PIPING PLOVER, BUNCHE BEACH,JOHN MORRIS ROAD,FORT MYERS,FLORIDA, 1/7/2021

 

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN MISSING A FISH & TAKING OFF, BUNCHE BEACH,JOHN MORRIS ROAD,FORT MYERS,FLORIDA, 1/7/2021

 

AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS ON WATER & ON SANDBAR, BUNCHE BEACH,JOHN MORRIS ROAD,FORT MYERS,FLORIDA, 1/7/2021

 

LARGE POD OR SQUADRON OF AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS IN FLIGHT, BUNCHE BEACH,JOHN MORRIS ROAD,FORT MYERS,FLORIDA, 1/7/2021

   We estimated there were at least a couple of hundred pelicans in this pod or squadron.  It was quite a sight.

 

FEMALE SURF SCOTER, BUNCHE BEACH, JOHN MORRIS ROAD,FORT MYERS,FLORIDA, 1/7/2021

   Surf Scoters and Black Scoters have been reported recently on ebird as being at Bunche Beach.  The Surf Scoter in the photos below was among several Black Scoters.  These Scoters were found at the southeastern end of the beach.

   We can ID this duck as an adult female Surf Scoter as follows:

• Two whitish patches on  its face: one vertical whitish patch at the base of the bill and a second whitish ear patch.  These two whitish patches differentiate the adult female Surf Scoter from the adult female Black Scoter, whose entire cheek is pale.
• Heavy, broad and relatively long triangular bill.  This also differentiates the adult female Surf Scoter from the adult female Black Scoter, which has a shorter and thinner bill.

   The Surf Scoter is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 998.

 

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDEN,NAPLES,FLORIDA, 1/5/2021