Jan. 30, 2020 - Birds in Flight - Part 1

During our trip to Sanibel Island, Florida, last December, I took lots of photos of birds in flight. All of today’s photos were taken at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge located on the island.

This is a Great Egret. At 29 inches long, it is one of the larger wading birds, and it’s quite common in Florida.

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Reddish Egrets are not common but can usually be found at Ding Darling. The color of the feathers on its head and neck and under its wings show that Reddish Egret is an appropriate name. It’s 30 inches long, about the same size as a Great Egret.

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This photo of a Snowy Egret gives you a good look at its distinctive “golden slippers.” It’s a smaller wading bird, only 24 inches long.

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Ring-billed Gulls are very common in Florida. The “ring” on its bill is quite evident in this photo. This bird is in winter plumage. When it molts to its breeding plumage, the brown streaks on its head and neck will be gone, and it will have an all-white head and body

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Another wading bird found at Ding Darling is the Tri-colored Heron. It’s about 26 inches long.

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There are often large flocks of White Ibis along the wildlife drive at Ding Darling. They use their long, decurved beaks to probe in the shallow water looking for food items. They are 24 inches long.

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Another view of a White Ibis flying overhead.

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The largest birds at the Wildlife Refuge are the American White Pelicans. They are 62 inches long. There is one sandbar along the wildlife drive where you can usually see these birds resting and preening.

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This shot shows the massive 108-inch (9 ft) wingspan of the American White Pelican. It’s really an amazing sight.

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