Cape Coral
My only solo excursion of this trip was to Cape Coral. Just like two years ago, my main goal was to see and photograph the Burrowing Owls; unlike two years ago, when I made not one, but two futile trips to this place, I was triumphant this time!
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
As with the last two times, my search started at the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library, one of the most beautiful municipal and county libraries I have ever seen. Unfortunately, my search was again fruitless.
There were other birds though, most noticeably the Loggerhead Shrikes.
I searched in another place, a baseball field where the Burrowing Owls were reported, but again my search ended in disappointment. It was already noon and there was a distinct possibility that my search outcome would be the same as two years ago. But, just when I was about to leave, a Burrowing Owl popped out of one of the burrows! It quickly disappeared, but I got a few usable shots.
After lunch I went to the baseball field to search for the owls again, but this time there were some utility workers there and I decided to go to another location where the Florida Scrub-jays were seen recently. After some wandering, one of them flew to a tree in front of me! I even landed on the ground just a few feet from me (too bad the direction of light wasn't ideal in this situation). I got some decent shots. So I got both of the birds that I wanted to see and photograph at Cape Coral, my trip was already a resounding success.
I then went back to the baseball field to look for the owls again. I waited for some time. Again, just when I was about to leave, an owl came out of the burrow. I waited until the light became favorable, and my patience paid off: I got some great shots of the bird.
At one point another owl, undoubtedly the first one's mate, came out too, the cute couple provided ample photo opportunities. With hundreds of Burrowing Owl photos, and the added bonus of those of the Florida Scrub-jays, I left Cape Coral once again, this time highly satisfied.
Cape Coral Lee County Public Library
Loggerhead Shrike
Burrowing Owl
Florida Scrub-jay
Florida Scrub-jay
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing Owl
Burrowing Owls
Burrowing Owls
Burrowing Owls
Burrowing Owls