Anhingas and Green Heron at Estero 2/25

Anhingas inhabit the southeast coastal states with their subtle grace and beauty. 

When observing the Anhinga, a Green Heron flew below him to hunt. 

Egrets and Ibis at Estero 2/25

Estero Llano is the winter home for Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, White Ibis, and a few stray Reddish Egrets. There are Cattle Egrets mostly in grassy habits as in the park in Alamo. 

 Snowy Egrets are medium size that inhabit the southern states.

Great Egrets (below) are large egrets that breed into Minnesota.

White Ibis are a year in the southern coastal states.  The immature are not white.

Brushline Road: Cara, Cara, Kestrel, Larks 2/24

Hoping for more on the 10 mile stretch (40 mile trip) but getting some interesting photos.

 Cara Cara, Mexican Eagle 

American Kestrel - small slender falcon

 Lark Sparrow

 Meadow Lark

The Virginia Rail and the Sora 2/23 Estero

It was a chance sighting for us when the Virginia Rail foraged to the left and the Sora to the right.  They were very close but did not disturb the other.  Grateful I was to be there.

Virginia Rail Out in the Open 2/23

The Virginia Rail became more bold and had to leave the safety of the reeds to forage. Lucky for us and a few other birders on the boardwalk.  We stood for 10 minutes for sure.

Virginia Rail - on the Edge Estero 2/23

Virginia Rails are regulars at Estero in the reeds. The rails sometimes are by the edge or in the island by the  boardwalk.  They are very secretive so it is always spectacular to spot them.  Virginia Rails either winter, migrate or breed throughout all of the US

Perching Songbirds at Pintail Lakes 2/23

It was a low light day but we enjoyed walking to Pintail Lakes in Sana Ana. 

 Here are a few of  the perching birds.  

Tropical/Couch's Kingbird 

Kiskadees, there were 5 in the same tree.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets

Vermilion Flycatchers