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Trip Reports: March 2010 - Ding Darling NWR - Sanibel Island, Florida

In March I escaped the snowy mountains of Colorado and headed to sunny Florida. I met up with some of my family who were already there and spent most of my time at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge photographing birds.

On the snowy roads headed to the airport looking forward to some warmer weather. It snows where I live until June, so around March it's usually a good idea to get out of the mountains for a bit to keep your sanity. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Tunnel vision. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

At the airport. I love traveling at night... Less stressful for sure. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

On the causeway headed to Sanibel Island. The warm sun and beautiful blue skies were a very welcome sight. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

This was the view from our condo. Cloudy and windy but still very beautiful! Photo © by Nate Zeman.

I love living in the mountains, but it's always special to spend time near the ocean. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

It was overcast most of the time I spent in Florida, but the skies were always beautiful. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

There was a little bit of a flooding issue after a major rain storm moved through the area... I guess thats why they have the walkway. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Windy windy windy Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Apparently I'm amazed that precipitation can come down in a form of water that ISN'T frozen! Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Just having a little bit of fun with the rental on our way out to photograph for the evening. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Ding Darling NWR is an amazing place. If you're interested in viewing/photographing birds, this is the place to be. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A white Ibis searches the water on a spectacular morning.

* This photos is available as a limited edition fine art print *
Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Little Blue Herons are one of my favorite birds to photograph. This one was especially beautiful while preening its feathers.

* This photos is available as a limited edition fine art print *

Photo © by Nate Zeman.

One of the locals taking it easy. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

The Roseate Spoonbill is an extraordinarily beautiful bird. At the same time, it's also very awkward looking. When feeding, the spoonbill swings its bill back and forth sifting water through and hopefully finding food.

* This photos is available as a limited edition fine art print * Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Another beautiful spoonbill preening its feathers in the water. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

The Anhinga is often confused with a Cormorant, as they are both water birds. They swim with just their long necks outstretched above the water, giving it the nick name "snake bird" Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A snowy egret sits perfectly still watching the water passing by, ready to strike on its prey at a moments notice. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

An unlucky crab gets plucked out of the water by a Wood Stork. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Ruddy Turnstone combs the beach. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A brown pelican searches for food in a small pond. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

We had a very unfortunate incident with a Flamingo. It's a shame too because they are so rare in Florida. At least its a rental! Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A tri-colored heron lurks in the shadows, ready to strike on its un-suspecting prey.

* This photos is available as a limited edition fine art print *

Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Great Egret is reflected in the waters of Ding Darling NWR at sunrise. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

My first Pileated Woodpecker... Of course it had to be perched on a telephone pole... Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Roseate Spoonbill Rests in a mangrove tree. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Yellow Crowned Night heron pulls a crab out of the water... a couple seconds after I captured this shot it swallowed it whole. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Yellow Crowned Night Heron perched in a mangrove tree. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A wood stork on the hunt near a small pond. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Ring Billed Gull takes an evening stroll along the beach. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A beautiful Tri-Colored Heron perches on a branch silently awaiting its prey. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Tri-Colored Heron in flight. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A few Roseate Spoonbills Perch on a mangrove in the late afternoon. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A unique reflection in a pond serves as the backdrop for this Snowy Egret. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Bathed in sunrise light, a Great Egret takes flight. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Roseate Spoonbills are a large bird, but they look small compared to the massive American White Pelicans. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Roseate Spoonbill is silhouetted against a beautiful Florida sunset. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Snowy Egret. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron keeps his eye fixed on a target. It was standing so still the drip hanging from its beak never fell. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

Although they are water birds, Anhingas lack the ability to waterproof their feathers. This allows for them to dive easily, but makes them barely buoyant. Often times it is necessary for them to stand with their wings spread for long periods of time to dry their wings. It is very difficult for the Anhinga to fly with wet feathers. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

A Great Blue Heron stands motionless in the water. I waited on this heron for about 15 minutes waiting for it to strike on whatever it was watching but it never got the chance to make a move. Photo © by Nate Zeman.

After a few days of rain and overcast clouds the sun finally came out. This Alligator wasted no time getting out into the sun to warm itself. Photo © by Nate Zeman.