one of the ponds with a Tundra Swan so I went over for a walk. It was great to see both of them along with a variety of ducks including American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Gadwall and of course, the ever present Mallards.

Tundra Swan

Drake Gadwall

Hen Gadwall

Hen & Drake (front) Mallards

Sanibel Island, FL ~ Ding Darling NWR

Willet

For a long time it was a dream of mine to travel the roads of Ding Darling NWR.  Today was the day to explore both Sanibel and Captiva Islands in FL.  Best of all I was able to purchase my Golden Age Pass here at the refuge which is good for life in any of the NWR and parks.  The main wildlife drive is 4 miles long and hosts a great variety of birds.  In addition there are several trails and other areas to explore though we didn't have time to hike as we planned to explore all of the Captiva and Sanibel in just one short day.  I was excited to have great looks at both Roseate Spoonbills and White Pelicans.  We saw several alligators and an otter also.

Roseate Spoonbill

White Pelicans

American Alligator