Florida Gulf Coast Creations

Tag: Endangered

  • Fort Myers

    Fort Myers

    One of our best destinations to look for the uncommon snail kite is a large marsh just outside of Fort Myers. The kites nest in the area and the waters around the marsh are full of enormous apple snails, which is the main diet of snail kites.

    This day was not the best for snail kites. But their relatives, the swallow-tailed kites, put on quite a show for us. We know that there is a significant roosting area for the swallow-tailed kites not far to the east of this marsh. We were fortunate that a large group of them chose to feed above us. They are amazing to watch as they circle and glide chasing bugs and frogs and lizards.

    Swallow Tailed Kite Glides By To The Right
    Swallow-tailed Kite Glides by to the Right

    We’ll head back later in the summer after the young kites have grown and their parents are actively hunting for food. There will also be more apple snails that have hatched providing a better food supply. Stay tuned.

    For more information about this endangered species, go to the link below.

    A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Snail Kites

    Snail Kites

    This past week my friend and fellow photographer Art Nadelman and I ventured down to the Fort Myers area in search of snail kites. I’ve written about snail kites on a couple of occasions in the past. Most recently we had a great day photographing kites near Gainesville. But this week was the best yet for capturing images of these beautiful birds.

    Snail kites are on the Federal Endangered Species list. They are only found in certain areas of Florida in the US. Their diet consists primarily of large apple snails. It’s fascinating to watch them hunt for and grab the snails from the water. They go in feet first and pluck the snails out of the shallows then fly off to a nearby perch to pick the meat out of the shell. Apple snails are aptly named because they can grow to the size of a small apple. For reference, here is a photo of one in my hand.

    Img 1015
    Apple snail

    We see snail kites occasionally throughout the year but rarely find more than a couple at a time. This week we found a larger group that included 3 males which is very unusual. The males are a beautiful blue-gray color with bright orange feet and bills and red eyes. Two of the males were banded.

    I’ve listed some links for more information on snail kites.

    A few more pictures from this journey are included below. For a larger selection of photos, go to these galleries:

  • Snail Kites

    Snail Kites

    Yesterday we endured a 2+ hour ride with hopes of finding some beautiful scissortail flycatchers. But the flycatchers apparently decided to move to a different undisclosed location. So instead of photographing flycatchers, we had the pleasure of watching and capturing some images of 3 snail kites.

    Snail Kite Female Searching For Snails
    Female Snail Kite Hovering Over the Water

    These are amazing birds that glide across shallow waters hunting for huge apple snails. They are about the size of a crow. They are native to central and south America but are only found in Florida in the US. The snail kites in Florida are now listed as endangered because of habitat loss.

    Snail Kite Female Perched On Sign
    Female Snail Kite Sits on Top of a Sign Ready to Eat Her Meal

    For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Florida Scrub Jays

    Florida Scrub Jays

    Last week, thanks to some help from good friend Art Nadelman, I finally got the opportunity to photograph a family of Florida Scrub Jays. The jays are only seen in specific areas of central Florida and are on the endangered species list. They are curious and friendly which makes for some fun action. Several companies and organizations are stepping up conservation efforts to maintain and enhance habitat for the birds.

    Florida Scrub Jay Watching From Top Of Shrub
    Juvenile Florida Scrub Jay Watching from the Top of a Scrub Oak
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating Acorn
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating an Acorn
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating Acorn Heart
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating an Acorn Heart

    For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

Don`t copy text!