tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50496008407940286792024-02-07T06:53:04.409-05:00Ain't Nature GrandI think it's AWESOME!Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-42397939534007411282012-01-01T17:17:00.000-05:002012-01-01T17:17:24.748-05:00FOY First of the Year BirdsEvery year the "BRDBRAIN" List serve members list the first bird they see in the new year. I usually chirp in my lonley little city bird the Eurasion Collored Dove, although sometimes it might be a Mocking Bird and once was it was the little Loggerhead Shrike that use to visit the tree out side my condo. The Shrike didn't show up at all this year and I miss him. Oh well I digress. On with the story.<br />
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Well being a city dweller and living in a condo to boot my usual FOY is an Eurasian-collared Dove, but since the ground crew have seriously trimmed back the tree just off my balcony the doves have moved their residence and they were not out there this morning.<br />
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</div><div>Now if had been paying attention to the birds this morning on my way to the grocery this morning I might have seen a White-wing Dove, a Mocking bird, a Grackle or a Starling as I drove out of the complex. Or if I had been looking for birds as I normally do I might have looked over on the golf course and seen several Egyptian Geese or the Muscovy Ducks that usually hang out there and if my mind had really been on birds I might have been looking for the Common Myna that I have seen there occasionally or I might have see all the pigeons that hang out hoping for a handout. But as it was for some reason my thought were not of birds and the first bird that I actually saw the first bird to wake me from my stupor was...........are you ready for it???</div><div><div><br />
</div><div>Drum Roll if you please................</div><div><br />
</div><div>The first bird I really saw this morning was a pair of House Sparrows as I walked out of the store..............Bah Humbug! </div><div><br />
</div><div>Hummmmmmmmmmmm I don't think I even have a picture of a House Sparrow.</div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fi3S7LilTWu7ibrP9j5tSN5m6xMHrI-KfONOtcGRpUlyR_CUhehB0KZXH9GcoPn8GBgIagm3iFKQ8Eo-ID5G3mQFb0CHavg3zUdhx_65NoqEFUJ_iH7uTAK-lwaAT9to8adTnWdznnh9/s1600/boat-tailed+Grackle_8598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Fi3S7LilTWu7ibrP9j5tSN5m6xMHrI-KfONOtcGRpUlyR_CUhehB0KZXH9GcoPn8GBgIagm3iFKQ8Eo-ID5G3mQFb0CHavg3zUdhx_65NoqEFUJ_iH7uTAK-lwaAT9to8adTnWdznnh9/s320/boat-tailed+Grackle_8598.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boat-tailed Grackle</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucKu6cg2ZYKZyi0I3Qtd7KluIt3MZ7ueQiARX3KefRswqZyiUVOzBm3yJl7Soke6ja42ho5vqsgUGa1zPzLFvfyr_PENYNTtQhQWH3n7V3vFR2oh86w9yeK19HOnrDJWYTuEM9pUgjOzZ/s1600/EGYPTgooge9730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucKu6cg2ZYKZyi0I3Qtd7KluIt3MZ7ueQiARX3KefRswqZyiUVOzBm3yJl7Soke6ja42ho5vqsgUGa1zPzLFvfyr_PENYNTtQhQWH3n7V3vFR2oh86w9yeK19HOnrDJWYTuEM9pUgjOzZ/s320/EGYPTgooge9730.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Egyptian Goose</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseh5LWC_855pN9J6n4gntWO2rWx1IVlbxlSI8H_YrqdxbusPOZ0Btjgq0MLG-fFe5HYVVa8RXN0rBj48ga5XXd5-ObEW1jc_qmlbm16yCTeWQPx2Yb05L2YM6MUFJ29934BUMh880u8Yg/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseh5LWC_855pN9J6n4gntWO2rWx1IVlbxlSI8H_YrqdxbusPOZ0Btjgq0MLG-fFe5HYVVa8RXN0rBj48ga5XXd5-ObEW1jc_qmlbm16yCTeWQPx2Yb05L2YM6MUFJ29934BUMh880u8Yg/s320/IMG_1378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eurasian-collared Dove</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLWq9zGxoGSznpItv7ICaWzALwL9Ypmk_F4K05oBb2gB-5UBgT6_Gd7Ffhh6OWI-7CPh-L2kFSVAnGYHnBLcQMzL7rFyrDZ0B3dVhvcDmES5nFORFCtEW3ais_adpSM5C_9o74AaP-uIc/s1600/mocker_8688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLWq9zGxoGSznpItv7ICaWzALwL9Ypmk_F4K05oBb2gB-5UBgT6_Gd7Ffhh6OWI-7CPh-L2kFSVAnGYHnBLcQMzL7rFyrDZ0B3dVhvcDmES5nFORFCtEW3ais_adpSM5C_9o74AaP-uIc/s320/mocker_8688.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mocking Bird</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggORCFeGc5FMQLM_NjXHFaZOJ5TkCwY0brIwuYbZPDXDRm9m9Cn_fEBwQjFex1rHJB0jenTmiFWxbZ5b8wNULE6fYArFVP90nYCUAemtLNS4xsoUJ5UwGbtCHzzyXcIkt_eZLT-9WDev_/s1600/muscovie_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggORCFeGc5FMQLM_NjXHFaZOJ5TkCwY0brIwuYbZPDXDRm9m9Cn_fEBwQjFex1rHJB0jenTmiFWxbZ5b8wNULE6fYArFVP90nYCUAemtLNS4xsoUJ5UwGbtCHzzyXcIkt_eZLT-9WDev_/s320/muscovie_3021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Muscovy Duck</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRVddVGwjx3AqET2QvFJWwiesGHdYyAR78joPbLT26RrXlIBOxDHJj2iYOXgcnmXYh0yYsYjmALt80fzd52YlVx5tuSF339U0Up68aTOEDgmrlzoxjVbnhiZEehxLikPI3dbwZc6Ivr7-/s1600/myna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRVddVGwjx3AqET2QvFJWwiesGHdYyAR78joPbLT26RrXlIBOxDHJj2iYOXgcnmXYh0yYsYjmALt80fzd52YlVx5tuSF339U0Up68aTOEDgmrlzoxjVbnhiZEehxLikPI3dbwZc6Ivr7-/s320/myna1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Common Myna</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcHE77Qp5oH4WeTIE8mo3C_5UkMHJXll77hUvb6EdUODHCge_OZVeTi1Xa0k2AWDKLRrUZU1Ly-wLsJx1Q7hJxj4wqI2ywZl4sCT0CBXcjYL5jXV4UfkUwdzF4CH9ooMEZDOwkda8wePh/s1600/shriek_6946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcHE77Qp5oH4WeTIE8mo3C_5UkMHJXll77hUvb6EdUODHCge_OZVeTi1Xa0k2AWDKLRrUZU1Ly-wLsJx1Q7hJxj4wqI2ywZl4sCT0CBXcjYL5jXV4UfkUwdzF4CH9ooMEZDOwkda8wePh/s320/shriek_6946.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loggerhead Shrike</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4JoOP0PDvtxmy6tJUuF4bi4itMlXzQYpcGIEPUCPuhGhRkdBlrfoHW4ueE1OY3hMFQsq3c_pvArkb-q2enjIHOomxu1nkuTnPeteTnWrWUXVWPheeb46vQayITelEYlPvryEgVSmC9rc/s1600/WWD_8443B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4JoOP0PDvtxmy6tJUuF4bi4itMlXzQYpcGIEPUCPuhGhRkdBlrfoHW4ueE1OY3hMFQsq3c_pvArkb-q2enjIHOomxu1nkuTnPeteTnWrWUXVWPheeb46vQayITelEYlPvryEgVSmC9rc/s320/WWD_8443B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">White-winged Dove</div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-34558664975925409092010-11-21T17:46:00.001-05:002010-11-21T17:48:53.672-05:00My Loggerhead ShriekOne day in October as I was walking from the elevator down the catwalk to my condo I spotted a Shrike in the top of the tree in front of my condo. I was thrilled as I stood and watched it just sitting there quietly it appeared to me to be soaking up the last rays of sun. But the truth probably was he was looking with his keen eyesight for a little food before going to sleep for the night. Then I thought can I get to my camera and back out here for a picture. Well the only way to know is to try. So I very quietly open the screen door and walk across the porch and opened the door to the inside of the condo. I raced to get my camera turned it on and removed the lens cover and headed back out side.<br />
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The shrike was still there but trying to get a shot proved difficult and then he flew away. I could hear him and it sounded like he was now in the palm tree at the end of the condo, but I couldn't locate him. I looked and look but couldn't find him and he was being very quiet now so I though he was gone. I turned to walk away and caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye flying out of the palm tree. As luck would have it he flew to the corner of the roof on the next condo and I was able to get a few shots before he flew away again, swooping down this time to get a bit to eat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgKlFXPAqrUNvc7JZ4tsUmLz1coh3QhWRoFnwL_TpmQ_X7NiXkX0qWpmopuBsUkHtIyFq3bNSxhNzuoddCv2eB3T3i47bgHVBAp7WfOAfvQLQ2GAJZYc1xWwvOimmI6vuuNwWzRDE1S2x/s1600/here+he+is+3317w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgKlFXPAqrUNvc7JZ4tsUmLz1coh3QhWRoFnwL_TpmQ_X7NiXkX0qWpmopuBsUkHtIyFq3bNSxhNzuoddCv2eB3T3i47bgHVBAp7WfOAfvQLQ2GAJZYc1xWwvOimmI6vuuNwWzRDE1S2x/s320/here+he+is+3317w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Now I have seen a shrike here on the grounds before, but sitting on a distant light pole not close enough for a nice shot of. Those times I had to use my binoculars to get a good look and to verify what I was seeing with my naked eye.<br />
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One Saturday morning in October I was sitting at my desk working (where else would I be) when I heard this awful noise. Something was squawking up a storm, I thought something was dying or being killed. I stepped out on the catwalk to see what this noise was about. It took me some time to locate the source but I did and it was the most handsome Loggerhead Shrike. There he was in his black & grey tuxedo with his little mask looking like he was going to the masquerade ball. I still don't know why he was making that awful noise but it might have something to do with there being two of them (though I didn't know that for sure then). Maybe it is a territorial dispute or perhaps he was tying to attract a mate but isn't a little too early for that? I guess I need to read up on them. (I did a little reading and they don't mate here in FL)<br />
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I did manage a few photos of him that day but he was well ensconced in the trees and the lighting was bad. I believe it was badly overcast that morning.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN21TUG64Uggy3Ib6VwP_e4QTrvqUu24kjYFPPrLC5dz2uooKhiKbtWFn_K58h2BYwoRJ-ZysEUUxljK9L56VhQocRDAUlAabedr_kKqOkIGhexkT61dRlcio9jM6mI8F8ia2BQGna7NS/s1600/Shrike_3563w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWN21TUG64Uggy3Ib6VwP_e4QTrvqUu24kjYFPPrLC5dz2uooKhiKbtWFn_K58h2BYwoRJ-ZysEUUxljK9L56VhQocRDAUlAabedr_kKqOkIGhexkT61dRlcio9jM6mI8F8ia2BQGna7NS/s320/Shrike_3563w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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One Sunday Morning in November I was sitting there having my breakfast thinking I hadn't heard or seen the shrike lately. I was wondering if it was just passing through and had moved on or if it had any thing to do with daylight savings. When I first saw the shrike I would hear it in the morning before I went to work and see it usually on my way home at night. But that didn't last long. Now it is dark when I get home but still I don't see it in the morning either. Maybe he is a late sleeper.<br />
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I finished my breakfast and was doing up the dishes when I heard this familiar sound. it was my friend the Shrike. I went out camera in hand and although I could hear him I couldn't see him he was well hidden in the tree leaves. But I was patient and I slowly backed up against the wall and moved myself to the other side hoping to get a better view. This tactic worked well and I got a couple of shots, then he moved out into the open and I got several more shots of this handsome little guy in his grey and black tux with his little black mask...........My shrike.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3Ti5dHPDgQxVqS1TK3KVLZgGiaksBpnXgujC2dPmwmLjIxxYvCucIGc_oliQ-jc5DIHcFwvtd61QsDy53Wh1hwIrIT8wbLcxck7WtkXOvxLQs22g55Xv3vSSNudBpR8g_0bEr3gQcpAu/s1600/my+shriek+4147W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3Ti5dHPDgQxVqS1TK3KVLZgGiaksBpnXgujC2dPmwmLjIxxYvCucIGc_oliQ-jc5DIHcFwvtd61QsDy53Wh1hwIrIT8wbLcxck7WtkXOvxLQs22g55Xv3vSSNudBpR8g_0bEr3gQcpAu/s320/my+shriek+4147W.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I still hear him and occasional see him but on weekend mornings only. I think he is here to stay at least for the season. Some times I see both of them on on one light pole and the other on another light pole. I am sure enjoying these two little shrikes and now I will have to see if they come back next year.<br />
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I wouldn't be surprised if he likes my little tree so much because of the Bouginvilla that is growing up through the tree. I bet it would make a nice storage area for him. I haven't really tried to find any of his storage.........<br />
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A funny thing though is that the Eurasian-collared Doves that usually occupy that tree outside my condo seemed to have disappeared. You think.........................?Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-49699010684803115222010-10-07T19:54:00.000-04:002010-10-07T19:54:52.877-04:00I want to go Birding!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's been a long hot summer and I have stayed home in the AC working on my picture files and longing for the cooler weather and the birding season to begin in earnest. It's now The Labor Day Weekend and I Want to go Birding. Saturday I do the normal grocery shopping, cleaning and laundry all the while contemplating where I can go birding and get some enjoyment without sweating to death cause the weather is HOT & HUMID! I sit looking over maps and birding emails and finally decide on a plan. It probably wasn't the best plan for seeing birds but it would get me out of the house.<br />
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So Sunday morning we got up grabbed our gear and some bottled water and took off. Heading for Alligator Alley. It was a beautiful sunny day and the blue sky held a few puffy white clouds floating aimlessly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5lxtEWbFo0r6RLz_xcp1_O00imUTm26xge7luFobJcvHNGII4OUGPkZaCS5Hs17qRRKayEhVPUAOcKjJbmbPUAuEd3R_H5XGvQ6sPWE3uR8Tf3byHvhrfI20Sf_eReGoOhkJ9wm6Um-Y/s1600/beautiful+day+P1020476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5lxtEWbFo0r6RLz_xcp1_O00imUTm26xge7luFobJcvHNGII4OUGPkZaCS5Hs17qRRKayEhVPUAOcKjJbmbPUAuEd3R_H5XGvQ6sPWE3uR8Tf3byHvhrfI20Sf_eReGoOhkJ9wm6Um-Y/s320/beautiful+day+P1020476.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator Alley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I thought sure we would see something out there and I was right. First stop got a group of Turkey Vultures sunning themselves with wings spread. I thought they would hang around so was in no hurry to photograph them. I headed for the lookout tower and as I started up the stairs a Grackle let me know I wasn't wanted up there. But I didn't let that stop me and I continued on.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFImEqwsGazytxMSieHt-LhssY6sE5hCn7xjYOmoD_jntoXtp5du6D3LKm8cn2CB8TZXQtOIFJU279xWxueEpeStz8iGn5GUm4wA-JZ8w_IX44GFq-3SU3g7cyzlhr9vp8mOG89hKnWXc/s1600/grackle_2968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFImEqwsGazytxMSieHt-LhssY6sE5hCn7xjYOmoD_jntoXtp5du6D3LKm8cn2CB8TZXQtOIFJU279xWxueEpeStz8iGn5GUm4wA-JZ8w_IX44GFq-3SU3g7cyzlhr9vp8mOG89hKnWXc/s320/grackle_2968.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go away lady, I was here first</td></tr>
</tbody></table>There was a nice few from the top. There were a few fishermen out there but not much else to be seen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQqkvRuhC7C_fS-bZOVU35yLFZTxbPKS1Bpnoa8m86orCmn5EKJgCDQaVO0GvgnCTkUGLeycnsAeNRbrFwneXfPTLtEqCgcMazjSHe0wlPvPae03NV1mA6B9rWjC8ZAqGENey4B6NWUDB/s1600/fishing+on+the+canal_2957W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQqkvRuhC7C_fS-bZOVU35yLFZTxbPKS1Bpnoa8m86orCmn5EKJgCDQaVO0GvgnCTkUGLeycnsAeNRbrFwneXfPTLtEqCgcMazjSHe0wlPvPae03NV1mA6B9rWjC8ZAqGENey4B6NWUDB/s320/fishing+on+the+canal_2957W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking West</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNLMD3alAy3k_CqZjINNfRu6Dz64z1BDa0YQLHx79IySbxgiNtMuOy62JG_iXMD7iHdBdqU_P2raERYl4u-3chT3_pCaegndgdesbxT787cbNX9t2q-yfjDEGJ-su8YTeIrKdImOy1V1/s1600/fishing+on+the+canal2_2958W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUNLMD3alAy3k_CqZjINNfRu6Dz64z1BDa0YQLHx79IySbxgiNtMuOy62JG_iXMD7iHdBdqU_P2raERYl4u-3chT3_pCaegndgdesbxT787cbNX9t2q-yfjDEGJ-su8YTeIrKdImOy1V1/s320/fishing+on+the+canal2_2958W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking East</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Save for a few dragonflies and an occasional butterfly but nothing I could really get close enough to to photograph although I did get some fish trying to eat something white. Probably some runaway bait or a leftover sandwich that someone couldn't finish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnAAEoM9K8skIzp1xEahGw8N_kN8n-erEALbzi0hSx9dyPj8RZDD_M9_XJ574YlPcoTSo9b3jH5Q94VqIYTGJWGhRxxRQpbLI-W0Rg4tmhevWkY-5TnfREQP1ARe_pK07zA5HCAy4s1Wq/s1600/fish_2964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnAAEoM9K8skIzp1xEahGw8N_kN8n-erEALbzi0hSx9dyPj8RZDD_M9_XJ574YlPcoTSo9b3jH5Q94VqIYTGJWGhRxxRQpbLI-W0Rg4tmhevWkY-5TnfREQP1ARe_pK07zA5HCAy4s1Wq/s320/fish_2964.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something's fishy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
