Birding at the Zoo

 Sunday May 26th

A young Rose-ringed Parakeet

I arrived at 9 am, just as the Naples Zoo opened its doors, to engage in some birdwatching. The zoo's impressive tropical gardens are a reliable spot for observing the feral Rose-ringed Parakeets that nest there. 

Anhinga Nestling

Cuban Brown Anole

Young Tricolored Herons

Great Egrets

Additionally, there's a rookery of nesting wading birds on an island within Alligator Bay. The presence of alligators serves a practical purpose: it protects the eggs and nestlings from predators like raccoons, which would have to brave the gator-infested waters to reach the rookery.

Lesser Flamingos

Giant Anteater

At The Beach

 Sunday May 19th

American Oystercatcher

Today, I dedicated some time to birdwatching on the beach, arriving just after dawn to sidestep the day's heat. My start at Bunche Beach was met with a less-than-ideal tide, already swallowing the mudflats. Despite this, a handful of birds were active: Sanderlings, a Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plovers, Western Sandpipers, a solitary Willet, and eight American Oystercatchers. The skies, though clear of clouds, were also devoid of birds, save for a few Laughing Gulls. 

Black-bellied Plover

Reddish Egret

Moved onto Sanibel Island and Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge Drive. Best sighting here was a pair of Manatees. Again, it was not very birdy. A bathing Osprey, more Willets, Reddish Egret, a young, Yellow-crowned Night-heron. Was keen to spot a mangrove cuckoo.  Haven't seen or heard one for a very long time. Dipped on the cuckoo once again.

Seems this Manatee is taking a nap

A bathing Osprey

One last stop at Turner Beach on Captiva Island. The skies were still clear. Not much here. Royal Tern, Willet, Sanderling, Osprey, Fish Crow

Sanderling

Willet

East Tennessee

 Tuesday May 7th

eBird Trip Report https://ebird.org/tripreport/245480

Black Bear Cub

I recently visited Eastern Tennessee, including Seven Island Birding State Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although rain cut my day trip to the Smokies short, I managed to take the auto tour at Cades Cove. Spotting black bears was a highlight, with four sows and their twin cubs in view. However, capturing a great photo of the bears proved challenging.

Black Bear Sow with Cubs

Eastern Hemlock

Mountain Laural

Some of the bird life seen and heard at the park included Wild Turkey, Indigo Bunting, Blue Grossbeak, Wood Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Carolina Chickadee, Acacian Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbird, Chipping and Field Sparrows, Ovenbirds, Hooded Warblers, Prairie Warblers, Yellow-throated Warblers, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Carolina Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo & Eastern Phoebe.

Had also made two short visits to Seven Island Birding State Park, which is near to Knoxville, which features prairie, woodland and river habitats. Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Field and White-crowned Sparrows, Wood Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chats, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, Prothonotary and Hooded Warblers.

Cliff Swallows

Cliff Swallows

House Finch

Tree Swallow

Little Wood Satyr

Mallard Ducklings

Tufted Titmouse

Downy Woodpecker and House Wren

Tree Swallow

Carolina Chickadee

Musk Thistle

Southern Blue Flag

Song Sparrow

Carolina Sweetshrub