Great Sightings on Sanibel this Winter

Whether it is a cause or just a correlation, all of us have been blessed this winter with extraordinarily beautiful weather as well as some rather unusual sights.

We mentioned in an earlier post that Razorbills ( a penguin like bird) were spotted on the Island for the first time ever.  The storms up north diverted these lovely creatures and they came further south than normal.  We can not claim that was necessarily a good thing as the food supply in Sanibel is not really the chosen menu for the Razorbills.  But most fared OK and we hope that they find their way home with no further problems.

There was also a bumper crop of white Pelicans on the Island this year.  The white Pelican is larger and more striking than the more commonly seen gray or brown Pelican, and clusters of the white Pelican could be found in Ding Darling all winter long.  A drive through the preserve at dusk would be rewarded with a viewing of many white Pelicans gathered on the sand bars.

The sighting was made the more spectacular, not just by the sunny, breezy, low humidity and bright skies weather, but by the Roseate Spoonbills who appeared to enjoy the company of the white Pelicans.  The big pink birds were actually dwarfed when next to the white Pelicans, but the contrast in colors, the orange skies at sunset made for some dramatic and beautiful picture taking.

But the novel sightings were not just our fine feathered friends.

Among other unusual views were the long lost Rice Rat, the Indigo Snake, the Bob Cat, the Red Fox and  the River Otter.

That is not to say the River Otter,  Red Fox and Bob Cat are so unusual a sight, but the latter two are generally shy and evasive.  So the reports of Fox roaming in full view,  and Bob Cats sitting, unconcerned and unmolested right on the San-Cap bike path were joyfully received messages.

It also brought some measure of jubilation to the Island to have the reports on the Rice Rat and the Indigo Snake, as they have not been seen in years and were thought lost forever.  That would have been a sad note in he annals of Sanibel animal history as the Rice Rat is only found on the Island, no where else.

Also sighted, and with some alarm for those not accustomed to seeing them, were the thorn bugs.  The thorn bugs are so named as they look so much like thorns on branches that those who see these "thorns" moving about are quite surprised.  The thorn bugs, also called tree huggers, are amazing not only for their unusual appearance but for their history.  They belong to a lineage that is at least 40 million years old.  

So from the tiny to the large, Sanibel sightings in winter 2013 will leave some strong impressions on those fortunate enough to be at the right place and at the right time!