OK, that over with I was ready to try to photograph the Turkey Vultures but alas they had all taken flight. I did manage to get a few flight shots, nothing great but it marks the occasion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F_L7uzatd8yXmTkAxh4tuXKyaCwMvhZLWpZkbvz4-i-vCGii1OAzKjjqwsTa4jVvOxO5LCnyUPJKQ2s32RNPWJ76KmFJ3AgsHPWJiG2O6-VuhuBO2ALYpohKwVGFR4KAeO9SFDhw0VKN/s1600/Turkey+V+in+flight_2978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F_L7uzatd8yXmTkAxh4tuXKyaCwMvhZLWpZkbvz4-i-vCGii1OAzKjjqwsTa4jVvOxO5LCnyUPJKQ2s32RNPWJ76KmFJ3AgsHPWJiG2O6-VuhuBO2ALYpohKwVGFR4KAeO9SFDhw0VKN/s320/Turkey+V+in+flight_2978.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
We drove west on Alligator Alley until we reached the Gas Station turn on US833 and headed North toward Lake Okeechobee. This road is almost like driving out in the country on Sunday afternoon. This is a two lane road. Not the usually 4 or 6 lanes that you usually see here in South Florida.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqszvcd6StnylRrIJeqtz5I1WldAjGT9SmvGtvKK8EarY0CgGeSlIznQ1eHmWBYC6q2yNnJvOFfM95dotZ-Zk2gwAKqwsNsjJbWURa5Sb8l3Y3t04ObdkO39Yyq299iawkOF9lNkrdGzJ/s1600/mirage+P1020485+(2)W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqszvcd6StnylRrIJeqtz5I1WldAjGT9SmvGtvKK8EarY0CgGeSlIznQ1eHmWBYC6q2yNnJvOFfM95dotZ-Zk2gwAKqwsNsjJbWURa5Sb8l3Y3t04ObdkO39Yyq299iawkOF9lNkrdGzJ/s320/mirage+P1020485+(2)W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country road mirage</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRclCoo6tIuiFL28R4vKdEwhnY6xXrqE5UxR08ek4v6SRvEf2vRjLHB2DggPO-8EVgQ6-XaWRY4p2KKkaBAuW8fLIRp5zr_ktyYOrGDu7vYEew5sTP8aSLRATFU9pbIhwvPhD0rSSeKYhr/s1600/Sugar+Cane+and+US+SugarP1020493+(2)Ww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRclCoo6tIuiFL28R4vKdEwhnY6xXrqE5UxR08ek4v6SRvEf2vRjLHB2DggPO-8EVgQ6-XaWRY4p2KKkaBAuW8fLIRp5zr_ktyYOrGDu7vYEew5sTP8aSLRATFU9pbIhwvPhD0rSSeKYhr/s320/Sugar+Cane+and+US+SugarP1020493+(2)Ww.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It was a nice drive with views of pasture lands and orange groves and small clusters of homes. There were horses grazing and cows laying down resting in the shade.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomRb-gI1zdJRE4mL6d_V_XhaDuns1GK8tay_qrxonY_ou9pGmE7YXFbk8ZBpYENGRgwiIei8hNGzExfCVZVKT6k2I2vvUBDBwdJJffj8f2zLVzv0y2Qi3oPTYQxtDYtgv8hLRfTvWM0Qx/s1600/horses+P1020483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomRb-gI1zdJRE4mL6d_V_XhaDuns1GK8tay_qrxonY_ou9pGmE7YXFbk8ZBpYENGRgwiIei8hNGzExfCVZVKT6k2I2vvUBDBwdJJffj8f2zLVzv0y2Qi3oPTYQxtDYtgv8hLRfTvWM0Qx/s320/horses+P1020483.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We drove along just enjoying the scenery when all of a sudden in this one section the trees were full of birds and I yelled STOP! STOP! STOP!. Why so many birds in the trees. Were they roosting? Or were they just resting? It seemed a strange site for this time of year. If it were spring then I could understand it. But why in September were all these cattle Egrets sitting in the trees?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6eygfYpRRB4ifp51oils_ZAuk2N0_h8ghFOSRLyMoo4RqEevh-9SMDR_iPm6fVt225K6u5QvUPmU3VeOGP_cbtkmH_xXHk59Ix357mcRe10BtJOSuvt95gBnulYWaW37WOVhxZvJKCH9/s1600/birds1P1020490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6eygfYpRRB4ifp51oils_ZAuk2N0_h8ghFOSRLyMoo4RqEevh-9SMDR_iPm6fVt225K6u5QvUPmU3VeOGP_cbtkmH_xXHk59Ix357mcRe10BtJOSuvt95gBnulYWaW37WOVhxZvJKCH9/s320/birds1P1020490.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egrets by the dozens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We continued to drive North without seeing much traffic except for an occasional swamp buggy or an air boat. I would hate to break down out there not sure if I would have any service on my cell phone and traffic was sparse to say the least.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXYp6kuSkpCgBKoCWjrYmxgUqrlNuziI33D9Ha2cnOElg6hUZx7EuUB6OQewLN1IPUfUJoH2Y0aGTzszPxZq-dL7g2n1JTpMHbFCie_KYwL6o7ytiweqMza0JKv5syW_9glMeHZZfo8yc/s1600/air+boat+2990+(2)W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXYp6kuSkpCgBKoCWjrYmxgUqrlNuziI33D9Ha2cnOElg6hUZx7EuUB6OQewLN1IPUfUJoH2Y0aGTzszPxZq-dL7g2n1JTpMHbFCie_KYwL6o7ytiweqMza0JKv5syW_9glMeHZZfo8yc/s320/air+boat+2990+(2)W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airboat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmiupZwMrov0cYlfxj-S2z1B3zFOEMIqrCqcMYlqF76Sgnk7hcohnnsryeOT2BduktRVqRYgZU8fBTD0c_lRNe0pbz1PHjxC1EcAAosaeDcFJFmIK4GzSuc2CYZqAGqI3c7WUt3UTNK7Z/s1600/Swamp+buggiesP1020499+(2)W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmiupZwMrov0cYlfxj-S2z1B3zFOEMIqrCqcMYlqF76Sgnk7hcohnnsryeOT2BduktRVqRYgZU8fBTD0c_lRNe0pbz1PHjxC1EcAAosaeDcFJFmIK4GzSuc2CYZqAGqI3c7WUt3UTNK7Z/s320/Swamp+buggiesP1020499+(2)W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp Buggy</td></tr>
</tbody></table> At one point we came upon a large group of Black vultures eating on something that smelled so foul we didn't hang around too long to take pictures......PeeU<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY_79HDY39k_f1pqfPdklzKwzhEpGLaxichWVMjoftaOJUFDOyjeyWXxXoME2NHOA_0OdrlimlMCrTUXD1BXD0_pai6L3Vd9hBXM3HREd4trsBa-KynC7JbItHPDXLac0ffmmMXhYWBj1/s1600/Black+Vultures+on+tree_2993W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY_79HDY39k_f1pqfPdklzKwzhEpGLaxichWVMjoftaOJUFDOyjeyWXxXoME2NHOA_0OdrlimlMCrTUXD1BXD0_pai6L3Vd9hBXM3HREd4trsBa-KynC7JbItHPDXLac0ffmmMXhYWBj1/s320/Black+Vultures+on+tree_2993W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't want to come back as a vulture.........eweeee the smell!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Before stopping at Pahokee we check out this other area and saw a little park which we didn't investigate as it was too hot and a boat ramp. Here we found a cormorant. You can just male it out at the end of the dock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFNsqq3f657x8YURs-tX06oLvboSiscMk1a_9FHx9yLmV2ohP1FIZ3dU5h02EnZPf6HIKdA-9yE1eUKUTZ0_COO4dPdc_b9olf5p1B3sroBw5SIC-WshLN3A6Z9ndvMTVvxyl3862pGtS/s1600/Boat+Ramp+P1020500+(2)W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFNsqq3f657x8YURs-tX06oLvboSiscMk1a_9FHx9yLmV2ohP1FIZ3dU5h02EnZPf6HIKdA-9yE1eUKUTZ0_COO4dPdc_b9olf5p1B3sroBw5SIC-WshLN3A6Z9ndvMTVvxyl3862pGtS/s320/Boat+Ramp+P1020500+(2)W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat Ramp - Can you find the Cormorant?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Soon we came into a more civilized area and stopped for lunch at the local hamburger joint. After a brief stop for lunch we started to head to Pahokee and Lake access.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYj19IeEaAW_twAHdWoIvL465YyvyJ3aOqRV9Os-rzi3l-t4Y5EfI6BgOHZWoVJCqAGpynoxHcL75j1_XfpNNGjS1A1TOkBOU7uFtmX-8C9FWQ0IE2cKwsXqNXd8ceGidP2lWiCmNNlAsM/s1600/pahokee+water+tower+with+Osprey_3039W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYj19IeEaAW_twAHdWoIvL465YyvyJ3aOqRV9Os-rzi3l-t4Y5EfI6BgOHZWoVJCqAGpynoxHcL75j1_XfpNNGjS1A1TOkBOU7uFtmX-8C9FWQ0IE2cKwsXqNXd8ceGidP2lWiCmNNlAsM/s320/pahokee+water+tower+with+Osprey_3039W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pahokee Water Tower - Where's the Osprey?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was disappointed in our stop here as things have changed since my last visit. There use to be a lookout tower here and it is gone. I remember climbing to the top. Not an easy job but I did it. Also the area that we used to pull over next to the water has been turned into a private camp ground the dock area is closed to the public and turned into some kind of yacht club with out the yachts.......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidT_YQLAxic21VE5uQzdlkyy0rM6in2juGjJN_g-tg-8OCxfVM9t2EpDg6eJknYk2R5aJvCbNHh-TxlLDUSxa5BdebU56w6V79T0IfvDNfP8LSz6wx8lshGXG9VuPa1I_0eyDtNs9_YBCp/s1600/boats+P1020505+(2)W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidT_YQLAxic21VE5uQzdlkyy0rM6in2juGjJN_g-tg-8OCxfVM9t2EpDg6eJknYk2R5aJvCbNHh-TxlLDUSxa5BdebU56w6V79T0IfvDNfP8LSz6wx8lshGXG9VuPa1I_0eyDtNs9_YBCp/s320/boats+P1020505+(2)W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moored Boats </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although the public can't enjoy the dock area the Gulls are taking advantage of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfU6LRRPA_nw5XlEx3veHMOsoH4Hqk2Z12S-ty95nrn2BsaU-MS8xybUW4foR-r8RjxJbUkYVbSe-sAGexY-izK33bWdze4BiFz1iGzxwh6lVjxphRnlFFXf161NXqhTFFQemZscBvyzb8/s1600/sea+gulls_3021W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfU6LRRPA_nw5XlEx3veHMOsoH4Hqk2Z12S-ty95nrn2BsaU-MS8xybUW4foR-r8RjxJbUkYVbSe-sAGexY-izK33bWdze4BiFz1iGzxwh6lVjxphRnlFFXf161NXqhTFFQemZscBvyzb8/s320/sea+gulls_3021W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulls on the docks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One can not really capture the vastness of this lake, but take my word for it it is huge. As far as the eye can see it's water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XpFKctiRO2ggVVIXrcVAxc4AcSxDFZCP8ajZZEBewDr3CTs80OKvmrtWf_rIT-HTOg0TsYo0NlvxEQSU9J6leDN6l3IAu_sM5Cz2_POPZNX2mkrVzF8hjnifC9_5ArIU6b2LJMm4NS1Z/s1600/Lake+okeechobeeP1020503+(2)W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XpFKctiRO2ggVVIXrcVAxc4AcSxDFZCP8ajZZEBewDr3CTs80OKvmrtWf_rIT-HTOg0TsYo0NlvxEQSU9J6leDN6l3IAu_sM5Cz2_POPZNX2mkrVzF8hjnifC9_5ArIU6b2LJMm4NS1Z/s320/Lake+okeechobeeP1020503+(2)W.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Okeechobee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3Kpfo6ot0nsD03sD3Fpuzs1W0TKXd_F_4q8apOfjMHG9RKPnHqrL9hHKJI7xuza12C4oLLQoBSbWedqB4v680-x7YQQGZsxGpj3no1GpvyR6cxhuJRfc3HOpo4h6kslQfTuM6oDD3Efl/s1600/looking+toward+the+docksP1020504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3Kpfo6ot0nsD03sD3Fpuzs1W0TKXd_F_4q8apOfjMHG9RKPnHqrL9hHKJI7xuza12C4oLLQoBSbWedqB4v680-x7YQQGZsxGpj3no1GpvyR6cxhuJRfc3HOpo4h6kslQfTuM6oDD3Efl/s320/looking+toward+the+docksP1020504.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Okeechobee looking toward the docks</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our originally plan called for traveling all the way around the lake but by this time it was late afternoon and we had just begun. so we called it good and headed for Rt. 27 and home. On the way home we hit some rain showers as well as lots of flycatchers hawking bugs brought out by the rain. Sometimes these birds would just miss hitting out car and there were sooo many of them flying fast and furious. It was a little scary and I didn't want them to get hit but also at the same time fun to see them in action and to be surrounded by so many of them. (no pictures they fly way too fast for me)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8ALwPAe8a-39ZUF1XD_apa9TGRZK56OR0nyeFYqeQImlPM60zdZlhex2XLpV4c2kZh_NG8hHVb0FRy4-mukgSK6tfHT6wqs1IuuRRvX1f9FQ36_Q-Crp9wFH9lDjr2SYXY38BzRUeSBX/s1600/rain+is+coming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8ALwPAe8a-39ZUF1XD_apa9TGRZK56OR0nyeFYqeQImlPM60zdZlhex2XLpV4c2kZh_NG8hHVb0FRy4-mukgSK6tfHT6wqs1IuuRRvX1f9FQ36_Q-Crp9wFH9lDjr2SYXY38BzRUeSBX/s320/rain+is+coming.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain is coming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yNvpYe533l3J-iLGmL3KELFn_xqntrl6Mzw3BEnYLgQbDdxVkfms_tCUx2R0IwtrUJYu54FXaUeK5s5GM6p896r96MJQUEsRlW4PwayUuMMvLxq-vb1pTejmWkgZb31m652nZ_YM6kUo/s1600/showers+over+the+sugarcaneP1020515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yNvpYe533l3J-iLGmL3KELFn_xqntrl6Mzw3BEnYLgQbDdxVkfms_tCUx2R0IwtrUJYu54FXaUeK5s5GM6p896r96MJQUEsRlW4PwayUuMMvLxq-vb1pTejmWkgZb31m652nZ_YM6kUo/s320/showers+over+the+sugarcaneP1020515.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm over the Sugarcane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR6Z7kbsrvgdttXLZIWNicej1t4a-mx7NVT_OCig7IXmhZ_KK4YeFVYxD_Ciyrcs1dP7FX32rq-dAuDdc8UVoEz9i6DUoOHfPYLBZngL9o9OD0SfY_f3QMUFI1As84t0FssQ7YAYS6w2L/s1600/getting+closer+to+home+now+P1020527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR6Z7kbsrvgdttXLZIWNicej1t4a-mx7NVT_OCig7IXmhZ_KK4YeFVYxD_Ciyrcs1dP7FX32rq-dAuDdc8UVoEz9i6DUoOHfPYLBZngL9o9OD0SfY_f3QMUFI1As84t0FssQ7YAYS6w2L/s320/getting+closer+to+home+now+P1020527.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting closer to home</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLMoawDDHuQflfS9OdyoKNlFMWO_MzCjvv8vJNQ9PAIuMoCJE_buBCmDbcUm6LqgI5B3nzriT5V4rg-EWCsVdI4reRuQJ5uFbHlNy4xKX0mS_KuStmMJ24yNu77CPokrvA5F7jDgGS7eU/s1600/Traffic+Traffic+everywhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLMoawDDHuQflfS9OdyoKNlFMWO_MzCjvv8vJNQ9PAIuMoCJE_buBCmDbcUm6LqgI5B3nzriT5V4rg-EWCsVdI4reRuQJ5uFbHlNy4xKX0mS_KuStmMJ24yNu77CPokrvA5F7jDgGS7eU/s320/Traffic+Traffic+everywhere.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic, Traffic, everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdNhgY_-YG7VTi9g0EpEPmbQapiJx2Vz0qD8abK-60hfvtrGM7roLsq-Q4QPtqhW8GqdEO_NUNNcn_6nnx4-lHOidoQuTvYZf-NcQRg1K-CwNr7uXBl3nYHyeg080S6mOEf_ER7yHfVVk/s1600/The+endP1020472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdNhgY_-YG7VTi9g0EpEPmbQapiJx2Vz0qD8abK-60hfvtrGM7roLsq-Q4QPtqhW8GqdEO_NUNNcn_6nnx4-lHOidoQuTvYZf-NcQRg1K-CwNr7uXBl3nYHyeg080S6mOEf_ER7yHfVVk/s320/The+endP1020472.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of a perfect day!</td></tr>
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</div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-45620434900259300792010-07-25T19:54:00.002-04:002017-01-18T19:32:21.155-05:00Last HurrahWell at least till the cooler weather comes back. It is way too warm already. We had a cold winter and now it looks like it will be an early and very warm summer. That's OK I have plenty to keep me busy inside and I will probably find a topic or two to write about as well. But this Blog is about our last hurrah or our last birding trip at least until the cooler weather returns.<br />
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My plans this particular weekend were to just hang out at home and rest up a little but after doing the grocery shopping, I kind of got this nagging feeling to get out and look for some birds. So when I got home I said let's pack up and take off for the weekend so we did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk6yFSYfrubwgeumEWgt-Xq8y428mhXlYhd-z6woUyXLMDUCRc-j6oyOj6ysPWIItiKSkVljx-YczY3AOI-4LeLD8rJPfzgnftNECXc5SOSy_EHbtqxBG4zdUDPnasrWeuCiSgJi5QFWw/s1600/boardwalk+to+the+beach2427+W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk6yFSYfrubwgeumEWgt-Xq8y428mhXlYhd-z6woUyXLMDUCRc-j6oyOj6ysPWIItiKSkVljx-YczY3AOI-4LeLD8rJPfzgnftNECXc5SOSy_EHbtqxBG4zdUDPnasrWeuCiSgJi5QFWw/s320/boardwalk+to+the+beach2427+W.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We headed North pushing our way up the coast till we got to the Daytona Area. I wanted to go back to Ponce Inlet to check it out for shorebirds as it had been so productive when I was there earlier in the year and I had read about some terns nesting on one of the birding lists so we went.<br />
