Flamingo and a Great White Heron

Thursday, July 16th


It is getting harder to find lifers in my 'backyard', but today I was finally able to spot a Lifer in a  rare to our-corner-of-Florida, American Flamingo. The bird has been reported for a the past few days, with Keith Laakkonen confirming the flamingo in the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve.

American Flamingo seen at Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve
Photo courtesy of Keith Laakkonen

This site can be reached by kayak or by use of a spotting scope from New Pass at Lover's Key State Park, which is south of Ft Myers Beach.

My best pic

Even though the flamingo is an iconic symbol for the State of Florida they are infrequent visitors here, and escapees are always a possible status of some of these sightings.

Great White Egret seen at New Pass

My first interesting bird seen when I arrived on site this morning was a Great White Heron. A white morph of the Great Blue Heron. These Great White Herons are normally seen further south toward the Everglades and the Florida Keys.

White Ibis at New Pass