Monday, May 5, 2014

Bunche Beach

Piping Plover
Shorebirds once intimidated me.  On my last big birding expedition near Ft. Myers(and my last Florida post), I was determined to count every small bird on Bunche Beach.  It became a hotspot when I did research on the plovers found around this area. I had my pick of places to go but the word PLOVER played over and over in my head.  I love plovers.  They are cool birds and as it happened, there were two new ones I could add to my list....if I could find them. This was definitely a case of personal preference. Similar to my love of all things "owl", the plovers trumped the other bird species on this very early morning. 


Bunche Beach
This experience is not for everyone.  There were thousands of little shorebirds along the beach.  For a birder, it's a great big treasure chest.  For someone who is a casual birder or traveler, this might be considered rather boring. I battled hundreds of no-see-um bites all over my body.  As I write this post today, my body is still recovering from those terrible attacks.  I prepared as best I could, but it didn't matter.  It was the price to pay for finding the endangered Piping Plovers. 


Wilson's Plover
As a sign from the bird gods, it also began to rain and thus ended my birding adventures in Florida.  BUT NOT before finding my very first Wilson's Plover.  I was very proud of this moment in my life.  Again, I did it alone without any fanfare. There was a time I couldn't ID a single shorebird.  On this day, I knew all of my birds and learned many new calls.  The Wilson's Plover made a sharp trill that led me straight to the bird.  It was the only one I observed on the beach among all the Sanderlings, Dunlins, Sandpipers, etc.  And it was here I gained an imaginary birder medal.  I helped an out-of-towner and bird guide find the plover on the beach.  Then as a sign that enough was enough, it poured buckets of rain.  

Piping Plover stands alone on a sand bar
I ran back to the car all bitten up with my camera tucked inside my vest. And I watched it rain.  Rain.  To a desert rat, it's the most beautiful thing in the world.  I felt happy that I got up early and went to this epic beach to bird.  It's really a lovely place to visit because it's natural and untouched. It IS for wildlife aficionados. Not for the casual tourist. 

Black Skimmer
I hated the idea of returning because I knew I could do so much more in Florida.  So many people are very open with their time. I envy them because I am constantly battling it. Yes it's all enjoyable but there is a definite time table for out-of-state trips.  I don't have a moment to spare! There are so many birds and unique habitat areas to explore.  I could be more.  I could do more.  Even with my body covered in bites, I wanted to continue my work. 



So I tried to push it more and headed to another birding spot on my list but as I did so, it just rained harder and harder.  I parked in the middle of a forested parking lot alone still wet from the downpour on the beach. I love birds.  The idea of returning back to my "other" life was difficult.  It hit me like a ton of bricks.  



I could do more.  So much more.  But financially I am still somewhat trapped paying for those student loans after all these years.  I am itching to be free of those chains so that I can really fly and see more of the world. I am a child again playing in my neighborhood discovering amazing things.  My mind is a sponge ready to absorb observation after observation of birds. Watching a Black Skimmer skim over the waters is truly amazing. 



Or viewing the Semipalmated Plover among all the other birds on the beach makes me very happy.  And I love sharing it with others who love nature.  I love sharing it with Pat.  I love the random road trips.  The crazy birders.  Visiting friends I haven't seen in years. And learning.  Really really learning about myself, others and of course, the magnificent birds!


Plover love-Wilson's and Piping Plovers on top; middle-Black-bellied, Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover; bottom-Mountain and Snowy Plovers
Another adventure is coming.  Where will it be next?  Stay tuned for more next week.   Check out other amazing birds at Wild Bird Wednesday.

23 comments:

  1. I feel from you the enthusiasm of a child in wonder, and love you for it. I felt that in the presence of elephants. Although I did see a couple of very nice plovers as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chris, I love the Plovers too. They are wonderful shorebirds. The Black Skimmers are cool looking birds. Sounds like a wonderful outing, except for the bug bites..Happy Birding!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent Post!!
    I've always been fascinated by the black skimmers since their beaks are 'upside down'...the shorter part in the upper unlike any other bird in the world if I remember correctly.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a great post Chris! The photos are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice! Plovers are plump little jewels indeed, and with the future of PIPL so uncertain, it's great you got 'em!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chris, I so wish that I had gone here when I was in FL. One more place to visit on my list now. I hope we can both go back to this area. I am so glad you went. It was worth the bites!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So I can call you a "Plover Lover" now, huh???? ha.... I don't know anything much at all about sea birds--but when we go to the beach, I always see a bunch of them... From now on, I'll just call them PLOVERS... haha

    I cannot STAND to get bitten --especially by the no-see-ems... One time we were at the beach and started walking... YIPES---those things were everywhere. I couldn't get outta there quick enough... YUK.....

    Congrats on your new birds--even if you did get lots of bites.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great shots, Skimmers are fascinating birds.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful shorebirds. I usually walk more in forest areas and I rarely see shorebirds like these.

    ReplyDelete
  10. adorable little plovers and funky skimmers, but i loved the light in the 2nd shot you posted. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very nice post... your love of birds really shines through! Those Plovers all look the same to me, so impressive that you can identify the different species.

    ReplyDelete
  12. the shore birds are challenging to 'learn' and I LOVED the Black Skimmer. Your passion will take you where you want to go, as the opportunities prevail; you'll never lose out.

    ReplyDelete
  13. A wonderful, reflective post Chris - your love and enthusiasm for nature always shines through your posts.

    I love the plovers - great photos. I saw my first Ringed Plover of the year last week recently returned :)

    Hope the bites heal soon!

    ReplyDelete
  14. HI Chris I also love the Plovers and you got great shots of the little guys.Also great Skimmer shots. Now I think I will have to go to Florida to sea these birds for myself.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I so love all these wonderful water birds, Chris. Glad you found so many that you wanted to find! Love the shots! I know it had to be hard to head home.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Trapped between the rocks of desire and possibility. Its a hard place to be.

    Hope you find way between the two.

    Great story.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great shots and I am happy that you got to capture what you love. I know the feeling of wanting this life. My camera has totally changed the way I look at life! I hope that your dream can come true!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely place to go, full of shorebirds, my favourite is the Wilson's Plover, its fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your prowess never ceases to amaze me, Chris. Another great post.

    As a late starter to birdwatching, I find it difficult to tell some species from similar birds, and I just can't store birdsong in my brain either. Shorebirds are confusing to me with their (often greatly) differing summer and winter plumages, and living far from the sea I don't get enough exposure to them. I love to watch them, however!

    ReplyDelete
  20. so glad you were able to find the plover and photograph it. sorry it rained though and all those bites. i can see you swatting off the bites and taking the picture at the same time... hope other endeavors are as lucky for you. have a great day~

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by!