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Well when we got there late afternoon on Saturday there were cars everywhere. What was going on I wondered. Well a wedding for one and it was super warm, so the beach goers were there and their cars along with them. We did find a parking space and did walk down to the beach but there were more people then birds on the beach that day. We walked the boardwalk but still didn't see to much in the way of birds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-OiZSq0dvwyye-yqVTzwggG2q2S8W14vxyio4fMK0JZD0A-uNeCJLE3LE9rYxpwCWXKVw4kypzh4yf3oyV1azhMHsYY-ZpKvn0tD2VQqGuyDx1RpcKQQxyshK-gHfsaf5-ntFV7qukap/s1600/boardwalk+to+the+beachP1020060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-OiZSq0dvwyye-yqVTzwggG2q2S8W14vxyio4fMK0JZD0A-uNeCJLE3LE9rYxpwCWXKVw4kypzh4yf3oyV1azhMHsYY-ZpKvn0tD2VQqGuyDx1RpcKQQxyshK-gHfsaf5-ntFV7qukap/s200/boardwalk+to+the+beachP1020060.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLDLFLSFuDdJ-LTph6IcbxlwyJAvd-tNqMdSe02MNTTIzfY3H5pQKK4QV4Gi54cypH7Fl8okLhk9tiIgBtMUh1oeNKcDrrYsOAKhsfdLvEP7VdcC7JALP_rtXcaDUmrDb-9O0EHQiLWCU/s1600/cars+and+beach_2403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLDLFLSFuDdJ-LTph6IcbxlwyJAvd-tNqMdSe02MNTTIzfY3H5pQKK4QV4Gi54cypH7Fl8okLhk9tiIgBtMUh1oeNKcDrrYsOAKhsfdLvEP7VdcC7JALP_rtXcaDUmrDb-9O0EHQiLWCU/s200/cars+and+beach_2403.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblXzOPvuG5dzDi6HV9P3kYTMOkefMPkAPkKZmfROlO7tE-0p-BJvABvZ6ebLTSZG5fG-8hUc4otPF9ZwMArTczZ1vXjxZBzoLMx76tIB08e0Fe9YHb8_YW5Fo6ewKcVv8zENSCOQ6Sc8R/s1600/Pelicans+flying+over+the+condos2418+W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblXzOPvuG5dzDi6HV9P3kYTMOkefMPkAPkKZmfROlO7tE-0p-BJvABvZ6ebLTSZG5fG-8hUc4otPF9ZwMArTczZ1vXjxZBzoLMx76tIB08e0Fe9YHb8_YW5Fo6ewKcVv8zENSCOQ6Sc8R/s200/Pelicans+flying+over+the+condos2418+W.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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A couple of Brown Pelicans flying along the inlet, a Morning Dove or two in the dunes and a Tern or two, too far out for me to ID. We did see other interesting things such as Gopher Tortoises slowly prodding along in the sand while picnickers were unaware they were even there.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW5PwlTKEMxHxo-5f4_Yj-9-cj51NoB4gNptCwbiy9phKcNHIbFNN34tEwpgaGwzBjN57dUkUanGZqxpAX6msZoDnUW8d7lslEaH_gbfiSVpx4WJei-3wCM96Jwue2l17YOI6Sw4j5nJy/s1600/morning+dove_2368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW5PwlTKEMxHxo-5f4_Yj-9-cj51NoB4gNptCwbiy9phKcNHIbFNN34tEwpgaGwzBjN57dUkUanGZqxpAX6msZoDnUW8d7lslEaH_gbfiSVpx4WJei-3wCM96Jwue2l17YOI6Sw4j5nJy/s200/morning+dove_2368.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The sand dunes held my interest as did the views of Ponce Inlet Lighthouse always a favorite. There were what I thought were crab parts in the sand that the ants were picnicking on that upon closer inspection I discovered were just pieces of bread. Guess these old eyes just aren't what they use to be. There were also Cactus blooming in the dunes though I couldn't get close enough for a good shot.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwZBkSYBtPc7wu9d3BV2Kx38NZm0beyVYpP9qsX62avQZ0oL_YhweOtSUI6ZmvXkmjhymxtishQcbTiB_UJ_y-KwBg4ZnVdi9DnHFYQEd_rXgainerNNqdrz9CK0AfQruoBL1YRngqlHh/s1600/Little+turtle+2423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwZBkSYBtPc7wu9d3BV2Kx38NZm0beyVYpP9qsX62avQZ0oL_YhweOtSUI6ZmvXkmjhymxtishQcbTiB_UJ_y-KwBg4ZnVdi9DnHFYQEd_rXgainerNNqdrz9CK0AfQruoBL1YRngqlHh/s200/Little+turtle+2423.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
It was getting late now so we needed to make up our minds what we were going to do next. We could get a hotel on the beach and spend the night and hit the inlet again in the morning early or go west young man go west. So heading west won out, the plan was to find a place to stay near Blue Springs then go there in the morning and do the boat ride on the river. I had enjoyed the trip the first time I went and was looking forward to doing it again.<br />
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We found a place to stay and found a place to eat after which we headed back to the hotel and began preparing the equipment for the next day and reviewing what we had shot today.<br />
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Sunday we woke early and went downstairs to eat the complimentary breakfast. I had brought yogurt with me so just fixed a bowl with some cereal and mixed my yogurt into it and got a piece of fruit and a cup of tea and I was good to go. So off we went.<br />
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We made a few right turns and a few left turns and were soon out in the country and by this time I was completely lost. Soon though we did find the little gift shop there and we thought they might have a map of the area. Unfortunately they were not open after all it was not quite 7 am. But we did find some info about the area and a rough drawn map. So we drove down the road a little ways and parked the car. Got our cameras and off we went.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzd6JTt-XyV3CRoC739xTsYo4V50LEtyOaQrik3M_S3z6sNV1SB6ngjK952oAcg_4xu-f5S-7sBBv8RUry-bNyY6Pafs-kbrh89A2bo_18oKqJwhgOH_YT3u8dl0VEqA773ZqSlkmbPFE8/s1600/morning+light+wetlandP1020084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzd6JTt-XyV3CRoC739xTsYo4V50LEtyOaQrik3M_S3z6sNV1SB6ngjK952oAcg_4xu-f5S-7sBBv8RUry-bNyY6Pafs-kbrh89A2bo_18oKqJwhgOH_YT3u8dl0VEqA773ZqSlkmbPFE8/s200/morning+light+wetlandP1020084.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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We walked what looked like and old road threw some trees and came out on a wetland prairie. What a view boy I think I was so awe struck I didn't get any pictures of that view but did get others as we walked in search for wildlife. I think I was struck more by what I was seeing because it wasn't what I had expected to see in this wooded area I had been driving around in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoAbzH7kQAlWDViDefC6fAfOzXDnP35-nwSbC4BF_19fjbMky-u1xTbFyaKtoBm4aZQ0a_nlPnKMbdAkpFP-PX0PgHEbkqYHysUvcPvcB217ocpZ_Oz_Rkc_eOY6PyzdCoEqtI6Wjue8D/s1600/I+love+thistle+plants_2489+W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoAbzH7kQAlWDViDefC6fAfOzXDnP35-nwSbC4BF_19fjbMky-u1xTbFyaKtoBm4aZQ0a_nlPnKMbdAkpFP-PX0PgHEbkqYHysUvcPvcB217ocpZ_Oz_Rkc_eOY6PyzdCoEqtI6Wjue8D/s200/I+love+thistle+plants_2489+W.jpg" width="200" /></a>It appeared as first a small wetland just beyond the tree then a more vast wetland as we walked further up the path. We could have gone further west but chose to turn right and headed north. At the next intersection the west path was shut down so we climbed the tower to look out over the area and listened to the Sandhill cranes out on the prairie but could not see them. Later we did see one sitting an a nest. We turned right again and finally ended up back a the beginning.<br />
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One of the highlight of this trip was a lifer. (a Bobolink) I really didn't expect to get any lifers out here and was thrilled. this bird was heard before it was seen. It played hard to get for a long time before it finally showed it self. Then when it did I couldn't take my eye off of it ans was so nervous that most of the shots I took didn't come out that great. But they are good enough for and ID and that was what was important.<br />
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We were just moving slowly and enjoying the sites that surrounded us as we walked back to where the car was parked. I was photographing so white flowers when all of a sudden a bird flies straight over my head barely missing me. It flew into the brush on the other side of the path, so we quietly and slowly went to investigate and soon located the hawk. What a handsome creature he was. Don't you think so?<br />
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This actually turned out to be a great little trip, we saw quite a few birds, lots of dragonflies & Butterflies and tons of wildflowers, several alligators and a snake.<br />
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On the way home we stopped at Merritt Island and of course saw a few more birds. Driving Black Point Drive we saw the usual herons and egrets as well as an Osprey, a few Red-winged Blackbirds, a handsome Reddish Egret in breeding plumage, several Blacked Necked Stilts and a real treat for me was a Black-bellied Plover in breeding plumage. As we were leaving the drive we go to see a few Black Vultures having a meal on a dead alligator. What a wonderful treat to see this little bit of nature in action. The vultures were very calm and allowed me to get a couple of portrait shots.<br />
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I love Merritt Island no matter what time of year. There is always something around whether it be bird, butterflies, dragonflies, pretty wildflowers or some other type of wildlife like wild boars, alligators, or river otters. I hear there is also a large cat but I have yet to see it. Just a matter of being in the right place at the right time...................smile.<br />
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Birds seen on this trip Green Heron, Great Egrets, Wood-storks, Sandhill Cranes, Little blues both juvenile and adult. Tricolor Egrets, Glossy, White, and one white faces Ibis, Osprey, Black Vultures, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Killdeer, Brown Pelicans,Reddish egret. Bobolink, Red shouldered Hawk, Moorhen, Great Blue Herons, Yellowlegs, Black-bellied plovers, unidentified Terns, and Morning doves.<br />
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Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-31520298588938663152010-03-01T21:13:00.003-05:002010-03-02T10:19:13.037-05:00Yikes, I'm a chaser!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now how did this happen? Am I on my way to becoming a "Twitcher"? What's a chaser you ask? Well the answer to that is in an older post entitled "What Kind of Birder are You?"<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;">"Twitcher’s they say are passionate birders actively seeking to add more and more birds to their life lists, and they may travel extensively when rare or unusual birds are reported. The Twitchers I have been in contact with often keep more than one checklist. They may keep seasonal lists, state lists and county lists etc., etc. Now I did try this but I just can’t keep up with them. Not me not at this time in my life. Now while I do enjoy finding new birds I don’t go out of my way nor do I travel great distances to see a rare bird, although I did travel to WA to go birding OK so it wasn't all for the birding............ If I am going to be in the area or if it is some where I can get to easily I might try for it."</span></i></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Well guess I am safe for now as I still don't keep all those lists though it does cross my mind occasionally. OK, so maybe this started when I went to Gainesville to see the large flock of Sandhill Cranes there. Now the Sandhills were already on my life list, so I was not chasing to add to my list, I just wanted to see this extremely large gathering of them. (It was an amazing site!) Although two whooping cranes had been seen amongst the Sandhills, so that would certainly add to my list, and there was that sparrow that everyone was hoping to see and add to their list. But the Sandhills were the main reason for my going anything else would be icing on the cake or perhaps I should say feathers in my nest. Oh and I did get to see the 2 Whooping Cranes but not the sparrow though I did add a couple of other sparrows to my list. And in my defense I wasn't really chasing birds I was on a birding vacation. Birding Vacations don't count as chasing. Right?</b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSuUfQlbIAkPOZeK6xxaqA8raz1WWNXMXKywd0U8ru2vhsRxptMAvLjE5fS4oI02BAhllG4Xy2_9adT4wq0kAqwrdWjAu4TQ5xTeng7rn8GbcGS9elvvDEBS4J12TUhLCPHmq2tArKjDw/s1600-h/whoopers6192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSuUfQlbIAkPOZeK6xxaqA8raz1WWNXMXKywd0U8ru2vhsRxptMAvLjE5fS4oI02BAhllG4Xy2_9adT4wq0kAqwrdWjAu4TQ5xTeng7rn8GbcGS9elvvDEBS4J12TUhLCPHmq2tArKjDw/s320/whoopers6192.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>I did go chase once prior to this but it was actually in the town I lived in so does that really count. I got lucky and only had to try once and got to see it on the first time. And it was so worth the time spent to see this rare visitor, but, had not done it again until this year and something must have got loose inside me as I have been chasing one bird after the other all year so far.</b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>First was the Pelagic Birding trip. Birding on the ocean.....hummmmmmmmm as if there weren't enough birds on land. Oh well, some birds don't ever come ashore although some seem to be driven inland when the weather is bad out over the ocean. I added several birds on that trip. Well that was more of a birding trip,,,,,,,,,,,wouldn't you say? So I wasn't really chasing was I? 11</b> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">lifers added</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZRiIk83NYATSXNcN7KLTQuG6ipRuJYwfTMV7STyLxJ_mpDcrt2Ta42yopHzUcq9LSlWm6owed_XrTf4klugSAkYNIuu6inajTuZB0ni6w0UG2z-lppbHwJklGdHfE4LES1KXIH1Xz4Ao/s1600-h/corys+shearwater_7591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZRiIk83NYATSXNcN7KLTQuG6ipRuJYwfTMV7STyLxJ_mpDcrt2Ta42yopHzUcq9LSlWm6owed_XrTf4klugSAkYNIuu6inajTuZB0ni6w0UG2z-lppbHwJklGdHfE4LES1KXIH1Xz4Ao/s320/corys+shearwater_7591.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Then came the Masked Duck at Viera Wetlands. Yup, I got that one, and yes I went specifically for that bird although I did combine it with a trip to Merritt Island. But the main purpose of the trip was to chase down this one bird and add it to my list. Heck I even got a bonus and Ruddy Duck. Two for the price of one. Yahoo! This was in January</b>. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2 lifers added</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjhdytO_ezTfmrtgspdNXsVZmqDwYuh3Fc8VridUuUdK6kyTRSFwJ4TRfxOpu9Ga1VKQmNBEZMkFC5dLNr1etZT1rS2yHffHHmTtt9I9UmywD3V68Z1AGbC0AVQwT5hiLegdpAmVpFJNg/s1600-h/masked+duck_8815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjhdytO_ezTfmrtgspdNXsVZmqDwYuh3Fc8VridUuUdK6kyTRSFwJ4TRfxOpu9Ga1VKQmNBEZMkFC5dLNr1etZT1rS2yHffHHmTtt9I9UmywD3V68Z1AGbC0AVQwT5hiLegdpAmVpFJNg/s320/masked+duck_8815.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>Next was the Harlequin Duck at Sebastian Inlet. There was also a Purple Sandpiper. Now I got the Duck but missed out on the Sandpiper. Although I missed the Purple Sandpiper. I did get a Common Merganser and some great looks at a Willet which I had only see from a distance and through binoculars previously. So that was a bonus. Plus I got to meet & talk to a couple of fellow birders. That's always a treat.</b> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2 more lifers added</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA76BoE242FrwaYOhCelkKquTTSVApQPtGVEWP132UZqn1GKgI4lU3hXB5CpwnVAOPvnHrq0pdhTmX9IPi8ws17DtBHxOiFDqzKHm5yjcBJM5W7OYUDY4Pp9AJMv_axjKRN-s2dndgYQF/s1600-h/Harlequin+Duck_9388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA76BoE242FrwaYOhCelkKquTTSVApQPtGVEWP132UZqn1GKgI4lU3hXB5CpwnVAOPvnHrq0pdhTmX9IPi8ws17DtBHxOiFDqzKHm5yjcBJM5W7OYUDY4Pp9AJMv_axjKRN-s2dndgYQF/s320/Harlequin+Duck_9388.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">T<b>he following Saturday found me traveling across the state to get a look at the Shiny cowbirds and looks is all I got. Silly birds just didn't want to be photographed. Every time I tried all the birds feeding on the ground picked up and flew away all at the same time leaving only the Mourning Doves on the ground. Well that's OK I got to see them and got to add them to my life list.