BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

ROOST OF BLACK VULTURES, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

SAVANNAH SPARROW, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

   We have identified this sparrow as a Savannah Sparrow because of the yellowish lores, the eye-ring, the boldly streaked back and the pinkish tinge to the bill.

BLUE-WINGED TEAL, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

   The male Blue-winged Teal is on the left and the female on the right.  On both the male and female you can see the powder-blue shoulder patches on the front of the wing.

REFLECTIONS OF A LIMPKIN, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

SANDHILL CRANE, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

RING-NECKED DUCK, HARNS MARSH PRESERVE, LEHIGH ACRES, FL

   The first photo shows a male Ring-necked Duck (on right) and two females (on left).  The second photo is of a female Ring-necked Duck and the third photo is an interesting heads-on view of a male.

   We can identify the male Ring-necked Duck by the white outline at the base of the bill, the white ring on the dark bill, the black back and gray flank, the white "spur" in front of the flank and the red eye.  The female Ring-necked Duck is identified by the white eye-ring, dark cap, gray face and faint pale "spur" in front of the flank, faint ring on the bill and faint but wider white at base of bill.