Birds, Birds, Birds: J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Waves, Swamps, & Bayous: Southeastern Waters - Part 11

Saturday, 17 November 2018

Before we left Sanibel, we took an afternoon drive through the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. What we thought would be a quick 4-mile drive turned into a 2-hour drive and walk with spectacular views of water fowl -- and they were just beginning to arrive for the winter.

The Refuge is on the north side of Sanibel Island, the non-Gulf side. It is filled with tidal pools and ponds.

White Ibis

A white ibis meets success when fishing.

White pelicans congregating on a sandbar.

Little Blue Heron

Tricolor Heron

Reddish Egret

An anhinga drying its wings. When sitting in a tree, anhingas look like a “basic black” bird, but when they spread their wings they reveal beautiful black-and-white patterns.

Two roseate spoonbills refuse to strike a good pose for photography!

A mix of birds: White ibises,  a glossy ibis, white egrets, and a roseate spoonbill.