</b> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1 lifer adde</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">d</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>On Sunday I was once again heading north. This time to Green Cay wetlands in Delray in hot pursuit of the Black-throated Gray Warbler, this time I was not successful. This one guy from NJ said he spotted it about a half hour after I got tired of walking around looking for it and went in and walked the boardwalk. When I came out all the little Pine Warblers the Black-throated Gray had been seen with were there but I could not find the one warbler I was looking for. I did find 2 Black & White Warblers but not the Black-throated Gray............. </b></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">zero lifers added</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>So what happened, when did I turn into a chaser? Can Twitching be far behind??</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 18px;"><b> </b></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>This week I am not going anywhere.................I am not going to chase after any birds................This weekend I will rest, take my car into the shop for its checkup, and do a little housework. Then maybe next weekend I might go birding just birding not chasing ..................unless............................smile. Yup I'm a chaser. </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">16 lifers in 2 months</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">, <b>hey, not too shabby.........huh?</b></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>I just got word that the Purple Sandpiper was spotted today along with a Marbled Godwit, the Harlequin Duck and a Snowy Plover. Guess I need to go back to Sebastian. Oh well the housework will be there when I get back. Here I go again....</b>.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">hehehe</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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</div></span></span>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-40008188654165465572010-02-17T20:44:00.000-05:002010-02-17T20:44:58.794-05:00Still Birding On a Whim.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">There have been reports for a little while now about a Harlequin Duck at the Sebastian Inlet State Park and it is about 2.5 to 3 hours drive depending on traffic but I have been wanting to try for it. I have been watching the postings and someone posted on Friday that they had had good looks at this duck without a scope so I decided to try for it as long as the weather held out. I was a little concerned as to what the traffic coming home would be like what with all the Super bowl game traffic, so decided it might be best to go for it on Saturday that way I wouldn't hit all the Florida foot ball traffic coming home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR3FZ4Km_dqUAaR3hY_PVIGMRzNkfWCqFPy8DrLYZL7JXv5JIdc4RyLBOhZin3mikwoowaAB8wXnQx5rxgc_R55OUOxj7mf97oOkWgOv3Kf6rSX1h_VMAhua7u7yBxefdhyrWVaOBgHFG/s1600-h/SISP+9580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR3FZ4Km_dqUAaR3hY_PVIGMRzNkfWCqFPy8DrLYZL7JXv5JIdc4RyLBOhZin3mikwoowaAB8wXnQx5rxgc_R55OUOxj7mf97oOkWgOv3Kf6rSX1h_VMAhua7u7yBxefdhyrWVaOBgHFG/s320/SISP+9580.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">So before it turned light on Saturday morning my son and I were off and running. We packed the car with cameras, bins and a picnic lunch and off we went. No morning rain as predicted by the weather man but it was very cloudy, though it eventually changed and the blue skies and sunshine were the order of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We were in such a rush to leave that morning that I forgot the directions I had downloaded and printed out a few days before. Well, I said, I remember seeing a big sign for it off 95 so was I certain we would find it. Then as we got closer my son asked me was it the Fellsmere/Sebastian exit we needed. "I don't know" I said. So I just whipped out my I-phone and hit the maps app and punched in Sebastian Inlet State Park and it (the phone) pickup up our location and guided us right to the park. Ain't Technology Grand!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMU3DAIIjkBVLT0FRTZlK_u0o9fTqTHQrHCvdwKQ3gybTU_FMBMSGG1cJmw0EziKs_7yZk9Zjc9NS0xHtguPHv7fq2eGsseHawbvhAsQ8qffuoMUETOctNkFknvmkk6o3H99gMRZLGMi9/s1600-h/birds+on+the+rocks_9500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMU3DAIIjkBVLT0FRTZlK_u0o9fTqTHQrHCvdwKQ3gybTU_FMBMSGG1cJmw0EziKs_7yZk9Zjc9NS0xHtguPHv7fq2eGsseHawbvhAsQ8qffuoMUETOctNkFknvmkk6o3H99gMRZLGMi9/s320/birds+on+the+rocks_9500.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We got to the park and paid our fee $8.00 for the car. We parked right next to the river and got out and started scanning for the duck. There were lots of birds on the other side of the river and the rocks too were loaded with Anhingas, Cormorants and Brown Pelicans. There were two women to my left and they both had scopes. Something I want to get for sure. One woman was actively scanning then she said I've got the purple Sandpiper and the other lady said good for you and she looked at it through the scope. I wanted to ask if I could look but was hesitant and not sure I should ask. I waited a little then struck up a conversation with the women. One named Phylis and the other named Marilyn (from Maryland). Very nice ladies and as I was talking to Marilyn, Phylis had a Caspian Tern in her scope so Marilyn went to take a look then I was asked if I would like to look so I said yes and got a nice look. I already had this Tern on my life list but still appreciated the offer.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxbaxf0KYfhWzLdnEJDQp90FQijmH42EbkkSn_DZh_2udxgTymDDkrwLv589EGI8IJmhoKe4Dci0LCT4Eq5wd17mltHhuFzSSmcgWafVF-FFHU6TwEPWtM6gTSr_K9kJxCtWR_77YpncM/s1600-h/spooked+birds_9439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxbaxf0KYfhWzLdnEJDQp90FQijmH42EbkkSn_DZh_2udxgTymDDkrwLv589EGI8IJmhoKe4Dci0LCT4Eq5wd17mltHhuFzSSmcgWafVF-FFHU6TwEPWtM6gTSr_K9kJxCtWR_77YpncM/s320/spooked+birds_9439.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> The next thing we spot the Harlequin Duck fly by upstream and quite close to shore. So off we went to see if we could get a closer look. I had to climb up on the bank to see down into the water from where we were but did manage to get good looks of this lifer and a couple of fair looking pictures. The trouble there was the winds were blowing quite hard in fact they caused me to loose my footing a couple of times so between the winds and the constantly moving Harlequin Duck I was happy with the shots I did manage to get. We watched the winds blow the duck away and waited for it to fly back up but he didn't he flew back to where we started from and the two women were waving us over not realizing we had gotten our looks. So I walked back just in time to see the duck fly away. I didn't care I had got what I wanted. Now I wanted to explore the park. So off we went to find whatever wonders this park held.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkDX12wuI-7JOgiCdbDOIJZdzX0HbBBEQQBr7VGinaz733VCSe2UjUThrjEiWPOZpggKBQebhpOHnMIZthj3uE62bipf2-f3XhCKHH1b0R8XQTHxuBGjhEyNr2V9-adUxmUBrmRIhpCzq/s1600-h/Harlequin+Duck_9388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkDX12wuI-7JOgiCdbDOIJZdzX0HbBBEQQBr7VGinaz733VCSe2UjUThrjEiWPOZpggKBQebhpOHnMIZthj3uE62bipf2-f3XhCKHH1b0R8XQTHxuBGjhEyNr2V9-adUxmUBrmRIhpCzq/s320/Harlequin+Duck_9388.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">At first it seemed like we wouldn't spot anything as we walk the bank but soon little several little orange legged and calico patterned bodies appeared. They seemed to be all over the place happily walking along turning over stones and other debris in search of tiny tasty morsels. So intent were they on their search they didn't spot me at first when they began to walk in front of me then their little legs started running until they were well past us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjm_UVMGLLi_glHeKWiWrNZLgy2qV1wS7PGp4KFH6hO21rCaIQ9PO8d_LB5vLtPCDGw48yhg1N2aTYDUp4sJUHeDTRTn901ELwPvpAYfBOjl1ZuxpWNjoGb6f3xLAtYxrxj1gYLeVOAjq/s1600-h/Ruddy+Turnstone9404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjm_UVMGLLi_glHeKWiWrNZLgy2qV1wS7PGp4KFH6hO21rCaIQ9PO8d_LB5vLtPCDGw48yhg1N2aTYDUp4sJUHeDTRTn901ELwPvpAYfBOjl1ZuxpWNjoGb6f3xLAtYxrxj1gYLeVOAjq/s320/Ruddy+Turnstone9404.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We moved on toward this little rock outcropping that was covered with Brown Pelicans of all ages and molts. I really enjoy watching these guys fish but this morning they must have already had their fill as they were content to laze around on the rocks in the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP168Sm91ujiMO3LS2DhCJGAxCDr3UyeCZFBdYRbrJjLo1QZWV8YpjLDYneSMjNYMgUQPigfHG7uK4nFW5DFUqPt62kiQsqnMG63Dr0W_CO8whEb92hvKyrCkv7P3fW2GSBCL6NcyJdwv/s1600-h/pelicans9410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP168Sm91ujiMO3LS2DhCJGAxCDr3UyeCZFBdYRbrJjLo1QZWV8YpjLDYneSMjNYMgUQPigfHG7uK4nFW5DFUqPt62kiQsqnMG63Dr0W_CO8whEb92hvKyrCkv7P3fW2GSBCL6NcyJdwv/s320/pelicans9410.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We had also spotted a large group of Wood Storks and we were working our way toward them when all of a sudden they took flight. The reason being a little boy was running at them and making them fly away. Apparently the adults with him thought that was acceptable play. I did shout at him to stop and then one of the adults called to him. Of course by that time they had all scattered. A few had flown over by us but were quickly dispersed by a couple walking their dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrdqwDDzO51t4TwVne3swrlrrHv1x-g3S1dUk0nXUv0BfQ94IPO8MAbD_B7Z0MnlKpqfUC43iOYXW4P36GpTjCLtpe1clj4mhpd4u2hEE5gajFHIwmjUxAkOVWjpCSxFtiXMGOseBDTMt/s1600-h/Wood+Stork_9419W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrdqwDDzO51t4TwVne3swrlrrHv1x-g3S1dUk0nXUv0BfQ94IPO8MAbD_B7Z0MnlKpqfUC43iOYXW4P36GpTjCLtpe1clj4mhpd4u2hEE5gajFHIwmjUxAkOVWjpCSxFtiXMGOseBDTMt/s320/Wood+Stork_9419W.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> At this time we decided to move back toward where we had started, the plan being to walk out toward the jetties to see what we could see there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Out on the jetty we saw more Ruddy Turnstones, a few terns and a gull or two but not much more. I was watching this one Turnstone and noticed it was hopping along and looked closer and it was missing a foot and there was a piece of line or string of some kind wrapped around the remaining part of the leg. This of course made me sad and then a little sadder as I took this picture. I wanted to somehow get down too him and help him but knew I wouldn't be able to capture him and would only stress him out, so I walked away and left him to care for himself the best he could, then we drove over to the other side and spent time looking at birds over there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5lkIwZlG4aznhp30xikljyI3aa-jUe6Y-KK38OCUnVlc8dTlS-WpfjvUt1PxdNL45E-3E5UKDl6uubRKVRYAeDFRw3Lv-ETSIJU_Re7sXNY7zM4EyzTUdIFC4X8A8C9NEwbgRIWcbvb3/s1600-h/taking+shelter_9477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5lkIwZlG4aznhp30xikljyI3aa-jUe6Y-KK38OCUnVlc8dTlS-WpfjvUt1PxdNL45E-3E5UKDl6uubRKVRYAeDFRw3Lv-ETSIJU_Re7sXNY7zM4EyzTUdIFC4X8A8C9NEwbgRIWcbvb3/s320/taking+shelter_9477.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">There we saw Lots of gulls & Terns, Black Skimmers and some Sanderlings at least that's what I think they were such cute little birds. We saw a Snowy Egret, a Great Egret, Willet and a Reddish Egret. I just love watching this Egret dance and fish.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">After walking the beaches and the jetties on the North side we decided to drive down a little ways to where we had seen some picnic tables and check out that area. We ate lunch in the car while watching the activity on the water. It was way too cold & windy to eat on the picnic tables outside. This is where we saw the Little Sanderlings and the Reddish Egret. I was searching the rocks for the Purple Sandpiper but to no avail. Darn I had really hoped to see this one. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qYYFn-zFJdenEJ8gJndAUg-zM0m0nQZWaArGNpAaw1Ft-KNbciMmiixV-CFb2Werius7KDMhYTXWlaLUHAk-nnKM8cIZ9UGieypblhZmnq9xR7wN4IxmlAq3AIoDTdFVkRe-t0084NDg/s1600-h/sisp_9582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qYYFn-zFJdenEJ8gJndAUg-zM0m0nQZWaArGNpAaw1Ft-KNbciMmiixV-CFb2Werius7KDMhYTXWlaLUHAk-nnKM8cIZ9UGieypblhZmnq9xR7wN4IxmlAq3AIoDTdFVkRe-t0084NDg/s320/sisp_9582.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">All in all it was a good birding day and I found yet another place to go and see a few birds. We also stopped at Pelican Island on the way home but really didn't see much there I suppose it just wasn't the right time of day. All in all I am glad I made the trip and I am glad too that I got to see the Harlequin Duck and add it to my life list. I also got a Common Merganser which was missing from my life list as well. So a great day birding was had and 3 nice lifers were added to my life list. Plus I got to meet some other wonderful birders. What more could I ask for.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHhHvIULobiI9Dv3cooQ6OUEe065fU8m4iEIZlRjGp211wXtpK4nT8p997A_dZiI79u3GLqq-L8t3R5rhLNWhLzh1crWAavECqPBTaafoNkixc17ddnGeUhlWRWmQVxEEe09TekKDHDiJ/s1600-h/herring+gull_9563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHhHvIULobiI9Dv3cooQ6OUEe065fU8m4iEIZlRjGp211wXtpK4nT8p997A_dZiI79u3GLqq-L8t3R5rhLNWhLzh1crWAavECqPBTaafoNkixc17ddnGeUhlWRWmQVxEEe09TekKDHDiJ/s320/herring+gull_9563.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY56AFH03Hmp-AFoOw8nBC7SZjn_Bn3XUqo1fEh3u452FX6V_YqNCvqRxOISoPAjTkOL9kCtwAB0d6uVdjZDyToE8TT0HCNUV36iWOHf4k_BdNdaoUc-lkWETZuBYAMSvVaohOnUe8Ak5/s1600-h/ring-billed+gull_9526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY56AFH03Hmp-AFoOw8nBC7SZjn_Bn3XUqo1fEh3u452FX6V_YqNCvqRxOISoPAjTkOL9kCtwAB0d6uVdjZDyToE8TT0HCNUV36iWOHf4k_BdNdaoUc-lkWETZuBYAMSvVaohOnUe8Ak5/s320/ring-billed+gull_9526.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRPodpK-cvYPDFeNTmZ9Eyhm4EzLbqVDvWVQTJeuMniQ038Xdvym1IXUQ4CeqRqkSmL2_DHQfDD0tP1rsXtt00rbQlWtJV8bMAqaINDjKRBbvbgwfZvSocyYr70Audm-EnVbN6jCcPDua/s1600-h/Elegant+Terns9446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRPodpK-cvYPDFeNTmZ9Eyhm4EzLbqVDvWVQTJeuMniQ038Xdvym1IXUQ4CeqRqkSmL2_DHQfDD0tP1rsXtt00rbQlWtJV8bMAqaINDjKRBbvbgwfZvSocyYr70Audm-EnVbN6jCcPDua/s320/Elegant+Terns9446.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-89566415099756095022010-01-24T19:00:00.020-05:002010-01-25T18:26:11.537-05:00Birding on a Whim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QaxCRy8b5kkHSWKyWuo1CzWG1YvAenGZxrUjzk3wBtwUaNLMwnU5V54OFWzHmdwvH0uwCtuyiivreVDSCzrleAhq3kt98wlvU6-rNrCU6qffchWScKfbnx9dSguJbuaKE-jloyJ1C0Tz/s1600-h/birds+at+viera_8683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QaxCRy8b5kkHSWKyWuo1CzWG1YvAenGZxrUjzk3wBtwUaNLMwnU5V54OFWzHmdwvH0uwCtuyiivreVDSCzrleAhq3kt98wlvU6-rNrCU6qffchWScKfbnx9dSguJbuaKE-jloyJ1C0Tz/s320/birds+at+viera_8683.jpg" /></a><br />
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On a whim I decided to go to Viera Wetlands to chase down the Masked Duck that had been reported there. I don't usually do these things but Viera isn't that far and it was going to be cold this weekend and Viera is a drive through place so I said "what the heck. I can bird from the comfort of my car and just maybe pick up a lifer."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rD-C70i0G749KkDJhZCB7Nj3vAOJR-C2U7wQHuGsNUOozM2Bn92bUCCb4V6VfA4kmMWh71Szv5-yVB-g3u-6ciPCrjUqCDHupoIhuKsgkGkc7_3teW6o9KyKnU1yi6GLLfeiuMpAYqB8/s1600-h/masked+duck_8815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rD-C70i0G749KkDJhZCB7Nj3vAOJR-C2U7wQHuGsNUOozM2Bn92bUCCb4V6VfA4kmMWh71Szv5-yVB-g3u-6ciPCrjUqCDHupoIhuKsgkGkc7_3teW6o9KyKnU1yi6GLLfeiuMpAYqB8/s320/masked+duck_8815.jpg" /></a><br />
