Sanibel…

Our first morning in Sanibel we thought we would go shelling.

We checked the tides the night before and decided to wait a

day until low tides were at seven instead of six am.

So instead we went birding at Ding Darling..

White Pelican…Brown Pelican on the far right.

See the size difference?

 

 

 

Mangrove Tree crabs..

 

I walked while Jeff drove, stopping where the birds were.

Mostly Willet here with about seven Red Knot, Dunlin. Short-billed Dowitchers

 

 

 

The morning flew by…we did some birding and socializing…

We met up

with Don and Lillian Stokes and chatted for a while, Our Sanibel

landlord Ken showed up with a friend and it was one Social

bird party.

I also had a life bird today!

White-crowned Pigeon

A great morning at Ding!

After lunch back at Homey…

We walked to the beach..

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Ruddy Turnstone

Mostly Royal tern and a few Laughing Gull

White Ibis hanging out on the beach

Beach goodies..

 

 

In the distance we saw this interesting tree..

On closer inspection we see its been decorated..

I have no idea who started it or when..

Some people have hung shells and others write names and dates on them.

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff and I found a shell on the beach and will add it to the tree after writing in it.

 

It was time to leave…

We retraced our steps…

this time we walked behind the tern and I was able to get this

shot of its awesome hair doo..

Tomorrow we plan an early start…

I hope the shells are waiting for us..

 

Good night Willet…

See you tomorrow!