SNOWY EGRET, BABCOCK/WEBB WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA,PUNTA GORDA,FLORIDA, 3/30/2019

FEMALE DOWNY WOODPECKER, BABCOCK/WEBB WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA,PUNTA GORDA,FLORIDA, 3/30/2019

EASTERN TOWHEE, BABCOCK/WEBB WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, PUNTA GORDA,FLORIDA, 3/30/2019

   This is the White-eyed subspecies of the Eastern Towhee, which is found in the Southeast U.S.

BACHMAN'S SPARROW, BABCOCK/WEBB WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, TUCKERS GRADE, PUNTA GORDA,FLORIDA, 3/30/2019

      We went to Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area to find the Bachman's Sparrow.  One of our party, Eleanor Marr, knew approximately where one had been seen before.  We went to that area and low-and-behold she heard one singing, as did the rest of us.  After about 15-20 minutes the Sparrow was finally sighted by Sharon Leavy.  The Sparrow was backlighted, so the photos I took didn't show any detail or color.  Using Lightroom CC, I was only able to edit one photo so that some detail and color showed.

      We can ID this Sparrow as Bachman's Sparrow as follows:

• The Sparrow was singing the Bachman's Sparrow beautiful whistled song.  The song was definitely coming from the bird in the photo below and was heard by our party (4) and another birding party (3)
• The Sparrow was perched on a fairly low tree limb in the Bachman's Sparrow typical habitat: southern pine woodlands
• Rufous upperparts
• Gray face
• Dark streaking on the nape and back
• Gray underparts
• Long tail

    Bachman's Sparrow is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 848.  

SANDHILL CRANE, BEHIND WALMART SUPERCENTER, 375 KINGS HIGHWAY, PORT CHARLOTTE,FLORIDA, 3/29/2019

HOUSE CROW, NOKOMIS BEACH,CASEY KEY,SARASOTA COUNTY,FLORIDA, 3/29/2019

      We can ID this crow as a House Crow as follows:

• Distinctive grey shawl across the rear and sides of the neck and upper mantle that contrasts sharply with the black surrounding it.
• Rest of crow is glossy black.
• Long, black bill, that is longer than other crows.

      The House Crow is of Indian subcontinent origin, but is now found in many parts of the world, where they have arrived assisted by shipping.  It is also known as the Indian, Greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo Crow.  In the U.S. they have been found mostly along the Florida Gulf coast, both as breeding groups and singly.  They have probably arrived by shipping at the Port of Tampa.  A small population of House Crows is established in the area around St. Peterburg, Florida.

      The House Crow is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 847.

LAUGHING GULLS IN VARIOUS PLUMAGES, NOKOMIS BEACH,CASEY KEY,SARASOTA,FLORIDA, 3/29/2019