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Having made this decision I decided as long as I am going to Viera I might just as well go a little further north to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. I told my son my plans and he decided to tag along with me. This was nice for me as he likes to do all the driving and I can sit back relax and enjoy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc-o5KXKi7qlAZxkPKMR3jBmytT9P6wQcBADOWaA7Rd1Z6ZXLS9lQSd34ST_xQONmOY6zSSN1WBym1-uf91swD3CKiFkuEwEUJRo0eP9X0HnR2YUQiU8vN6dz4ir3Dy8IsyjLo_aa-r5s/s1600-h/trying+to+stay+warm_8568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipc-o5KXKi7qlAZxkPKMR3jBmytT9P6wQcBADOWaA7Rd1Z6ZXLS9lQSd34ST_xQONmOY6zSSN1WBym1-uf91swD3CKiFkuEwEUJRo0eP9X0HnR2YUQiU8vN6dz4ir3Dy8IsyjLo_aa-r5s/s320/trying+to+stay+warm_8568.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">So Saturday we left early and headed for Viera. It just started raining as we left but I didn't let that dismay me as someone once said to me that you often get to see more birds when it is raining then when the sun is out. I was secretly hoping that the sun would be out up there as that was what my weather thingy said. Well the sun wasn’t out and, it was raining but not too hard and luckily the compound wasn't closed due to the rains as I have heard it sometimes is. But is was cold and sometime facing into the wind and rain trying to get a shot of a bird was darn right <span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">frigid</span>.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa4GtAKSOU2ojPStoqxqL8KhZ1Apk63U2dsSOK0tCf5utroGuQXaPKh4uBGjwb4nOC6BffLqwm_Xq9QmBdZWpgLywZDLmY6IxMcJ5l3VCg_OA1Pa67xnUJU07m1H7az4LgrVDQXirgItj/s1600-h/cold+rainy+and+windy+day8563w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa4GtAKSOU2ojPStoqxqL8KhZ1Apk63U2dsSOK0tCf5utroGuQXaPKh4uBGjwb4nOC6BffLqwm_Xq9QmBdZWpgLywZDLmY6IxMcJ5l3VCg_OA1Pa67xnUJU07m1H7az4LgrVDQXirgItj/s320/cold+rainy+and+windy+day8563w.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>We had no sooner got there and were driving slowly and pulling over to the side when the truck pulled up beside us and asked if we had any luck locating the masked we said that we hadn't but that we had just got there. They said they had been around 3 times and hadn't had any luck. Then they moved on and we just kept looking at the birds where we were. Then one of the guys in the truck waved for us to move up behind them we did and we got out and they pointed out the duck to us. It was the smallest duck in the pond. I really had to strain to see it as it was a ways out but see it I did as well as the coots and Blue-winged Teals and a few Ringed-billed Ducks.<br />
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We then proceeded to work our way around the ponds looking to see what we could see. We saw a lot of the usual birds and some not to usual for me. I photographed some sparrows and I am trying to ID them but to me sparrows all look alike. I thought one had nice distinct features and would be easy to ID but he looks like the rest of them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9yZmmyVHWnd8_pr-OJt9awZ2sVnjsMjKQux2D6iAXa2rR6Jz173BgNtKNSOPFNYIPnzydjB1oh3HJEzjYR35mvGrGp1PmT672Ffabxm_glsQ27ybpyQ3XwjXmXYI2tQ-a-hog3nVuPOj/s1600-h/C+caracara8874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9yZmmyVHWnd8_pr-OJt9awZ2sVnjsMjKQux2D6iAXa2rR6Jz173BgNtKNSOPFNYIPnzydjB1oh3HJEzjYR35mvGrGp1PmT672Ffabxm_glsQ27ybpyQ3XwjXmXYI2tQ-a-hog3nVuPOj/s320/C+caracara8874.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>We saw a Northern Harrier and a Crested Caracara and got some decent shots of Caracara but the Harrier was just a fleeting glance. We also got good looks at a Red Shouldered Hawk at least Ithinks it was a Red-shouldered hawk. It looks different and its tail looks shorter and it looks smaller but probably isn't. I don't think I have ever seen one so close before and I can see red shoulders so.......... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenxvW-Bc2RcdVjVTzwRMJwkl1fjAPuzY8tLtg141Gfi3DyYHXuLPgBputSA0FZj1o7nvlvwH1ehtky4VTHXg795Y7FQYA4ok-DWgSLlSV0cK11700iwt6P9dJf3cz05dFShnUTiRqMLGB/s1600-h/REd+shoulder+hawk+a_8731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenxvW-Bc2RcdVjVTzwRMJwkl1fjAPuzY8tLtg141Gfi3DyYHXuLPgBputSA0FZj1o7nvlvwH1ehtky4VTHXg795Y7FQYA4ok-DWgSLlSV0cK11700iwt6P9dJf3cz05dFShnUTiRqMLGB/s320/REd+shoulder+hawk+a_8731.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>One time as we were making our way around again we saw Snipes every 3 feet. It was amazing and they just kept looking for food not even bothered by the fact that we were trying to photograph them. I have never seen so many snipes in one place and out in the open like that to boot. Everywhere we looked there was a Snipe. Here a Snipe, there a Snipe, everywhere a Snipe. The Limpkins too were out in the open that day though moving constantly but still giving us good looks. I was hoping to see a Snail Kite but alas he was not to appear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6kpnpKZdaOeRe2VYouus-BIes_s4yeiFkDlLAF5eqXhwbCuxKhpGohueURxInWykXFpGioRVvc0uiY8a5mlTXE6l0N9zoWmroQzJrkqoV0rL4sgAuw2f4dA5ylbL3VfG2silT-tvwRPg/s1600-h/wilsons+snipe_8819Wc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6kpnpKZdaOeRe2VYouus-BIes_s4yeiFkDlLAF5eqXhwbCuxKhpGohueURxInWykXFpGioRVvc0uiY8a5mlTXE6l0N9zoWmroQzJrkqoV0rL4sgAuw2f4dA5ylbL3VfG2silT-tvwRPg/s320/wilsons+snipe_8819Wc.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div>We ended up spending the afternoon there, We pulled over at one point and pulled out our picnic lunch and ate it in the warmth of the car taking our mess with us when we left. It was such an enjoyable day neither one of us wanted to leave in spite of the rain, cold, sleet and snow. As we drove around cell after cell we became obsessed with the Hooded Mergansers trying to get a decent picture but they were not very corporative but we had fun trying.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9NWnyCgtIloMxNCDDKIQgu4wgQW9hDX7T5V49uzMkT1PczUAgoOH_5o7jHv7wtFhfkbfyrnbPdl1OShIcUS1RA9bNA5BzrtMV6RR0rAj5RTMx2XIDnkhic037bscXvTqsbsNRd4L_GGs/s1600-h/hooded+merganser8790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9NWnyCgtIloMxNCDDKIQgu4wgQW9hDX7T5V49uzMkT1PczUAgoOH_5o7jHv7wtFhfkbfyrnbPdl1OShIcUS1RA9bNA5BzrtMV6RR0rAj5RTMx2XIDnkhic037bscXvTqsbsNRd4L_GGs/s320/hooded+merganser8790.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>We drove to Merritt Island in the late afternoon. Where we booked a room and went out and had some warm food for dinner. The Following morning we headed out birding but that is yet another story for yet another time.<br />
<br />
Click on the link below to see a list of the birds we saw at Viera.<br />
<a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AXSoGKaRXHYrZHJ6em1jeF8xNTRzeDg1cHhk&hl=en">Birds seen at Viera Wetlands.</a><br />
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There were a couple of bonuses at Viera as well. We spent a few minutes watching this guy devour a fish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkaNnv66NQZRJwwHhpOW9WXHGcVFLWwd2zoZGTh1Q0VvAQ4NTKCTggwLoyYK9y1gcPJJUN9op0id8QaCFvXpRe7nokVfuEpL_shUwN8Bn6yaHC4IkRzU-L1sizraymKZj2gZ48MR3C5Sr/s1600-h/otter_8589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkaNnv66NQZRJwwHhpOW9WXHGcVFLWwd2zoZGTh1Q0VvAQ4NTKCTggwLoyYK9y1gcPJJUN9op0id8QaCFvXpRe7nokVfuEpL_shUwN8Bn6yaHC4IkRzU-L1sizraymKZj2gZ48MR3C5Sr/s320/otter_8589.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Of course running into this one was a real pleasure.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_9HCJocZ7NUC-f4kjlhmqf85BcmzoGJMKcU9Apkll01i-xh3C-qD7eAflx2QRXx0Lv6LBapEE-tqj1Vmts7mutueW6WC2TJ455bCusVNwowLcx38jLjynDwQe3HmM4rpRrVyzoUw9uY_/s1600-h/Ruddy+duck_8861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_9HCJocZ7NUC-f4kjlhmqf85BcmzoGJMKcU9Apkll01i-xh3C-qD7eAflx2QRXx0Lv6LBapEE-tqj1Vmts7mutueW6WC2TJ455bCusVNwowLcx38jLjynDwQe3HmM4rpRrVyzoUw9uY_/s320/Ruddy+duck_8861.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and his mate?????<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8oaJfddI1lLEjTQOhtYWLAuQu9PYGkw5FIGfT0E1y9ZT3rc8iNsBVLu3J4M9oR-KLuAPv05XiC6FuuFUYnavu4EL2hHLh_4nAB8Xv0TUaeczZem2Je1mCr_q7qEz1fVCl2jYTP3NNzRA/s1600-h/Ruddy+Duck_8860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8oaJfddI1lLEjTQOhtYWLAuQu9PYGkw5FIGfT0E1y9ZT3rc8iNsBVLu3J4M9oR-KLuAPv05XiC6FuuFUYnavu4EL2hHLh_4nAB8Xv0TUaeczZem2Je1mCr_q7qEz1fVCl2jYTP3NNzRA/s320/Ruddy+Duck_8860.jpg" /></a><br />
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I always enjoy running into one of these but usually see them perching on the telephone or electrical wires.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y07ajkBHbcujSeHSF-g7zS0vmQc55WpNog6mToeXOLbNNZ0NZHrTDSkO8gyop2NVNsCJUO2EADAhwPaoaIH__so38NY4TAc4cg3Jfl_5JmJ4co5IBSWYHE5AeV4SCBvu_kqCq7X8OxbQ/s1600-h/shriek_8797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y07ajkBHbcujSeHSF-g7zS0vmQc55WpNog6mToeXOLbNNZ0NZHrTDSkO8gyop2NVNsCJUO2EADAhwPaoaIH__so38NY4TAc4cg3Jfl_5JmJ4co5IBSWYHE5AeV4SCBvu_kqCq7X8OxbQ/s320/shriek_8797.jpg" /></a><br />
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This one puzzled me but finally settled on Scaup. I can see what must have been a little white cheek mark and I'm thinking Lesser as I think the head is pretty flat.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Another view<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgand3BbZxSqtVDH6JH-X0rUMAdWXpPJTZHN-jLmudTI4x89S6W-0BIiMC1cE584VTJrt68uttdRUzXjaSJmyKZ362Sqw04AFY_uED_1dWHcVLKid6d1r91GkODi1zYIDTTvcvojo2nfv5b/s1600-h/scaup_8786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgand3BbZxSqtVDH6JH-X0rUMAdWXpPJTZHN-jLmudTI4x89S6W-0BIiMC1cE584VTJrt68uttdRUzXjaSJmyKZ362Sqw04AFY_uED_1dWHcVLKid6d1r91GkODi1zYIDTTvcvojo2nfv5b/s320/scaup_8786.jpg" /></a><br />
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We got to watch this one as he captured his little delicacy and ran away from the group to protect his meal and when he felt safe he stopped and tenderized his meal before swallowing it head first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiKWlnhS0LlPN1OPfX2dDjMcYSteyFcgkhHts-2_OoK-hrVABvcsbsFYjDKiXB2IPv8vJ4iNIljHPFjfRgloY6kXNnTAUXXUmiujbShyphenhyphenNflj4q5jFEebE6V6EP2Xb6YLTWBsDIpTG-i8j/s1600-h/got+a+delicacy_8843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiKWlnhS0LlPN1OPfX2dDjMcYSteyFcgkhHts-2_OoK-hrVABvcsbsFYjDKiXB2IPv8vJ4iNIljHPFjfRgloY6kXNnTAUXXUmiujbShyphenhyphenNflj4q5jFEebE6V6EP2Xb6YLTWBsDIpTG-i8j/s320/got+a+delicacy_8843.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the many Limpkins we saw.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_YS2sHq6iCfoW_2f-Vb3UVbK_uJvOslr4wcLx8QVRkwRUAA7bmSsxN90uQTlIT5ZWqmAdYx8DTujROLDqMuMKc2fnycpMZwjudEPG1xC7uaLmfbSNFXAXX1-1J5DNo1s5TayGQLGUqt-/s1600-h/Limpkin_8721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_YS2sHq6iCfoW_2f-Vb3UVbK_uJvOslr4wcLx8QVRkwRUAA7bmSsxN90uQTlIT5ZWqmAdYx8DTujROLDqMuMKc2fnycpMZwjudEPG1xC7uaLmfbSNFXAXX1-1J5DNo1s5TayGQLGUqt-/s320/Limpkin_8721.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were a few killdeer around that day. this guy was working the water's edge others were seen in the open areas and working the banks around the cells. He looks cold, wet & unhappy.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNe5Fd37lVZmj-D2COzU9RB-PnGAS6xAZWzdorim_xByrlCvkZQYP_51PRwon7HXCfZG-MK5xtMwEtG2hPbXMX3xDO-DqKokd6aKEGUhksTfi3q2XGXvmdONG4HC0nyw3C21fGjtOqwG1/s1600-h/working+the+edge8594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNe5Fd37lVZmj-D2COzU9RB-PnGAS6xAZWzdorim_xByrlCvkZQYP_51PRwon7HXCfZG-MK5xtMwEtG2hPbXMX3xDO-DqKokd6aKEGUhksTfi3q2XGXvmdONG4HC0nyw3C21fGjtOqwG1/s320/working+the+edge8594.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I always enjoy running into this handsome guy even though he has a big mouth..........smile<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpUHfrycymmNSRF0fPDoOzWbPvwIA3Q3xtKbu4yNLgrDbov4qMA8aP0rp2m5bGM2IdYi540FKW4v7Ew3haF5NRR35FZQaR6TiRYD2P5CEgwQ_6s8yPZKKBntXkziDcSut1IhTdipMD-tc/s1600-h/Northern+Shovler+8663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpUHfrycymmNSRF0fPDoOzWbPvwIA3Q3xtKbu4yNLgrDbov4qMA8aP0rp2m5bGM2IdYi540FKW4v7Ew3haF5NRR35FZQaR6TiRYD2P5CEgwQ_6s8yPZKKBntXkziDcSut1IhTdipMD-tc/s320/Northern+Shovler+8663.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-23014000254805348672009-12-06T16:25:00.002-05:002009-12-08T21:39:42.154-05:00PELAGIC BIRDING TRIP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmHul7yMeEQmd-1CdOfx7vRHufYpfBMjFWqyi5A5FEzdzXH5dgpPqePcHNyrx5gXc_77Nn2Gs0l33Kma2HmRGINvjG3HjKzuphCTzhNK5Oq3_jy0fiGZhb8vJLUKVlgz91DKTuwaZeIri/s1600-h/Pastime+Princess+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmHul7yMeEQmd-1CdOfx7vRHufYpfBMjFWqyi5A5FEzdzXH5dgpPqePcHNyrx5gXc_77Nn2Gs0l33Kma2HmRGINvjG3HjKzuphCTzhNK5Oq3_jy0fiGZhb8vJLUKVlgz91DKTuwaZeIri/s320/Pastime+Princess+Photo.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">I have for a while now been thinking about going on a Pelagic Birding Trip. Last year I heard about one and told them I was interested but the more I thought about it and what it would cost me I soon realized that this was not to be my trip. Plus there was the rickety old car I was driving and this trip would have meant a 4 hour drive to and from plus two night stay in a hotel & food plus the cost of the trip and a day’s pay as I would have to take a day off from work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">This year however things came together and I got the new car, found out a friend lives very close to the departure so I had a place to stay. So I booked and paid for the trip and looked forward to it with great anticipation for a few months.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">The Leader of the trip sent us all the information we needed including directions to the boat and <a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AXSoGKaRXHYrZHJ6em1jeF8xMmM0Z3BkcmNr&hl=en">a list of things</a> we might need to bring along.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">ITEMS TO BRING<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Sunscreen – Important!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Binoculars – imperative; however, a scope is not useful on a pelagic trip. It is better to leave it at home or in the car.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Lens cloth to clean off salt spray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Hat<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Sunglasses<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Rain gear<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Seat cushion – The metal seats get hard by the end of a full day. Some sort of stadium- type seat pad or cushion would help. (Bring one without a back.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Small pillow – To help you rest on the way out and back.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Sea sickness medication – Do not forget to take it before the trip starts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Well I have been on boats before and never got seasick but all that was a long time ago and as you get older things change so I bought some Dramamine and took one pill one hour before the trip began. As for a cushion I thought a flotation cushion would work so I went to Bass Pro Shop and bought one. (Big Mistake).The rest of the stuff I had except the rain gear because they said no ponchos. So I found a waterproof jacket and took that. Not sure how that would have worked out but I was pretty sure I wouldn't need it. OK I felt I was now ready! Bring on the Games. I was so looking forward to this.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Oh no, what this hurricane going to do. Please don't let it spoil this trip. got a another email the day before Seas were rough and they might have to cancel but things were expected to calm down so they would send another email On Saturday. Well by the time that one would come I would already be at Ormond Beach. Please, please let this trip get off!