The next morning I woke at the crack of dawn and headed for the Ding Darling NWR. The refuge is considered to be one of the hottest wading bird photography spots in Florida, if not the nation. Unfortunately, though there were quite a few photographers gathered, there wasn't much bird activity.

Follow me


A cooperative Tricolor heron


Colorful vistas


Because I was so early, I figured I would be the first to walk many of the trails.

I was wrong.


I was hoping for views of mangrove snakes or night herons but all I got was this raccoon (the suspected leaver of the footprints)


Two young raccoons in a tree were the center of attention.




Later that morning, as I was leaving the island, I decided to stop by the Sanibel lighthouse.




I said goodbye to the island, with dolphins leaping just offshore, and a snowy egret giving me the evil eye


In other news, I just got back from Texas and had the privilege of visiting Aransas NWR while I was there. Will be posting pics in the next few days!