Bald Eagle at Ding Darling NWR

We saw this wonderful subadult Bald Eagle yesterday at J.N. Ding Darling NWR, Sanibel FL. Ding is one of the best places in winter to see and photograph birds and thousands of birds inhabit the refuge, spending the winter there. It can take Bald Eagles 4 years to attain adult plumage.

Another treat was seeing this Spotted Sandpiper who posed in a stretch. Spotted Sandpipers have spots in their breeding plumage, but not in winter. They breed across much of the country near water including rivers, streams, mudflats, rocky shores. Look for them ion spring.