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Your Photos: Wild Animals & Nature 2007

Wolfgang Oehry writes, “From my living room in Wilshire Pines, a subdivision of Wilshire Lakes, I just witnessed an incredible event on Saturday, December 2, 2007. A heron was wading through the water in front of my lanai, looking for food. Suddenly, the bird lifted his head and I noticed something unusual on the side of his beak. What I thought was algae turned out to be a fish that had the heron's beak in his mouth, in fact covering most of the bird's. For the longest time, the heron wasn't able to shake off the pesky fish and when I tried to get closer for a better shot, he flew off, the fish still on his beak.”

Submitted by Wolfgang Oehry

Wolfgang Oehry writes, “From my living room in Wilshire Pines, a subdivision of Wilshire Lakes, I just witnessed an incredible event on Saturday, December 2, 2007. A heron was wading through the water in front of my lanai, looking for food. Suddenly, the bird lifted his head and I noticed something unusual on the side of his beak. What I thought was algae turned out to be a fish that had the heron's beak in his mouth, in fact covering most of the bird's. For the longest time, the heron wasn't able to shake off the pesky fish and when I tried to get closer for a better shot, he flew off, the fish still on his beak.”

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  • Steve Wright snapped this shot of Seagate Beach in Park Shore on Christmas morning. This photo looks north. Steve emails 'lowest tide I have ever seen there.'
  • Just out for a leisurely walk. When Bob Ferris came home from Tennis Monday morning he couldn't believe his eyes. At first he thought it might be a snake curled up, but on closer inspection it was a 'very large' snapping Turtle. Needless to say, he let it pass through.
  • Flaming-Goes (photo by Bill Schiller)
  • Grasshopper closeup.
  • This little opossum fell from the shelf into the vase in our garage.
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow
  • A Great Egret effortlessly soars near Clam Pass on Labor Day 2007. The image was captured by Sara Burg of Philadelphia, who was on an early morning walk with her dad, Michael. Both were in Naples visiting Stod and Gloria Burg, residents of The Meridian.
  • A Little Blue Heron goes for a walk near Clam Pass on Labor Day.The image was captured by Sara Burg of Philadelphia, who was on an early morning walk with her dad, Michael. Both were in Naples visiting Stod and Gloria Burg, residents of The Meridian.
  • A Great Blue Heron takes off on Clam Pass on Labor Day. The image was captured by Sara Burg of Philadelphia, who was on an early morning walk with her dad, Michael. Both were in Naples visiting Stod and Gloria Burg, residents of The Meridian.
  • An egret takes a break to dry off while feeding near Clam Pass on Labor Day 2007. The image was captured by Sara Burg of Philadelphia, who was on an early morning walk with her dad, Michael. Both were in Naples visiting Stod and Gloria Burg, residents of The Meridian.
  • A minnow meets his demise near Clam Pass on Labor Day 2007. The image was captured by Sara Burg of Philadelphia, who was on an early morning walk with her dad, Michael. Both were in Naples visiting Stod and Gloria Burg, residents of The Meridian.
  • Another beautiful day while on vacation at Captiva Island.
  • A pelican takes a break from fishing and poses for a glamour shot at the Naples Pier.
  • Here’s a picture of a resident eagle of Audubon Country Club in North Naples. Isn't he gorgeous?
  • One of the resident eagles of Audubon Country Club in North Naples just swooped down to capture a fish from the club’s pond.
  • Snowy egrets were called “yellow snippers” by the Seminole Indians. The lacy plumes on the head, neck and back appear during breeding season.
  • This is a hermit crab, usually found in the water; this one got left on shore by a wave.
  • Our little ringneck friend came to see the kids off to school.
  • This photo of a storm rolling onto Marco Beach was taken from the Madeira.
  • This ibis is waiting for mail on the Isle of Capri. Nothing but catalogs and bills today.
  • Thunderclouds roll in before the Barron Collier at Golden Gate football game Friday night, causing a 30-minute delay to the game. Marvin Kloss' 35-yard point-after kick split the uprights with 2:27 to play to give Barron Collier a 21-20 victory over the Titans.
  • Local authorities on Marco Island call this 'Bird Island,' and just before sunset it lives up to its name.