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Then the time came, I got in my car and headed north to Ormond Beach it took me the better part of 4 hours to reach my friends home. I had just spent the better part of a week with them in October catching up on old time like we hadn't, not seen each other for years. It was a great reunion. They are the BEST! And now Joye has developed an interest in birding so will be enjoying talking to her about the birds we see. I hope to get back up there and I hope too that they will come to visit me and we can go birding together down here.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Ahhhhhhh I have arrived and what is the first thing we do after I unload my car. Well go exploring of course. They were having some sort of bird Migration Festival and bird release at the <a href="http://www.marinesciencecenter.com/birdfest.htm">Marine Science Center's</a> so we went to check it out. I have never been to the <a href="http://www.marinesciencecenter.com/default.htm">Marine Science Center</a> so was looking forward to this and I was not disappointed.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikasEOZ21b8SZUrb5ELH46hBVW0FamGEsOIn4UkG7qw4X48dHe5WVCxKU6PojVgdj-4skaJTvUBTIihdxep2MZrxkWG5ZnMywM6fQtFzXopyg1XD1dGI794NtR3Yvt5U_OREvBgUs0Bcrm/s1600-h/I'm+free7411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikasEOZ21b8SZUrb5ELH46hBVW0FamGEsOIn4UkG7qw4X48dHe5WVCxKU6PojVgdj-4skaJTvUBTIihdxep2MZrxkWG5ZnMywM6fQtFzXopyg1XD1dGI794NtR3Yvt5U_OREvBgUs0Bcrm/s200/I'm+free7411.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">The Bird release was neat too. This was a release of injured birds that had been treated and were being released back into the wild. They do great things at that Center for sure.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Wm5I3AhJ9AWrmepnaOCTndbX5Ecbn4WpDM-x7zEfutDuQ5-ZTMC7mKexqKz2CAxQQWql3k08LGCPBuEhTLKUAT3E7oi80to7MCEIQDXstUOveDrEegDZNcAejNu1TAgnsIsrY6rvnsy/s1600-h/Piping+Plover+7431web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09Wm5I3AhJ9AWrmepnaOCTndbX5Ecbn4WpDM-x7zEfutDuQ5-ZTMC7mKexqKz2CAxQQWql3k08LGCPBuEhTLKUAT3E7oi80to7MCEIQDXstUOveDrEegDZNcAejNu1TAgnsIsrY6rvnsy/s200/Piping+Plover+7431web.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Then we headed over to the inlet as the last time I was there it was full of shore birds and I am now at a stage in my birding that I want to learn about the shore birds. Unfortunately there weren't as many birds this time but I did get a cute little "lifer" Piping Plover, such a tiny little thing running along the beach. We hung around a little longer then walked some of the boardwalk but didn't turn up much of anything interesting. Then we headed over to one of our favorite spots to eat and had dinner. I must say though that this place has slipped down a few notches this time. Not sure I even want to go back again. Now for the drive home and of course we decided on some Ice Cream for dessert. Well that was a great idea, that Ice Cream well Ritter's Frozen Custard that is. Yummy, yummy, yummy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf4gIKu-rh_YfSmK5BDrqJXJXivxS-I0PfYCzwC1KmCE4efOrFRhg0vMJfUYfA_OhfcBTr6l6xSyoY4fhM5EnKanaPnLGNRwCudIXjyOWBjaVj15754vVSTAa2AApT8r06j4zuxOMAgz5/s1600-h/Reddish+Egret+in+the+surf_7456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf4gIKu-rh_YfSmK5BDrqJXJXivxS-I0PfYCzwC1KmCE4efOrFRhg0vMJfUYfA_OhfcBTr6l6xSyoY4fhM5EnKanaPnLGNRwCudIXjyOWBjaVj15754vVSTAa2AApT8r06j4zuxOMAgz5/s200/Reddish+Egret+in+the+surf_7456.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Once home we got into out PJ's and sat a talked and then I begged off as I wanted to get a good night sleep. Well as it turned out I tossed and turned and tossed and turned and didn't get to sleep until like 2:30 am and I was planning to get up at 4 as I wanted to grabbed something to eat and I had a 30 minute drive to someplace I hadn't been, so wanted to leave early and allow myself the time. Well I got up grabbed a yogurt and soon felt awake and made the drive and found the boat place and then had to stand and wait to get aboard the boat. To place to sit and couldn't sit in the car as we had to park in a different lot.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr20kqr0SwaSayCFlVy0p_s55WJFRvZ0vYlwQgeQ0ijKyg8RzW-Vex0fzIjo4QcVUtv1WDb1AFrEyiaShQiI4iLMYJtEtvGM0BNXgsuTNIwQs5Gjl8gBIDvFPqwYLVc7pKc_WCYjG4l5lS/s1600-h/photo+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr20kqr0SwaSayCFlVy0p_s55WJFRvZ0vYlwQgeQ0ijKyg8RzW-Vex0fzIjo4QcVUtv1WDb1AFrEyiaShQiI4iLMYJtEtvGM0BNXgsuTNIwQs5Gjl8gBIDvFPqwYLVc7pKc_WCYjG4l5lS/s200/photo+(1).jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Before boarding of course they read us the rules and regulations and had a roll call (necessary I guess). Finally we were allowed to board. OMG! I have to go up that narrow plank with nothing but those skinny ropes to hold on to???? Yikes! But I did it no problem. Now there is no way I am going to climb up to the upper deck. So let see where do I want to sit? Well I finally found a space on the Port side of the boat and settled in. This was the shady side so I didn’t have the sun in my eye though it was probably warmer on the other side. As it turned out it was not the best seat in the house as they were cutting up fish in back of me to try to attract the birds to come in and fish water was splashing all over the place and my carry on bags were totally wet and fishy by the time we docked 12 hours later.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RW82nA5OOqECnNc5fmZq5b3U0pNBW2v6ahxRlbY8TV_SBpssi1iQwMvwDqV3J1AUOVJu1YW7DcwOtCDSbswINoQZtW-T21Xc9faqrAfdlr1IWvMgd_rWxs-07Ctjb839_yagQbYn6OXG/s1600-h/frpm+the+boat+as+we+start+out_7479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RW82nA5OOqECnNc5fmZq5b3U0pNBW2v6ahxRlbY8TV_SBpssi1iQwMvwDqV3J1AUOVJu1YW7DcwOtCDSbswINoQZtW-T21Xc9faqrAfdlr1IWvMgd_rWxs-07Ctjb839_yagQbYn6OXG/s200/frpm+the+boat+as+we+start+out_7479.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">OK, sunrise and we are getting underway (Please Lord don't let me get sea sick) It's a little chilly but I am OK . Away we go and it was a nice ride to the inlet not too rough and we saw lots of birds. I didn't try to take pictures as it was still pretty dark and the moving boat and flying birds were beyond my capabilities. So I just sat back and enjoyed the ride, besides they were the usual birds that one is apt to see on the Wetlands or the seashore. I was waiting for the Pelagic Birds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp1LQQg_TqTxNA0myPviyCpANu19YvvneyL2y6ri6eDxKlzFpP4ehYlYYHEiwNboT_SIL2IIVGvWXsUHhNMfjGC_q4S6rybQzclPHl7l6AyYVRb0kGBY0J5ElmSp2b1zRDaVrZtIy5ao3/s1600-h/a+little+closer+view_7484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp1LQQg_TqTxNA0myPviyCpANu19YvvneyL2y6ri6eDxKlzFpP4ehYlYYHEiwNboT_SIL2IIVGvWXsUHhNMfjGC_q4S6rybQzclPHl7l6AyYVRb0kGBY0J5ElmSp2b1zRDaVrZtIy5ao3/s200/a+little+closer+view_7484.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">OK now we are approaching the inlet and the swell are a little higher and we ride up & over kind of like riding over hills and vales in the roads in Maine. Up and over and down and your stomach isn't where it is suppose to be but it feels good and the salt air is refreshing and it's a great day to be alive.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSr66VfnWwIHAH_F-ltbk0O74YHkh3K9JYuTG8xI_tXWtEvsg-Qygd4ETdWU8SLOsy70h5DING-l3wbEdanWLxN6Kfd1i_4OXF98xzaoveolCinhT8qkdSKm6_83BQBH52RCV2CXAM2M2/s1600-h/leaving+the+inlet_7491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSr66VfnWwIHAH_F-ltbk0O74YHkh3K9JYuTG8xI_tXWtEvsg-Qygd4ETdWU8SLOsy70h5DING-l3wbEdanWLxN6Kfd1i_4OXF98xzaoveolCinhT8qkdSKm6_83BQBH52RCV2CXAM2M2/s200/leaving+the+inlet_7491.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Soon the spotters are calling out birds they see but I can't hear them from where I am sitting and I wasn't alone. Seems the PA system doesn't work in that section. Great! So I see a bird and I take a picture figuring I can maybe ID it when I get back home. This activity goes one for a period of time and the sun has long risen and I am getting a little warm and thinking about getting something to eat. But the boat is moving fast and I can't seem to get my sea legs so I stay put. Maybe when they slow down a little I will be able to get into the area where the food is. I have a couple of snacks and plenty of water so that will sustain me for a while. But I think that I shouldn't drink too much or I will need to go and not sure I can make it to the bathroom. So I make the decision not to drink too much liquid.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgird1QMbuiw_Ds4FboHc1Y3GQKoxKIEeEbiDIyklCk3HZb8Cam8pNUZ5Y2zewNCZzcZfI3WOfdqt_Hj5wf5YdvGnSJJ9wrRgEE0I18YzWimQbKCSds1K1mJC4vCNzabLc9-hYGzMFPKXP/s1600-h/a+sailboat+on+the+way+out+7522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgird1QMbuiw_Ds4FboHc1Y3GQKoxKIEeEbiDIyklCk3HZb8Cam8pNUZ5Y2zewNCZzcZfI3WOfdqt_Hj5wf5YdvGnSJJ9wrRgEE0I18YzWimQbKCSds1K1mJC4vCNzabLc9-hYGzMFPKXP/s200/a+sailboat+on+the+way+out+7522.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">So the spotters call out for birds and the boat slows down but I am afraid to miss out on something so I keep looking and photographing. By late afternoon I am really hungry but when I think I can try to get to the food the boat speeds up and I am stuck again. I am also afraid to be inside as the only time I got sea sick I was below deck and once back out into the open I was OK.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBw7q2TlC0xQq96B6aLUcv-xe-u7bQROlg0DlzbxqIVngvQdwURDA9vSzIrHs9Mr7hwCWLW16sxgKp9ffM1z00DyUx0mgLpv18wvg_4CBZREiAH8FFpi3VnZ2_PP6iQtT4sleEgn6vJf0/s1600-h/another+lifer+to+ID+7510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBw7q2TlC0xQq96B6aLUcv-xe-u7bQROlg0DlzbxqIVngvQdwURDA9vSzIrHs9Mr7hwCWLW16sxgKp9ffM1z00DyUx0mgLpv18wvg_4CBZREiAH8FFpi3VnZ2_PP6iQtT4sleEgn6vJf0/s200/another+lifer+to+ID+7510.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">At least now someone is passing along the names of the bird they are spotting but I still can't get my feet under me enough to get very far. I think because the railings on the boat were so low and I was carrying so much gear I was afraid I would if the boat turned just right go over the rail and into the sea. So although I finally did get up and move a little to get some pictures I still didn't feel comfortable moving too far from my seat and stayed put the whole trip.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vVFgQd57xz_OLprNCb-xV6h76t1gbFpunvaq-fozPbXryn7LUJpgoFkvYji7crPRZnzkaHWvVV67dQfz1wkm4HbhAJ7i30_loR9AGyI4HnZO17JDOGGtj_VFnQl0jcjObd-Evr-vJDAD/s1600-h/brown+booby_7574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vVFgQd57xz_OLprNCb-xV6h76t1gbFpunvaq-fozPbXryn7LUJpgoFkvYji7crPRZnzkaHWvVV67dQfz1wkm4HbhAJ7i30_loR9AGyI4HnZO17JDOGGtj_VFnQl0jcjObd-Evr-vJDAD/s200/brown+booby_7574.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Not only was I loaded with camera and binoculars but stashed under my seat were two canvas bags and a camera case with extra batteries and flash cards should I need them and of course I was well dressed in layers as suggested. The bags as it turned out got saturated with fishy water from the fish they were cutting up and using as bait to draw in the birds. Should I ever decide I want to try this again I need to get something water proof to stow my gear in. Not at all sure what that would be but will keep my eye out just in case I ever forget just how miserable I ended up being. Because as it turns out I didn't eat (except for 2 small breakfast bars) and I didn't go to the bathroom for those 12 long hours on that boat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PzMh2S3-QFcgWbtQT10RTB6hGNQ9gwZxLIjapE6ZBjtgIc2qMOuA1QcjEWGoqcHezw1nSmhV3PEJwTOMFJwItyJ4TqC84sgOqIgwJz5i1xnH-iIDrSwO77ZRDNXAnONSfTFXzdTvqFbE/s1600-h/corys+shearwater_7591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PzMh2S3-QFcgWbtQT10RTB6hGNQ9gwZxLIjapE6ZBjtgIc2qMOuA1QcjEWGoqcHezw1nSmhV3PEJwTOMFJwItyJ4TqC84sgOqIgwJz5i1xnH-iIDrSwO77ZRDNXAnONSfTFXzdTvqFbE/s200/corys+shearwater_7591.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Late in the afternoon and thinking we were on the way in I pulled out my cushion to see if I could get more comfortable but that didn't work If anything the flotation cushion was harder to sit on the molded bench. I soon got rid of that. Now I am getting really hungry, I am tired (didn't get much sleep last night) and I am more than a little concerned that I don't feel the need to go to the bathroom???? and my fanny is screaming in pain and this bloody boat trip won't end. I am miserable!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbsg0Dg2wQNnmtQKzXpejsaDctD-koTHgXYIRHirv_bQdfYxydqNQdvAO6mqE1z3F2Js44irqU6Y6f9EaujtqfIIv4FcWsIkyDeiMmxi99N57yFaMDLRxXmkuvvFfIblZOzZPlYTcx0t-/s1600-h/flying+fish+love+these+guys_7592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbsg0Dg2wQNnmtQKzXpejsaDctD-koTHgXYIRHirv_bQdfYxydqNQdvAO6mqE1z3F2Js44irqU6Y6f9EaujtqfIIv4FcWsIkyDeiMmxi99N57yFaMDLRxXmkuvvFfIblZOzZPlYTcx0t-/s200/flying+fish+love+these+guys_7592.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Luckily I was sitting with a really nice couple and they provided a little distraction, plus there was the girl from GA and the young lady from up north and a young couple he seemed more interested in the birds and she in photography. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatwxKQa7gnUbPFDsR9l_LVfMIQLVXJZluMTZq0OTCoXdGxRrAdpijAswLKpNNHJe8HGsT6XsTLdlLDMc4zePbRT2fEVyPY7bo3gw3iCu223UtcE2kiayyELQQN4XqhL4PDjo-IG-T-YBS/s1600-h/Loggerhead+turtle_7527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatwxKQa7gnUbPFDsR9l_LVfMIQLVXJZluMTZq0OTCoXdGxRrAdpijAswLKpNNHJe8HGsT6XsTLdlLDMc4zePbRT2fEVyPY7bo3gw3iCu223UtcE2kiayyELQQN4XqhL4PDjo-IG-T-YBS/s200/Loggerhead+turtle_7527.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Look land! hopefully we will be home soon. Oh no once you see land you are still 3 hours out??? Can that be? God I want of this boat now!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZOOvrWd0KaYsZHIgR-1M6xOHqZHeSHw9NuPbDHych2Gs5GidlHzz_o4eeow54ZOQCdpqmNQLEUNQcwBf4Rcb7JrMKvkzbvqX_bp1-WYKUaSuavP-fRk_op6CnimDQUG7PHMDS3BlZXvq/s1600-h/northern+Garnnet_7571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZOOvrWd0KaYsZHIgR-1M6xOHqZHeSHw9NuPbDHych2Gs5GidlHzz_o4eeow54ZOQCdpqmNQLEUNQcwBf4Rcb7JrMKvkzbvqX_bp1-WYKUaSuavP-fRk_op6CnimDQUG7PHMDS3BlZXvq/s200/northern+Garnnet_7571.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">The sun is setting how pretty wish I was on the other side to photograph the lighthouse as we head in. Look at these beautiful homes what it must be like to live here. What views they must have.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpf1oMclUMUCWVsu5uAHa7V01IYbRv3Z9OKry2E9eGNdBmrJLGl__7972J6zWca9c3v5W_RtJPBwZP-oXKNHpNzY4RuALGZ8b4EQ0zFQZjUs2_p3ru9kBjic15LIUD19JCH72-Ot8_p1R/s1600-h/parasitic+Jaeger_7544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpf1oMclUMUCWVsu5uAHa7V01IYbRv3Z9OKry2E9eGNdBmrJLGl__7972J6zWca9c3v5W_RtJPBwZP-oXKNHpNzY4RuALGZ8b4EQ0zFQZjUs2_p3ru9kBjic15LIUD19JCH72-Ot8_p1R/s200/parasitic+Jaeger_7544.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Now why are we just sitting here why don't they raise the bridge so we can get off this boat?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8W7db7WZtHHC_bETjUs8jZT2bqRzLgpK_7V_3NmASmUrfRHGF6VdGHKbPd9VYLH9Bh4Ury0u73Co26-3qftpIYZ8cxZDJ8Zk1nWuIc2TBH_PA1elfR64g_opdtzxz3eDQbyREVLCFLg4/s1600-h/shearwaters_7633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8W7db7WZtHHC_bETjUs8jZT2bqRzLgpK_7V_3NmASmUrfRHGF6VdGHKbPd9VYLH9Bh4Ury0u73Co26-3qftpIYZ8cxZDJ8Zk1nWuIc2TBH_PA1elfR64g_opdtzxz3eDQbyREVLCFLg4/s320/shearwaters_7633.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p>Finally we are moving again and now we are at the dock. Hurray! Now I have only to find my way back to Joye's place in the dark and it is hour away................and there will be food ................and a bathroom...................and a shower....................and sleep..........and tomorrow the 4 hour ride home. Oh the things I do to see a bird!</o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQFySZUDtBtGnHt09WD37eRLRkaKTZzQ712Xr2SID2kyThPrxCTLpWHaLY9moT1FoT1R_gBkt_G-s0pGCso1uItPLfex3kRiy6CBhgKqY0FQ9ev51GdOP4OH_G1p_sMjX5W87ObNB7zLr/s1600-h/land+Ho_7637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQFySZUDtBtGnHt09WD37eRLRkaKTZzQ712Xr2SID2kyThPrxCTLpWHaLY9moT1FoT1R_gBkt_G-s0pGCso1uItPLfex3kRiy6CBhgKqY0FQ9ev51GdOP4OH_G1p_sMjX5W87ObNB7zLr/s200/land+Ho_7637.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">List of birds see on this trip can be found <a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AXSoGKaRXHYrZHJ6em1jeF8xMGdndGI0dGhu&hl=en">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb07p5TSU5MgaJkoVvnkGXOfGL2yJ9iUxqt_3TFl1KzZZvn0g-HMMYTc7hnxNLk09U0hyQP5MRMZkH0ceQIzPfOc-nHAM4x54uV8hPbkOuB85Jvf5iwR7qzQg5O1jiRvZ-LIdVJVQRkE3/s1600-h/sunset_7642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb07p5TSU5MgaJkoVvnkGXOfGL2yJ9iUxqt_3TFl1KzZZvn0g-HMMYTc7hnxNLk09U0hyQP5MRMZkH0ceQIzPfOc-nHAM4x54uV8hPbkOuB85Jvf5iwR7qzQg5O1jiRvZ-LIdVJVQRkE3/s320/sunset_7642.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The End! and at the time I thought it would be the end of such trips for me. But now that some time has past I might consider another going on another one at some in my life and have been keeping an eye open for things to make it a more enjoyable experience for myself.....Comfort and ease of movement being top priorities. I have even been looking into some off the Oregon Coast................smile</span><br />
