A "Bird-iful" Day in Sanibel

Yesterday we spent the day on Sanibel Island "birding".  Our first stop was at Periwinkle Park and Campground Aviary.  Periwinkle Park includes mobile home park models and campsites.  In the center of the park is an aviary for rescued tropical birds.  These are birds that were taken into captivity as pets, and then after the owners could or would no longer care for them, were taken in by the park owner Jerry, as rescue birds.  This rescue aviary was started over 40 years ago. There are about 20 large birds and countless smaller birds.  There are also ducks, swans, ibis, egrets and doves that make the aviary and pond home.  Adjacent to the aviary there are monkeys, lemurs, and other exotic animals.

"Pumpkin"; Catalina Macaw in her cage

Swans and more on the pond

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am Libby gives a free ("The only thing free on Sanibel" she quipped at the beginning of the show) talk about the birds.  Libby is a park resident who took an interest in the birds and has been doing her bird talk for over 25 years.  Her self-taught knowledge of the birds, their breed, region of origin, and stories of their life in the park was astounding.  She sends a clear message that exotic birds are not meant to be domesticated and if you want a pet, get a cat or dog.  

Libby with Cockatoo (whose name I don't remember)

Libby with "Dusty Rose"

A conure from South America

Libby talked non-stop for an hour, taking each bird out and giving information about the bird and often offering the chance to have the bird sit on your arm or shoulder to folks in the audience.  

Libby with "Rico", a male Eclectus parrot from Australia

"Rico" on a young girls arm

"Rico" on my shoulder

One of the stories Libby told, which I found remarkable, was how the Australian subspecies of Eclectus parrot was only discovered in 1913.  These birds are dimorphic, meaning the male and female look different, and in this case so different that when the first of this breed was taken into captivity they didn't breed for 75 years as the breeder had put the males together (green) and the females together (red) not realizing that the very different colored birds were mates.  

This is a stock photo of a pair of Australian Eclectus parrots.   I wanted you to see the magnificent coloring of the female.
"Ruby", the female mate of "Rico" is not fond of being handled, so Libby did not bring her out of the cage to show her magnificent color and the pictures I tried to take through the cage didn't come out well. 

Carol and "Woody"

Being a Green Bay Packer's fan, Carol was delighted to get to hold "Woody".  It was hard to tell who was more excited, Carol or this little guy holding "Axel".  "Axel" is one of the talking parrots in this bird sanctuary.  His repertoire included, "Hi pretty bird", "Hello", a catcall whistle, "Come on" and "Hi Axel".

Carol and "Woody" ~ little guy with "Axel"

Magnificent in size and coloring were two different Macaws.  I don't remember the name of the blue and gold one.  I do remember Libby talking about how she only puts him with men because his owner of 40 years was a man and since he died, the bird is only comfortable with men.  

"Pumpkin" a Catalina Macaw

Carol and "Pumpkin"

Blue and gold macaw

It was delightful to get to meet all of these birds up close.  But it was also sad to know that they were all going back into cages for the rest of their lives.  Libby explained that once tropical birds have been taken into homes as pets, even if returned to the wild, 90% don't survive.  They need to remain captive to be kept alive.  

"Peaches" a Moluccan Cockatoo from the South Pacific

"Peaches" mate "Piper" and Carol

I'm only including a couple pictures I took through cages because the pictures aren't clear.  Suffice it to say that this was a very memorable and enjoyable place to visit.  For the most part people learn about the park by word of mouth.  The park is located at 1119 Periwinkle Way.  If you go, there is a small area to park on the left, before you reach the park gate.  Guests are asked to walk or bike into the park, not drive.  You can leave a donation for the cost of feeding the birds and Libby sells post cards of the birds for her time teaching about the birds.  

Miniature monkey in the primate exhibit

Ring-tailed lemur in the primate exhibit

Blue Crowned Pigeon from New Guinea

Our second destination was JN "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  This is known as one of America's birding hotspots.  Home to more than 245 species of residential and migratory birds, this is another gorgeous spot to spend an afternoon.  There is a beautiful Visitors' Education Center, which is the perfect spot to start your visit.  Pick up a free map and get suggestions from one of the guides on where to stop during your visit.  We were pleasantly surprised to discover there is a Clyde Butcher photography exhibit in the center at this time.  Known as the Ansel Adams of the Everglades, the exhibit featured magnificent black and white photos of the beauty of the Everglades.  

Butcher looked to nature for solace after the loss of his son.

Butcher photographs exclusively in black and white.

While associated with the Everglades, Butcher photographs landscapes throughout the world.

Visitors to the JN "Ding" Darling Nature Preserve travel a four mile one-way road, by car ($5), bike ($2) or foot ($1).  The preserve covers half of Sanibel Island and the nature trail runs along Pine Island Sound.  There are side trails, overlooks and a tower to view the various waterways.  Sadly, we forgot to bring our binoculars.  It was still a tranquil setting and we did see multitudes of water birds.

Roseate Spoonbills 

Pied-billed Grebe

White Pelicans

Little Blue Heron

Hardworking Bayou

As you may have gathered from reading this blog, we do love a good nature walk, also known as a "nature bath". The idea of nature baths comes from a Japanese concept called shinrin-yoku, which means “forest bathing” or “relaxing in a forest atmosphere“, "bathing” in the energy and clean air of the woods.  Like meditation, you’re relaxing and reflecting while improving your focus and immune system in a soothing setting. Studies increasingly show the health benefits of "forest bathing".  There really is nothing like it.  I never regret a day spent in nature!  As a little girl, the woods was my favorite place to spend time.  We had a "crick" in our backyard, and I'd cross the little bridge and be in nature's playground.  It was the place I felt most comfortable, it knit me back together when I needed mending, it delighted me when I needed entertaining and most of all it held me while I figured things out.  It still does.

As with most of my blog posts, I should give photo credit to Carol.  She's got a great eye and often captures better pictures than I do.  When I sit down to do a post I go through her pictures and mine to find the ones that best showcase our experience.  She's also my first reader and editor.  It's a team effort and I'm grateful for the assist. 
💚💛💜