  • Perry & Maggie DellaGiustina enjoy “their eagles” in the backyard of their home on Carnoustie Court at the Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club. Perry took this picture on Sunday, September 16, 2007.
  • We took another tour on the Awesome Everglade Tours and found out that this tour was even better than the first! We saw many manatees and ran across this dolphin that followed us for about 5 minutes. It was amazing to be that close to dolphins. We can't wait to take another tour with Awesome Everglade Tours.
  • Len Morehead snapped this picture of flowers backlit by the sun from his front porch.
  • These burrowing owls must be thinking “There goes the neighborhood,” as construction work begins on nearby San Marco Road.
  • A reader caught this photo of a rainbow over the County Government Center in East Naples during a brief break between the rain showers Monday evening.
  • A strong-willed sea gull braves the winds of Marco Island's beaches.
  • While searching for shells on Coconut Cove, previously known as Coconut Island, Nancy Nash came across these watermelons growing in the sand. “What a strange and rare sight to see while walking the beach,” Nancy writes.
  • During Sunday's low tide on the rise, Nancy Nash sat and watched as the rising tide eroded Coconut Cove.
  • Two beautiful iguanas rest in the afternoon sun on an abandoned dock. “While in the midst of the population growing, you have to stop and admire the pure elegance and grace of these ancient and majestic creatures,” photo submitter Nancy Nash writes.
  • Maggie DellaGiustina writes, “this photo of the resident eagle at Bonita Springs Golf and Country Club required a few hours of patience to capture.”
  • “Here there be dragons!” Edwin Bridle writes after snapping this photo of an iguana enjoying the sun along San Marco Road.
  • Pete Zepeda Jr. snapped this photo of a tree frog sitting in a hedge at Blue Point Avenue in East Naples around 11 p.m. on October 2, 2007.
  • Melissa Kettler snapped this photo of gulls circling above the beach at the end of Seagate Drive after an afternoon shower on Friday, October 5, 2007. Kettler was at the beach to shoot engagement photos for a couple.
  • An egret soars over the water upon its takeoff over the waters of Clam Pass.
  • Marconews.com reader tomonmarco writes “These dolphins followed us for about fifteen minutes during our second tour with Awesome Everglade tours.”
  • Claudia Bruni caught a perfect seashell being tossed by the tides off South Marco Beach on the afternoon of October 15, 2007.
  • Tommie Barfield Elementary third-grader Rosie Poling, 8, took this photo of a dragonfly. Rosie wrote that she “likes dragonflies because they eat mosquitoes and that she likes to take pictures of nature.”
  • Tommie Barfield Elementary third-grader Rosie Poling, 8, snapped this close-up shot of a dragonfly. Rosie writes “Ellie, my sister, came out to see when I got my camera. Later, I realized [the dragonfly’s] wings were damaged and [it] could never fly again.”
  • Tommie Barfield Elementary third-grader Rosie Poling, 8, photographed this dragonfly after her brother, Mickey, pointed it out to her.
  • Ann Mellema sent this shot of an egret in a tree along Loop Road.
  • Ann Mellema sent this shot of wild cypress trees along Loop Road.
  • Ann Mellema sent this shot of the Loop Road flora and fauna. Ann writes: “Beautiful egrets and gators, but very few ibises. Less water and more growth. We need to be more aware of the environment or we'll lose the only Everglades in the world.”
  • Ann Mellema sent this shot of an alligator crossing Loop Road.
  • John and Donna Brauer, Bonita Springs seasonal residents, had just arrived at Barefoot Beach on Sunday, October 21. John, an avid fisherman from Clifton, New Jersey, was surprised with his first cast. The shark was caught on shrimp at approximately 11 a.m.
  • Rob Mayberry snagged a 9.5 foot gator while out hunting on the Kissimmee River with Marco Island resident Jim Dale.
  • Jim Dale of Marco Island gives readers a peak at the dental work on his 11.5-foot trophy gator captured October 22, 2007 on the Kissimmee River.
  • A male eagle brings a twig into the nest off Vanderbilt Drive as his newfound mate looks over the territory.
  • Jennifer Semro snapped this photo of a hawk and writes “Majestic visitor in my back yard.”
  • An osprey targets its prey along Fort Myers Beach. Ospreys are also known as seahawks, fish hawks or fish eagles.
  • Jennifer Semro snapped this photo of an osprey taking breakfast back to the nest to share with a mate.