</div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-49831921651360050932009-10-30T20:56:00.000-04:002009-10-30T20:56:07.848-04:00What kind of birder are you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lfr2XM4q3xyI-rcpDRaMS-BZXXpM-6yCcNFlnueOQpAGRjO4iInKB6ZpSs3K1_PANN5tPhfUsidaUtwO8tjpiFhk4G18ETWWyPpQvx5Ycjs1C6j_vobgsUnHgCvJf-MXsQHrWZAc544c/s1600-h/BJ_5945ab1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Lfr2XM4q3xyI-rcpDRaMS-BZXXpM-6yCcNFlnueOQpAGRjO4iInKB6ZpSs3K1_PANN5tPhfUsidaUtwO8tjpiFhk4G18ETWWyPpQvx5Ycjs1C6j_vobgsUnHgCvJf-MXsQHrWZAc544c/s320/BJ_5945ab1.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Are you a BACKYARD BIRDER? Do you enjoy the birds that visit your feeders and do you actively seek to attract a wide variety to your yard with different feeders, birdhouses and bird-friendly plantings. I believe this is where I started out many, many years ago. I could identify both everyday and seasonal species, as well as some of the more unusual guests to my back yard. I started doing this to amuse my children and because my mother was a Backyard birder. I don’t really feed the birds today as I moved into a condo and such habits are frowned up there, but I do have a few peanuts around for when the Bluejays show up………….smile<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNpqN_9d72vey2_6L9JlOUsTHYxzmtuf5W_LHbejWqnR4PdKQz26sJe49x_aetVpU_6VJtXlKZ5398J4ulJJ4o8maiVRRk5mW0jvGYOmQDRmeyqUUZ-RnTJuBVkzEroxJqssRtBgM0uWY/s1600-h/books+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNpqN_9d72vey2_6L9JlOUsTHYxzmtuf5W_LHbejWqnR4PdKQz26sJe49x_aetVpU_6VJtXlKZ5398J4ulJJ4o8maiVRRk5mW0jvGYOmQDRmeyqUUZ-RnTJuBVkzEroxJqssRtBgM0uWY/s320/books+007.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Are you a true “BIRDER”? Do you actively observe and study different birds in order to learn more about their behavior, habitats and personalities. Do you often plan travels to seek out more birds and have you taken to photographing them. I may fall into this league a little too and find too that I enjoy watching and learning about other winged creatures and some that have no wings. In this section I differ in that I don’t participate in organized competitions and birding marathons to see a wide number of species (althought I have signed up for a Pelagic Birding trip) and I can’t readily identify every species on my life list even though I may consult with numerous field guides for certainty.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vsmWgbu1T08byaMiNpJujS9J59z-L7QHVkfyQ-TQtaSiatRjpvVjVgfNWkSYUzZnOUCfDzjkZyGasqZorNqYU9m0vnLv0bZrZFBQViwqHQbuihilmRb9fhg9rdxAm6v7hdbSVMJ-N2JK/s1600-h/Stellers+Jay_7953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vsmWgbu1T08byaMiNpJujS9J59z-L7QHVkfyQ-TQtaSiatRjpvVjVgfNWkSYUzZnOUCfDzjkZyGasqZorNqYU9m0vnLv0bZrZFBQViwqHQbuihilmRb9fhg9rdxAm6v7hdbSVMJ-N2JK/s320/Stellers+Jay_7953.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Are you a Twitcher? Twitcher’s they say are passionate birders actively seeking to add more and more birds to their life lists, and they may travel extensively when rare or unusual birds are reported. The Twitchers I have been in contact with often keep more than one checklist. They may keep seasonal lists, state lists and county lists etc., etc. Now I did try this but I just can’t keep up with them. Not me not at this time in my life. Now while I do enjoy finding new birds I don’t go out of my way nor do I travel great distances to see a rare bird, although I did travel to WA to go birding OK so it wasn't all for the birding............ If I am going to be in the area or if it is some where I can get to easily I might try for it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCupE2Kv0EpgwLIqTBtVleUwGJ1tuF9EGRthW5N4VWOTYBviW5yQVL3BI1Hxs33tWQS8AqF_NE2sCEEJ4Wz2OlIBExDCtrSkNO04d6bHFhUUc733e4uA2jXfSJw6ROI13hPLfc6Tvc372/s1600-h/getting+away+with+the+goods_6629a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCupE2Kv0EpgwLIqTBtVleUwGJ1tuF9EGRthW5N4VWOTYBviW5yQVL3BI1Hxs33tWQS8AqF_NE2sCEEJ4Wz2OlIBExDCtrSkNO04d6bHFhUUc733e4uA2jXfSJw6ROI13hPLfc6Tvc372/s320/getting+away+with+the+goods_6629a.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Are you a CITIZEN SCIENTIST ? This is a serious birder, often active in multiple bird conservation and education events. These birders participate in annual counts and report their findings to the appropriate organizations, and they also seek to promote conservation of bird species and their essential habitats. A citizen scientist may organize educational or birding events, or they may be volunteers with various aviaries or rehabilitation centers. While I commend this type of birder I am not that birder.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0Hav0Vc0LZYme1Wy_h9NCobntNhudEwZTwYdvcRIc2N2fDqtBP8hS9Y0j5A4Pu-9CRmMD24cZcSyYiBR6-ARCgRjpYMiLSGIMUPQOrKvO0FyKvyBfOOPzbsD1o5LDH4B0XJyLqACgDYk/s1600-h/sikmmer+skimming_6720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0Hav0Vc0LZYme1Wy_h9NCobntNhudEwZTwYdvcRIc2N2fDqtBP8hS9Y0j5A4Pu-9CRmMD24cZcSyYiBR6-ARCgRjpYMiLSGIMUPQOrKvO0FyKvyBfOOPzbsD1o5LDH4B0XJyLqACgDYk/s320/sikmmer+skimming_6720.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Perhaps you are an ORNITHOLOGIST, a professional birder with advanced scientific training about not only bird species but also about behavior, anatomy, physiology and bird species history. Nope this is not me either but if I had my life to do over it might well be me.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5EVH1R5W7kkjHNM_XsQFhc7r-utwg-z3uJ-hHPEfd3VmPTj7IHknffMVIIi8rxbdqUHoq5rlTzUCm2nUYjx19LjnsMicWynhPeUw0_0VSFy2VA0fTPokEPvTbREU-2LBpsP03oJJu37k/s1600-h/unknown+dragonfly_7066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5EVH1R5W7kkjHNM_XsQFhc7r-utwg-z3uJ-hHPEfd3VmPTj7IHknffMVIIi8rxbdqUHoq5rlTzUCm2nUYjx19LjnsMicWynhPeUw0_0VSFy2VA0fTPokEPvTbREU-2LBpsP03oJJu37k/s320/unknown+dragonfly_7066.jpg" vr="true" /></a>Me, I believe I am a Casual Birder who enjoys photographing all that Mother Nature has to offer. I enjoy learning about and watching not just the birds, but butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, snakes (from a distance) and flowers and whatever else gets in front of me and my camera.<br />
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So now tell me. What kind of birder are you?Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-38870328222437045832009-09-20T16:37:00.000-04:002009-09-20T16:37:39.533-04:00LONG KEY NATURAL AREA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRo1EQV-DIa2U7fUoLUqAUo0cQOusHAiBYJcpilBovuDCRLY5mdJHOllP4SDENporx5HBxVab6conzVDhFBHAftFVSjwa32ifGRwGAWL6f7S81mrScH0MitkEXHaigmqQgbRQrzEaeRLk/s1600-h/Long+Key+Nature+CenterP1010321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRo1EQV-DIa2U7fUoLUqAUo0cQOusHAiBYJcpilBovuDCRLY5mdJHOllP4SDENporx5HBxVab6conzVDhFBHAftFVSjwa32ifGRwGAWL6f7S81mrScH0MitkEXHaigmqQgbRQrzEaeRLk/s400/Long+Key+Nature+CenterP1010321.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Because I have spent so much time out there this spring and summer I thought I would write about it this month. Last month I talked about the rookery out there and that is where I havebeen spending my time lately. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh22pEpfc2Dk1n-vB6siATtM8DT9eTn-O0qCdPnkg6LdysZgwF-f5KQT-Z4YR_4B0_c6GzCGpnxi60AsuMpiyWjXEiGoBT9J3gWz7goML_FT2mL3fmeaGlPyCCKPPpU4qmNZlNOU5NHFq/s1600-h/Walkway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh22pEpfc2Dk1n-vB6siATtM8DT9eTn-O0qCdPnkg6LdysZgwF-f5KQT-Z4YR_4B0_c6GzCGpnxi60AsuMpiyWjXEiGoBT9J3gWz7goML_FT2mL3fmeaGlPyCCKPPpU4qmNZlNOU5NHFq/s320/Walkway.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is just a small area of to the left just as you enter the Nature Center property. This little area has been so full of life and a great place to watch birds as they go about their daily routines as they first build their nests and then lay and incubates their eggs.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3PsJsgu6XZx3gCIxXsvghH_KgJkvK-6OXdN8lLANXk6NTTEiMfu9S8Hs2r_U-LZZmcrTpzoMRRDHqD7-MUlBdDfRVxEO_Jcl7MBW54qfIYYqI0BsX3jQ_Tro2vgBnlFv15-toSchbLHM/s1600-h/east+side+of+rookeryP1010312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3PsJsgu6XZx3gCIxXsvghH_KgJkvK-6OXdN8lLANXk6NTTEiMfu9S8Hs2r_U-LZZmcrTpzoMRRDHqD7-MUlBdDfRVxEO_Jcl7MBW54qfIYYqI0BsX3jQ_Tro2vgBnlFv15-toSchbLHM/s320/east+side+of+rookeryP1010312.jpg" /></a><br />
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Then the real fun begins as the chicks hatch and you watch the parents feed them and they grow and begin to move about the nest then slowly and cautiously move outside the nest onto the surrounding branches learning to wait and play there waiting for the parents to return and feed them. These babies are always hungry and will reach up and pull the parent down by whatever means it can try to get something to eat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHFM4bYDButXCwmRSRpX__Lmzy3Jw1pMca28Oa1DyXvSoiIKP6_mN1er78V6cySqw2ePENCXX0HXf3pNWIpkDqeAuwJZUCvslJF1L3q4Yr49Agw1h9a476up-1xXHWV7TLbBzAmHrZmPT/s1600-h/Hungry+babies_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHFM4bYDButXCwmRSRpX__Lmzy3Jw1pMca28Oa1DyXvSoiIKP6_mN1er78V6cySqw2ePENCXX0HXf3pNWIpkDqeAuwJZUCvslJF1L3q4Yr49Agw1h9a476up-1xXHWV7TLbBzAmHrZmPT/s320/Hungry+babies_0125.jpg" /></a><br />
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As they grow the parents will try to teach the young to look for food in the surrounding water and then eventually comes the flying lesson. Soon there are birds flying all around and over your head. Now would be a good time to wear a hat to protect your hair............smile <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Soon though they will be gone and I will miss all that activity but will continue to make little trips out there to discover what else I might find. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz_6wqbIvEibJ1hOlBs6p1_cp5qOhXE1ii2525CvBbywyH7Zd0Skkt5mHLZnB-Jqbqn9zPkCTYy_TQONFdSP2gtHPUg-6i-J8of7_6aOfEoNoG0ozo7hs-cXFUF6huD__3EmUIatGB4jH/s1600-h/dragonfly_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz_6wqbIvEibJ1hOlBs6p1_cp5qOhXE1ii2525CvBbywyH7Zd0Skkt5mHLZnB-Jqbqn9zPkCTYy_TQONFdSP2gtHPUg-6i-J8of7_6aOfEoNoG0ozo7hs-cXFUF6huD__3EmUIatGB4jH/s320/dragonfly_0086.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>The water’s edge here around the rookery seems to be a good source for dragonflies and I have seen a few different ones depending on the season. The bridge area too is a good source for dragonflies and damselflies.<br />
From the bridge I have seen Green Herons, Pied-Billed Grebes, White Ibis, a Great Egret and even got to see my first Swallow-tailed Kite.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvObZn5hpABWtXCnY0nWDLqyaWiNjwjuopaa7OOrbF1bd8Dub0bDzGofTZ16zhxtHNe6bVJ59C891r4d9Puv_iDLhWHKqHoMF4uCEqH4y4VBSrf5uWlASu3umEVf_ISUP1fntzY8xFAd7/s1600-h/Hey+wait+I+want+to+be+in+the+picture+too_5474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvObZn5hpABWtXCnY0nWDLqyaWiNjwjuopaa7OOrbF1bd8Dub0bDzGofTZ16zhxtHNe6bVJ59C891r4d9Puv_iDLhWHKqHoMF4uCEqH4y4VBSrf5uWlASu3umEVf_ISUP1fntzY8xFAd7/s320/Hey+wait+I+want+to+be+in+the+picture+too_5474.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>There are lawn areas with picnic tables and sometimes the oaks are filled with warblers. There is a pair of Grackles that hangs around hoping to get a snack and I have seen Blue Jays and Cardinals, Sapsuckers and other wood pecker plus was treated one day to a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers flying all over the property.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zHR9QLIs8Q6RU81qnZD1q-RyoEUiFjwAuY8vbgzCXQMo3cZSKYgabEMnazeMSecq6cVPuTSJoDzWl0MT3rT2zNXHGvy42Fqz8-goTQuxK6z-6iIVDnrR8DT4wxE5TJEOiAwe_koM7RRz/s1600-h/pileates+using+tail+support_3039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zHR9QLIs8Q6RU81qnZD1q-RyoEUiFjwAuY8vbgzCXQMo3cZSKYgabEMnazeMSecq6cVPuTSJoDzWl0MT3rT2zNXHGvy42Fqz8-goTQuxK6z-6iIVDnrR8DT4wxE5TJEOiAwe_koM7RRz/s320/pileates+using+tail+support_3039.jpg" /></a><br />
