Feb. 15, 2015 - Sanibel-Other Birds Up CLose

Last fall, when Diana and I visited Sanibel Island off the western coast of Florida, I took close-up photos of many birds. Shots like this allow you to see features that might otherwise be missed. Here’s a good look at a Double-crested Cormorant’s hooked bill. The emerald green eye really stands out when seen this close.

CormorantDoublecrestedDingDarlingNWRSanibelIsland20141119

Beautiful, subtle colors are visible in this close-up photo of a Mourning Dove. The blue skin around the eye and the pink near the bill provide accents to this mostly tan bird. Notice how short the bill is

DoveMourningcloseGulfsideCityParkSanibelIsland20141119

A Red Knot in non-breeding plumage is quite plain. In a few months, all the white feathers will be replaced with beautiful reddish-brown feathers and this will be a spectacular looking bird.

KnotRedcloseShalimarCottagesSanibelIsland20141118

Prominent features of this adult Black-crowned Night-Heron are its red eyes and large, bi-colored bill. Night-Herons feed mostly at night and I’ve read that red eyes make it easier to see in dim light. Diana pointed out to me the white feathers growing down from under the bill. There must be an area of skin that extends under the bill.

NightHeronBlackcrownedDingDarlingNWRSanibelIsland20141120

The streak of yellowish feathers on the head of this bird identifies it as an adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. It also has red eyes. Its bill seems to have lots of scratches and scrapes. Also note the short white plumes on the back of its head.

NightHeronYellowcrownedcloseDingDarlingNWRSanibelIsland20141118

Roseate Spoonbills are always a delight to see at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. This is a juvenile; an adult would have no feathers on its green head. Here’s another bird with red eyes. This side view doesn’t show it but the bill really does have a flat spoon shape.

SpoonbillRoseatecloseDingDarlingNWRSanibelIsland20141118

How’s this for a punk haircut? This Royal Tern, in non-breeding plumage, has a crest of black feathers. In breeding plumage, the top of the head, all the way down to the bill, will be entirely black.

TernRoyalcloseLighthouseSanibelIsland20141119