MIXED-SPECIES FEEDING FLOCK, TOMATOE FIELD POND, IMMOKALEE, FL

      This flooded tomatoe field is located at the intersection of Oil Well Rd. and Oil Well Glades Rd.  The photos below show a mixed-species flock of mostly ducks with some shorebirds.

NORTHERN CARDINAL, SUGDEN PARK, NAPLES, FL

WHITE IBIS TAKING OFF, SUGDEN PARK, NAPLES, FL

AMERICAN KESTREL, SUGDEN PARK, NAPLES, FL

      We can ID  this falcon as a male American Kestrel as follows:

• The rufous color of the back and tail
• The grey wings
• The dark barred back
• The distinctive face pattern

BROWN THRASHER, SUGDEN PARK, NAPLES, FL

   Even though it was cloudy at the time of this photo and the colors of the bird really didn't show very well, this bird can be identified as a Brown Thrasher by the following:

• Yellow eyes
• Long slightly downturned bill
• Dark streaks on off-white underparts
• Long tail; you can also just make out some rufous color on the tail
• Rufous cap and nape; we can't see the back of the bird or its wings

   The Brown Thrasher is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 247.

ROSEATE SPOONBILLS, EAGLE LAKES COMMUNITY PARK, NAPLES, FL

RAFTS OF AMERICAN COOTS, EAGLE LAKES COMMUNITY PARK, NAPLES, FL

   A group of American Coots is called a raft or cover.  The American Coot is also known as a Mud Hen.