We greatly enjoy exploring the many nature discovery areas in Southwest Florida. In late November we made a reservation for the Conservancy Sunset Cruise . The two hour cruise leaves from Rookery Bay with the grand finale a small island to see hundreds of water fowl flying in to roost for the night.
Our boat passed several brown pelicans hanging out in a group of trees 
Various water fowl flying into the small island to roost. Included are Brown Pelicans, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Cormorants and White Ibis, among others.
Brown pelicans flying into the island to roost for the night
We greatly enjoy driving out into the Everglades on the Tamiami Trail, Highway 41, towards Miami.There are several spots that almost always yield at least one nature find. You never know what you will see and it usually isn’t what you are expecting to see. Surprises can be good.
A trail out in a Cypress grove led us to this Great Egret with lunch.
I couldn’t believe our luck when a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher landed on a branch right next to us on the boardwalk at the H.P. Williams Wayside Park. The luck wasn’t where it landed. The luck was it stayed and tolerated four very enthusiastic photographers clicking away to immortalize its cuteness.
If that wasn’t enough to seal an exceptionally wonderful day, a Black and White Warbler landed in the next tree over. We photographers all exchanged amazed looks of “are you KIDDING me?????”
The Snowy Egret is a beautiful, striking bird with golden feet. It uses those golden toes for several fishing strategies. One trick is to fly low over the water, dragging those tootsies in the water as lures. Then it flies back over and nabs a fish it has attracted.
A peaceful scene at H.P. Williams Wayside Park
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Up next are several posts from our fabulous trip to Peru in early December, 2018.