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.