For the first time in two weeks we have rain, actually severe thunder storms, to start out the morning. Thus birding is out and it is time for a “moving recap” of my expeditions down here in Fort Myers. eMail subscribers will have to click on “video link” to watch any movie. Thus, let’s get on with the show!

How many of you remember “Sunday Night at the Movies”?! This TV staple existed before there was Netflix, Hulu, or even Blockbuster Videos. Yes, there was actually a time in America when the family would gather around the television, and watch whatever the television networks offered. In Duluth, we only had two TV channels while I was growing up. ABC was not an option. Our market was too small. Enjoy!

The Morning Feed at Babcock Webb Wildlife Preserve (video link)

Loggerhead Shrike Singing at Harns Marsh (video link)

White Ibis Flock in a Dead Tree at Babcock Webb Wildlife Preserve (video link)

Gray-Headed Swamphen at Harns Marsh (video link)

White Ibis Feeding in a Cypress Swamp (video link)

Remember … the Burrowing Owls and Monk Parakeets of Cape Coral appeared on film in a prior post. Tomorrow morning early we set off back north via Bald Point State Park in the Florida Panhandle where I will search for the immortal bird, the Brown Headed Nuthatch (would be a lifer for me). This park also is known for American Oystercatchers, which are always a treat for me to watch.

Monday morning early we start our way back to northern Minnesota. Given the weather forecast is for significant rain tomorrow at sunrise (Sunday), I made my last visit to Harns Marsh at sunrise yesterday morning (use the “Fort Myers” tag to see my other posts for this area including Harns Marsh). Birding was good and I once again enjoyed watching the Loggerhead Shrikes, and took a few pics of some other birds I had not yet features. Enjoy.

Loggerhead Shrike

Common Gallinule

Boat-Tailed Grackle (by 60 minutes after sunrise, their plumage starts to look plain black, but at sunrise … uff dah!)

AirBnB Birding! I pick our locations with care. Down here in Fort Myers we have a beautiful spot well off the main drag. Our rental is the upper floor of a nice home, and there is a wrap around balcony / covered deck (around the entire house). Early on in our stay I realized there was a pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks that were getting ready to nest in the yard. Although I had some nice photographs of the male hunting for food, this afternoon at “happy hour” I managed to capture the happy couple! The female is on your right, and is the bigger of the two hawks. Females raptors are commonly bigger than their male counterparts.

Three years ago in Tucson at our AirBnB we had a nesting pair of Western Screech Owls, and Gambels Quail which would entertain us at happy hour. I know how to choose our AirBnB’s. We head back to this spot in April!

Red-Shouldered Hawks … The Happy Couple

The Female

The Male