Molly and I are escaping the Northland’s bitter cold for a short respite in southern Florida, and for me this means birding. One of my favorite spots in the Fort Myers region is Harns Marsh. Whereas other birding / tourist locations can be filled with people, the birding walk along the trail is always peaceful and only shared with a few other folks. It is important to arrive shortly after sunrise for two reasons:

1. The birds will be active and feeding (later in the day when not feeding the birds often hide in the tall marsh grasses)
2. The sun will be “behind you” and focused upon the birds as you walk the trail.

Here is an example of early morning, just after sunup … low bright sun behind me and blinding this Roseate Spoonbill. I have never been this close to a Roseate, and the bird never flushed (the bird could not see me given how low the sun was in the sky). I tend to hike two miles … one mile out and then back which takes me as far as some brush piles and one big tree next to the marsh.

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A couple more comments before I get on to my photos from Harns Marsh …

• Don*t miss what I have named “West Harns Marsh“. This birding spot is next to the county sheriff department’s training area and small airport. The open area right next to the marsh attracts raptors. Scan trees, fence posts, etc. as you slowly drive the dead-end road.
• For the first time we flew down to Fort Myers rather than driving the looong route from northern Minnesota. A key reason for flying rather than driving was finding a bicycle shop from which we could rent good road bikes (and for me an eBike). Give Bike Bistro a try. I am very pleased with their bicycles, service and prices. However, if you want “beach bikes”, this is the wrong store for you.

Harns Marsh Birding (all the images in this post were taken during one two hour birding hike)

Roseate Spoonbill

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Roseate Spoonbill & Snowy Egret

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Roseate Spoonbill & White Ibis (immature)

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Northern Mockingbird

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Red-Shouldered Hawk

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Sandhill Cranes

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Snowy Egret

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Tri-Colored Heron

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Tri-Colored Heron & Little Blue Heron

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Little Blue Heron

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Great Egret