There was still one egret to find down here in south Florida. After seeing lots of herons and egrets, one species was eluding me … the Reddish Egret. Cornell describes this bird in this manner: “In the stately and dignified world of herons, Reddish Egrets are the swashbuckling cousins. These big, cinnamon and steely gray birds put on a show as they forage in shallow saltwater. They race back and forth, open and shut their wings, stir up sediment with their feet, and even swoop low over the water in flight—all in pursuit of small fish”. (Cornell link)
My search focused upon the shorebird heaven in the Fort Myers area, Bunche Beach. If you visit this beach, arrive about an hour after low tide when the incoming waters bring food to the shorebirds, egrets and herons. Two afternoons ago I found a Reddish Egret near the outflow of the small creek that is 1/2 mile down the shore to the NW from the parking. Unfortunately the egret was always between me and the sun … a silhouette. Yesterday morning I returned shortly after sunrise to Bunche Beach in the hopes “red” would be hunting for breakfast near the same creek outflow. Jackpot, but this time the sun was low and behind me … the golden hour!
Before I show the Reddish Egret images, here are some parking lot photos! I was birding the beach for 90 minutes, and apparently the morning low of 41F kept everyone away except this MInnesotan. I was the only person present … no morning beachcombers or birders! Here are two photographs of my rental car … the only vehicle present.
Most of my photographs were taken as I watched to Reddish Egret fish right next to a White Ibis. These two wading birds have different food desires, and foraging methods. It was obvious the Egret was watching to see what the Ibis might scare up!
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I used to do a lot of my Florida birding along the Gulf coast, but have not been back since the hurricane. I’ve heard that most of the old good places near Ft. Myers were either wiped out or replaced by chain link fences and condo developments. What have you found in your birding & photography travels there this week?
Love the name … Camera Carl! I can’t compare your past experiences, but I was never a lover of Sanibel and Ding Darling even before the hurricanes. What I like about Bunche Beach is it is not built up at all, and the shoreline to the NW is undeveloped and a preserve. If you time the tides properly the number of shorebirds is amazing, but not so much the herons and egrets. If you are willing to get your feet wet and wade across the small creek, the beach stretches for a long way further … also undeveloped. This seemed to be where the osprey were bringing their fish back. Other than Bunche Beach on the Gulf Side, development seems to rule. About 300 yards before the beach is a kayak rental place. It would be fun to kayak the cypress swamps to the ocean.
I did go back and hike Estero Preserve again this afternoon. I was stopped a couple hundred yards from the best wetlands. I did not have muck boots, nor did I realize the trail would eventually be under water, but I still love this preserve. The raptors were great and I put a listening station out for owls two hours ago.
these are stunning! thanks for being there and sharing!
I’m a Minnesotan who winters on the Atlantic side of Florida and love the antics of Reddish Egrets as they forage. So entertaining. If you get to the Atlantic coast sometime, I highly recommend Merritt Island NWR next to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. (I always wonder what the wildlife think when a rocket is launched.) Another winner in central Florida is Lake Apopka near Orlando. I believe access to the Wildlife Drive is limited. The local Orange County Audubon is raising funds to build a visitors’ center on land they are re-wilding. They also host weekly “Bird Chats” on Zoom. Their website has details.
Thank you for all the great information … for me and all the other readers!