June 11, 2017 - Sanibel - Misc Photos

Here are a few more photos taken during our trip to Sanibel Island, Florida, in January. This is a close-up shot of a Lesser Black-backed Gull. It’s not a rare species in Florida but it is uncommon. It’s aptly named because there are definitely black feathers on its back unlike the gray feathers found on our more common gull species. During the breeding season those brown streaks will disappear and its head and neck will be pure white. The red spot on its bill is typical of an adult bird but the black streaks give the bill a very colorful look. An immature bird does have a black bill so this one is probably still transitioning from a juvenile to an adult.

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While I was hiking at the Baily Tract, I had a good look at this Mottled Duck. It’s a close relative to the very common Mallard. It resembles a female Mallard but both male and female Mottled Ducks look like this. Mallards are found all across the United State and Canada but Mottled Ducks are year-round residents of the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic coast as far north as South Carolina.

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This Brown Anole was photographed at the Bailey Tract. It is a native of Cuba and the Bahamas and has been introduced into the southeastern United States. It is highly invasive and regularly outcompetes native lizards. With its tail stretched out, it is 7 to 8 inches long.

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I’ve traveled the wildlife drive at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge many times. At the end of the drive, there is a trail called the Calusa Shell Mound Trail. By the time that I get that far, I’ve usually spent many hours photographing and have opted to skip that trail. This year I was determined to see what it was like. It’s a short looping boardwalk out into the Mangroves. I was delighted to find an Osprey nest built on a platform right next to the boardwalk.

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I watched the nest for a while and saw the Osprey pair coming and going. Finally, one of them flew in with a fish.

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During my time at the Ding Darling Wildlife Drive, a River Otter swam right past us and was very close to the road.

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