  • This osprey scours the waters of Fort Myers Beach on a Sunday morning looking for a tasty morsel.
  • This happy pelican looks to be enjoying lunch on a beautiful day on the water in Fort Myers Beach.
  • Jennifer Semro quoted Gertrude Stein’s “Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose” when she sent in this lovely photo.
  • Daniela Hargitai sends us this photo of Palm Cottage taken in June.
  • Daniela Hargitai took this photo of a ‘Pfingstrose’ – peonies - during a trip to Germany.
  • Daniela Hargitai took this photo of these flowers during a trip to Germany.
  • Reader Jon Ehrenberg submitted this photo of two alert burrowing owls with the humorous caption “Is this what we get in Bonita for $850.00 a month?”
  • Claudia Bruni writes, “I am always looking to photograph our elusive friends, but this [manatee] just came up several times to look at me .. just as curious about me, as I was enchanted with him! What a great encounter!”
  • A bottlenose dolphin smiling at us in Naples Bay. Chris Callison snapped this photo on November 4 around 6 p.m.
  • Goodland Bridge from a dolphin perspective.
  • Pick Me Up Taken 11/24/07 at 1:43pm. An afternoon walk at Barefoot beach produced this cute little starfish. As I was photographing him his little arms started to extend upward towards me - indicating that he was still alive! I quickly ended my photo shot and returned him to the water.
  • Wolfgang Oehry writes, “From my living room in Wilshire Pines, a subdivision of Wilshire Lakes, I just witnessed an incredible event on Saturday, December 2, 2007. A heron was wading through the water in front of my lanai, looking for food. Suddenly, the bird lifted his head and I noticed something unusual on the side of his beak. What I thought was algae turned out to be a fish that had the heron's beak in his mouth, in fact covering most of the bird's. For the longest time, the heron wasn't able to shake off the pesky fish and when I tried to get closer for a better shot, he flew off, the fish still on his beak.”
  • Sir Gust Bleys, of Belgium, who has spent the past nine years of holidays on Marco Island, was frightened by a six-foot alligator on the golf course.
  • Henry, as this cattle egret is called, occasionally hangs out on the railing of the local McDonald's. As people go through the drive-thru, Henry hang out on the railing waiting for a free hand out.
  • Henry, as this cattle egret is called, occasionally hangs out on the railing of the local McDonald's. As people go through the drive-thru, Henry hang out on the railing waiting for a free hand out.
  • A few days ago, a number of cormorants landed in the small man-made lake in a local subdivision. They come a couple of times a year and drive fish into the cove. Other water birds (egrets, herons, ibis, cranes) were attracted by the scene and lined up to watch from the shore, hoping for a catch.
  • Two bald eagles joined a number of cormorants and other water birds in the small man-made lake in a local subdivision. The eagle stayed for about fifteen minutes.
  • One bald eagle was eating a bass he plucked from the lake. He did not share.
  • Two bald eagles joined a number of cormorants and other water birds in the small man-made lake in a local subdivision. The eagle stayed for about fifteen minutes. When the bald eagles decided to leave, one flew off in a northerly direction, and the other flew south.
  • Pete Zepeda Jr. snapped this photo of a Zebra Long-Wing butterfly near 23rd Avenue Southwest on Dec. 5, 2007.
  • Pete Zepeda Jr. snapped this photo of a Zebra Long-Wing butterfly near 23rd Avenue Southwest on Dec. 5, 2007.
  • The beach is always a good place to stop to do some reflecting on life. Nancy Nash snapped this shot at Residents Beach on Marco Island.
  • And the take off is good! Nancy Nash snapped this shot of a pelican taking off at Residents Beach on Marco Island.
  • Nancy Nash writes, 'A pelican flies in front of my view as I was taking a picture of Cape Marco.'
  • Nancy Nash writes, '[There's] never a dull moment for the birds on Residents Beach on Marco Island.'
  • Steve Wright snapped this shot of Seagate Beach in Park Shore on Christmas morning. This photo looks south. Steve emails 'lowest tide I have ever seen there.'
  • A pair of eagles in Estero is now busy constructing their nest.

Photos submitted by our readers showing the unique wild animals and natural beauty in and around Southwest Florida.

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