Bird, Travel & Art Photos, Birding Sites, Bird Information: PHOTOS FROM MY ARCHIVES-WADING BIRDS-PART II-EGRETS,IBISES,SPOONBILL,STORKS,BITTERNS,LIMPKIN,CRANES

My first blog on wading birds was on herons. In this blog I have photos of other wading birds: egrets, ibises, spoonbill, storks, bitterns, limkin and cranes. Also in the first blog on wading birds I described the following birding hotspots where some of the photos below were taken: Eagle Lakes, Ding Darling and Naples Botanical Garden. Here is information on the locations where the other photos below were taken:

Harns Marsh Preserve (Harns Marsh) - This preserve is located in Lehigh Acres, FL east of Fort Myers. It is about 14 miles east of Exit 131 of I-75. For more detailed directions go to the web site of the Caloosa Bird Club: caloosabirdclub.org. Harns Marsh is one of the best places in the area to see Snail Kites and Limpkins (see photo below). There are many other wading birds, ducks, grebes, etc. It takes about 3 - 4 hours to walk the circumference of the preserve.

Tiger Tail Beach - Tiger Tail Beach is located on Marco Island, FL. It is about 9-10 miles south of the intersection of Route 41 (Tamiami Trail ) and Collier Blvd (SR 951). It is not far off of Collier Blvd; there are signs directing you to it. There are really two areas of the beach: the tidal lagoon and Gulf of Mexico beach. The Gulf beach can be accessed by wading across the lagoon ( it is very shallow ) or a long walk around the lagoon. Tiger Tail Beach is Site # S73 of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Tiger Tail is great place to see wading birds, shore birds, etc. As an added attraction not far from the beach is taped off area with Burrowing Owls. This is in a vacant lot at the intersection of Hernando and Kendall streets.

Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park (Freedom Park) - This new park is located at the intersection of Golden Gate Parkway and Goodlette-Frank Rd. in Naples, FL. The park has a 5 acre lake and other ponds and has a 3500 ft. boardwalk and walking trails. Here can be seen wading birds, ducks, etc.