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There are many different butterflies in the area as well. I have seen White Peacocks, Orange Julia’s Zebra’s and Queens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOJ_czh5LI5L9Sq4x5l3AdU9vXmtQKm7UHhOEGJXqoJXjLsBroHU3nEdn4mrc-Bm4vgT6MCcWZLHnUgGNn-PEhLIAFDAB6hPHgTAoaC4xgHyMo8bvjr6K_JhQS6MAd1jwzLDC3EuaJBxx/s1600-h/Phaon+Crescent_3649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOJ_czh5LI5L9Sq4x5l3AdU9vXmtQKm7UHhOEGJXqoJXjLsBroHU3nEdn4mrc-Bm4vgT6MCcWZLHnUgGNn-PEhLIAFDAB6hPHgTAoaC4xgHyMo8bvjr6K_JhQS6MAd1jwzLDC3EuaJBxx/s320/Phaon+Crescent_3649.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>One day when I went out there the field to the right, as you enter was filled with Killdeer all scurrying around looking for food. Another day the field was filled with Great Egrets and their young leaning to find food. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD2fpWRSoht7JcQ-6UuQA49MvIMaAoHsFkBr63WY0G16uBoP02eYc2jXubldA4ciyyglbyS3ueLyu-Xns_OVrhHcOLvKl0BsIXySk5qWC_8TC0YOnQu_I3CnuAQmgyhmoyEQH4WzI0H-6/s1600-h/Looking+back+P1000148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMD2fpWRSoht7JcQ-6UuQA49MvIMaAoHsFkBr63WY0G16uBoP02eYc2jXubldA4ciyyglbyS3ueLyu-Xns_OVrhHcOLvKl0BsIXySk5qWC_8TC0YOnQu_I3CnuAQmgyhmoyEQH4WzI0H-6/s320/Looking+back+P1000148.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>The center does offer guided nature walks and although I have gone on one yet I am considering a full moon walk here in the near future. I have signed up for one) I have done the short nature trail a couple of times and my son does it just about every time we go out there. Sometimes for me it is just too hot so I sit and rock and enjoy. I guess I would enjoy it more if there were more to see besides spiders. There was some talk of a trail expansion so hopefully in the near future...... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFZA09BMexuY2QkcowLi9ivJ93n3rlqiCKvjYyOXa3mQzAy5cUpvvkeR01C5Nesb64Ejxb-xznxGr4xaZuQSKFI_T4qLFWwfueoK_af5Y9xHQBVC18O_ysmhmPfh2qY23PRfIa83GhZZT/s1600-h/last+view+P1000151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFZA09BMexuY2QkcowLi9ivJ93n3rlqiCKvjYyOXa3mQzAy5cUpvvkeR01C5Nesb64Ejxb-xznxGr4xaZuQSKFI_T4qLFWwfueoK_af5Y9xHQBVC18O_ysmhmPfh2qY23PRfIa83GhZZT/s320/last+view+P1000151.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There is an 18,000-square foot nature center building that houses an exhibit hall, educational displays, an interactive replica of an archeological dig pit, an assembly hall, classroom, theater, and a photographs from the famous photographer of Florida's natural wonders, Clyde Butcher. Now to be truthful I haven’t really spent a lot of time inside. I do know that there are rocking chairs and ceiling fans on 3 sides of the outside of this building. It is nice sometime to just<br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">sit and rock and enjoy the serenity of course the inside is air conditioned and great on these hot, hot, days of summer.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RE4EfRBmOX9D1OJ1YN-NaaSRxFAUCXQEoiitm00gSrnoXLAnRBp4Md1AnJ1dILKkve5JDE0YClJYPs_f528UWyX_9Gl-C-uIT1GvVdQa3RNjkX5n6WR5zRb0rcQ0MLNpQE96TqkS2aMH/s1600-h/LongKeyP1010218+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RE4EfRBmOX9D1OJ1YN-NaaSRxFAUCXQEoiitm00gSrnoXLAnRBp4Md1AnJ1dILKkve5JDE0YClJYPs_f528UWyX_9Gl-C-uIT1GvVdQa3RNjkX5n6WR5zRb0rcQ0MLNpQE96TqkS2aMH/s320/LongKeyP1010218+-+Copy.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVojY5FBwbUotEOVWgwDcQwd7vRxtMsViuhtpheGVPCrWGqRhcRfQlmXVkQKLLmQFsDef5X3U1YOAvwhKDE_MEZpynDuQCy3z0O_a_l3Y3xb2Nx0MsW9Yf4eE04_e9wX6iGo-e3oCS7z2/s1600-h/another+viewP1000117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVojY5FBwbUotEOVWgwDcQwd7vRxtMsViuhtpheGVPCrWGqRhcRfQlmXVkQKLLmQFsDef5X3U1YOAvwhKDE_MEZpynDuQCy3z0O_a_l3Y3xb2Nx0MsW9Yf4eE04_e9wX6iGo-e3oCS7z2/s320/another+viewP1000117.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJEf3v46IB5dQs98QzqyaKn-4_GIe4ABuWpW9MD-DHTfIEWSkJUx8261ZGu-N8IoWzQCpQn2rejprkX4OaH3KX4RGYQT5mjdaA6XNbszX-JCtTyb17IyZmnySmgUIYNpU4-wx2LfykGVh/s1600-h/looking+to+the+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJEf3v46IB5dQs98QzqyaKn-4_GIe4ABuWpW9MD-DHTfIEWSkJUx8261ZGu-N8IoWzQCpQn2rejprkX4OaH3KX4RGYQT5mjdaA6XNbszX-JCtTyb17IyZmnySmgUIYNpU4-wx2LfykGVh/s320/looking+to+the+trail.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSTOLfI4s1-SPRbERrCSOjSQ8laaw_EMe6dwKwEjBp43Yu4V1uyP-ZFui9izDptdJhwAH30dQWAd1YexR0Y3PqEFIIO8TPsc-JKHqsSuKXvGSCs3ViTywoc4odKlBqTuDOdzxYVhTzQsv/s1600-h/accrpss+the+pond+P1010317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSTOLfI4s1-SPRbERrCSOjSQ8laaw_EMe6dwKwEjBp43Yu4V1uyP-ZFui9izDptdJhwAH30dQWAd1YexR0Y3PqEFIIO8TPsc-JKHqsSuKXvGSCs3ViTywoc4odKlBqTuDOdzxYVhTzQsv/s320/accrpss+the+pond+P1010317.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-55508056081676236772009-04-21T10:04:00.000-04:002009-05-12T17:48:23.357-04:00A time of Renewal, A time of new life, of being born!<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335051048024425186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPflh5ZN1JXUkmWZAquvgdpQlLhoU00WKlp3VQsDA7HORb2OLlBY4QjrO8HQHqO24kolEEA3AFTtVqkLcCk01dOIuk34_inh4-IQ81qtbvQqEGnyQ770dmnYpk11H3IIEz69f9GlM3vc_g/s320/first+discover+seed_9949.jpg" /> Baby ducks get their first taste of seed.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left">Here in my little corner of Florida the signs of new life begin in January and February with the nesting of the Anhinga and Great Blue Herons. Ospreys also begin nesting in January as well as some other herons and egrets and the doves in my back yard. By spring the wetlands come alive with birds carrying nesting materials and building nests. By late spring early summer there are baby birds everywhere.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335055338051022450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUNYluqPpBBXTNZum3La_xfbB7Zgcuf_WTGM5dsy3g4o1yoRKXUjvPfD_suc5mmz-d4QbhJUa59Weq5EV7jfDFBvMCjN8-VXgcJXjSWUQPwVWtSIv6SRHKaI37NGKxfCMYqNXrWlprGsb/s320/SquwarkGBH_0616.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Young Great Blue Heron wants to be fed!</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335050707579029714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEWnRA5Ff9gTnlmTalFbbg8vwYwV3Uh7uGmYkw9q6hOtSIseYoRRpGgR0XnKPu9Vb5Gag5qAzB8a-dyVXblBDZMcXxEcn4TcuZ2bKz3Jiqex95fr2OEzwBA0sqi4DjDzAKnXnEr71BGKz/s320/dontwan+tobe+GBH_8590.jpg" /></div>So do they. Glad I am not a Great Blue Heron parent.<br /><div align="left"><br />On my last trip to Wakodahatchee some of the Great Blue Heron babies were still in the nest although it was evident that they should be moving on. The parent was ignoring the young ones pleas for food and the young one was harassing the parent to no end. I am sure glad I am not a Great Blue Heron Parent. </div><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335016762736022850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9O27qFMDBc5KWPhNg-79qP2Rk4VTP72y4tSk6yulVDNmEBIrg9Smn2dF536iSXcz2_J845CTJwDD7bZHg5ma3J19Kp1BmIS-cIpMS8euK2oX-yqwiCUIGJO-MBq2WhIlV1xLXlRLYEHy/s320/baby+RWBB+being+fed_0820.jpg" /> </p><p align="center">Baby Red-wing Blackbird gets fed.<br /></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGshCX88y10eGXCR0eg9vITqE7koT9YuaXBKI6eoHr6mvI5AsHRo2a1pwSRItzZ1GneET5tpv3FCuf8Jw3QCg3BBtmYbsAAU8fYF4VN-HXSDmkGX91C8Ql78z-KMgS_fdgYnm0i1RiDWYo/s1600-h/baby+limpkins_1038.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335016018075720674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGshCX88y10eGXCR0eg9vITqE7koT9YuaXBKI6eoHr6mvI5AsHRo2a1pwSRItzZ1GneET5tpv3FCuf8Jw3QCg3BBtmYbsAAU8fYF4VN-HXSDmkGX91C8Ql78z-KMgS_fdgYnm0i1RiDWYo/s200/baby+limpkins_1038.jpg" /></a> Also evident were the baby Red-wing Blackbirds. These are hard to see in the nest as the nest is quite deep and getting any clear pictures was a feat with all the foliage. We did however find one mommy feeding her young and was able to get a few shots of this event. We also baby Moorhens and baby Black-necked Stilts. We were lucky at one point to see a Limpkin fly in and it was bringing home the bacon for its family. This was a very cool sighting.</p><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335053835420437586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVU_VlvUCcgaCH3gqhh0_qoNWBMpHR1KfrWnS7owt2M6KSc_eGSpvUT4bQbmqkXJQQQ-bCB6D6PolOljyoW88pVqZopixim__VdKYIhFpuOR2D-iWJ29KxgRICUr00oi0XTX0nklX85Hu/s320/baby+moorhen_0932.jpg" /></div>Moorehen Chick<br /><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335034428788868226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrIC_k4V2LsmCPLo5b48QuE7EaURMPyA0kNqPysXrNgf6qnPgpR29WQj8j2wCITS6XFnQQvftGSxS2Z2S-EZk_fZdyHXC_8EjaD0kjyTG_OjxnboPpNQiDLwbZf8-VWzBENs2jz1hT4Wz/s320/nests1676.jpg" /> </p>The Rookery<br /><br /><div align="left">There is a little rookery (a colony of breeding birds) at Long Key Nature Center where Great Egrets, Tri-colored Herons and Cattle Egrets nest in spring. I was late getting to it this year and the Great Egrets were already nesting and the eggs were starting to hatch. In fact that day one was hatching out. I have been back every weekend since. It is fun to go and see how things are progressing, although I sometimes get confused. Where I remember there was a nest it seems is no longer there. Where last week I saw eggs in a nest this week nothing is there. I suppose that when I am not there other critters raid the nests and get at the eggs and then the birds move on or try again as my resident doves do. And then there are the Hawks and other predators. I do know that there is a colony of Iguanas that also inhabits this island. Now whether or not the Iguanas eat eggs was unknown to me. Not knowing prompted me to do a search on Google and most responses said that they (the Iguanas) were vegetarians but would eat meat if presented to them and occasionally do enjoy a bird's egg.<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335017724414250082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVoOwsRBL2F1fD-lvQmRNKfnAFMb3PV-h8MlWhTC4bC47A6A62NSMF-VXMvoLKyMOtK3BPphCq4UzNHMNAhGJrQqyaTzrgxq5CgsEHD-3RYJXuTrbX-zAZKngnx-HlsFhCVSaGHvmHCxI/s320/more+baby+great+herons_0156.jpg" /> Great Egret Chicks<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335027126792728722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UN8HSIIg_auZkAi-aKSGPtfGome1s7IZeB99Ga1CJUTdzeTtEqbgJzgUPq2z544NkTp1Q_qILfBhrmfxISDOsH8Mbk7q-chFlkCtBtrgpu4anYoDfE2btFQ1uz0Yvs6afReLoolkhyphenhyphen6N/s320/We+got+chicks_1633.jpg" /></p><div align="center">Tri-colored Heron Chicks<br /></div><br /><div align="left">Last week end I saw some newly hatched Tri-colored Herons. Well I really didn’t see much as they were just laying there in the nest, little grey balls of fluff, while mommy or daddy stood guard. I think that soon some of the Cattle Egrets would soon have babies too. There sure are a lot of them sitting on nests. The nests are staggered so that it reminds me of an apartment complex. In a way I suppose it is.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335025783486344482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjRFBLArxSGQahm0eBTCp0QDq4Uv__OAm7bT0A50cXEZ0kSqxUvMqhbyQfkFW2m0XFUML4cgz1tlhPz7xdBZuysiA74wwG0PdJjWa_l4tQIibfMXr_TVTu2_CfncbAAmAKjVcd8DN-5Jj/s320/more+rookery_2125.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Apartment Living</div></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><div align="left">It is such a pleasure to be able to sit and watch all the activity going on. There are birds flying in and out with nesting material or food for the families. Sometimes there is what appears to be fight between pairs about the placement of the nesting material or some neighbors squabbling over nesting space. Little heads appear in the nest. A parent is turning the eggs. Another parent spreads its wings to shade the young from the hot sun. An Anhinga chick sees something and stretches its neck to try and reach it “Careful Jr. or you will fall out of the nest. Closer to the water there is a pair of Tri-color fledglings getting ready to try to fish for themselves. They will surely be gone next time I go out there. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335043342414796562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpoAIUxi_3VEp5Mj1rSy5KCMaI0-H6aFqbjq0z2TgoijXRetokm8_PHXasdv0aKhd5KDBcyG3EvU4BP_iBJLSjqjYP3u0uATXgxplC67rjj22thFnxMuCvk94bHVv8BS0ynkZz1AuXeNO/s320/still+nesting1614.jpg" /><br />Great Egret Flies in with nesting material.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335024866811855314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW6YmcGXMpQ3Wr6aZihHTVd7Ahdnbt9P1GOOkT0D8cDqzKzalWWBSwrVnmYFieFMKPz3-STR-ch4mndje61XM-OLOfi6tjYO50EuYphjZWix6sGh_77DQKzZu5gIX8w48B1vJUxEESVEb/s320/building+a+nest_2141.jpg" /> Tri-Colored Herons building a nest.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335048508367909026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGeYGxRzaLmZ_U36P0OIbZsXBwyI4wEYtHiGZIyk72SnIufpg3OTb7cpo_4EeueioTCVu9UdUM-G9sMdtpQWzG1wOK6iJ5yl2GdDOaPELQeCkZVqQC81ICjnz5n8hhOkK0ndlazgqfGi-/s320/turning+the+eggs2046.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">Cattle Egret Turns eggs.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335020661944193170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRV2kmrqVj-sgrrK0MYNbcszWCbICzE3tWchygCIrV_2IE2hmGxWKqOGwn0-SBWVjJFmQ9FTXSgz0gCW16FMYdvikJTSmtg8BWZQaCqzjXwYtxXZr7iTmauGi6diWFUZslVs1MWmkCzdy/s320/Tricolor+fledglings_1953.jpg" />Young Tri-colored Fledglings ready to try fishing</div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335020666078816642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTJhmtiS1Wol7_QnDvQwXx9qRELWifQZwUUemqcuL2soPIre9NC1NLRRrCj0ueQve4TqXRPd0KAjVmsUJBm5yLXhaYeNkNor07V1Bi1AohCJjoB8GxEw3IJ_2QPv5AXMOCtAtTBU1YlRw/s320/Careful+Jr.+you+will+fall+out+of+the+nest_1963.jpg" /> Anhinga young reaching for something</div><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><br /><div align="left">This week things are progressing and there is evidence of all stages of nesting activity from nests being built, to nests filled with eggs, to just hatched chicks, to older chicks to fledglings. And believe it or not some of the birds are still showing their beautiful breeding colors. This week also brought our first glimpses of the newly hatched Cattle egrets. To me they look very much like the Great Egret nestlings. I can’t wait to see what next week brings…………………..<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335020660851767938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSSHkeJVRfiv8cBc0MpxsvK9b8EWKKag7ogYOnBNLNmM0rpKLYPR2x-GP0KRK7StaIwYNJ1eafHcLicXsqGHm5njOw6iCK_wnyyS3BVuJTPsIgIQYi56QxD9Dq98iqmbedmUJEz71URSu/s320/chicks_2092.jpg" /><br />Cattle Egret with chicks </div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-30119518927889901102009-04-02T09:22:00.000-04:002009-04-06T22:21:41.216-04:00SIGNS OF SPRING<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321759422618984306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxWU_TZOkrSpuHBW_xYKfg-RtUBBWOtwtS7MKsw2GBSXSbGhZFTWuXB2q37vc1l4NQeHLDD1ol0xijm69Hwh_M3AxoEPEJRuXVwgNDWFD3VrWBPN21unddFjpwA7R5KS5GwpmWadkTomE/s200/RBSS_8978_1w.jpg" border="0" /> Everywhere I go I see the signs of spring in Florida. Wikipedia says Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born. The term is also used more generally as a metaphor for the start of better times, we can only hope!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORv4uJPxB5Mc8X1_CKfb8ibw0Jv81gn_Jd-uXY_NxlDdvtLyMh6yXC37rtrupI0t9Rc2wiWMAEXD4OZcyvDK8-DLgp8327nIE65vlfIWfEkG-aJBv-wcO0aZIR8BCQPLbioQYOSgTUHAA/s1600-h/Hungry+babies_8592w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321759970705345938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORv4uJPxB5Mc8X1_CKfb8ibw0Jv81gn_Jd-uXY_NxlDdvtLyMh6yXC37rtrupI0t9Rc2wiWMAEXD4OZcyvDK8-DLgp8327nIE65vlfIWfEkG-aJBv-wcO0aZIR8BCQPLbioQYOSgTUHAA/s200/Hungry+babies_8592w.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I went to Wakodahatchee and if course the Great Blue herons are well underway in their nesting activities in fact most will be leaving their nest soon the same is true of the Anhinga. <div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPPl83aqqpXyo9-V-mCJxpUfXrWX4r0iP-Kfd-h3GkvgNeIW-tXRnjlibuCdlwYD7BLaoApVPxdwVA0IXeE_R_gw-dbfXrEz-Cfv53wavH-ANjEz0pbTQeqPoBgBvEqBlZem2w86inaVu/s1600-h/Male+redwing+singing_8222.jpg"></a></div><br /><div>Both of these birds tend start early in January and February and by the time the rest of the birds decide <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPPl83aqqpXyo9-V-mCJxpUfXrWX4r0iP-Kfd-h3GkvgNeIW-tXRnjlibuCdlwYD7BLaoApVPxdwVA0IXeE_R_gw-dbfXrEz-Cfv53wavH-ANjEz0pbTQeqPoBgBvEqBlZem2w86inaVu/s1600-h/Male+redwing+singing_8222.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321760303412206290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPPl83aqqpXyo9-V-mCJxpUfXrWX4r0iP-Kfd-h3GkvgNeIW-tXRnjlibuCdlwYD7BLaoApVPxdwVA0IXeE_R_gw-dbfXrEz-Cfv53wavH-ANjEz0pbTQeqPoBgBvEqBlZem2w86inaVu/s200/Male+redwing+singing_8222.jpg" border="0" /></a>to nest the Great Blue Herons are ready to fly the coup so to speak. There is however lots of other activity as the male Red-wing Blackbirds perch and flash their red and chase after the females. The females perch too and some are quite beautiful in their breeding colors.<br /><br />Here too there are signs of Tri-colored Herons trying to attract mates and lots of nest building here too and with the Green Herons and the Cattle Egrets too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XyRvp4wPCPdcMWsWGziCPH7zbBhNgv_cWsLsUZaFLbbS1zvuDJh9kCXxR5hPH2Y7mKolV4OU2SXGtxDqFJa_-QE-tOne3S_ZQk4qD5Hrah3pjUPvQ-e_QmxjqESN24Lw1ixWXt7uk1Gz/s1600-h/bunny_8883w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321760949370136562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XyRvp4wPCPdcMWsWGziCPH7zbBhNgv_cWsLsUZaFLbbS1zvuDJh9kCXxR5hPH2Y7mKolV4OU2SXGtxDqFJa_-QE-tOne3S_ZQk4qD5Hrah3pjUPvQ-e_QmxjqESN24Lw1ixWXt7uk1Gz/s200/bunny_8883w.jpg" border="0" /></a> The March hares were out in force that day and what a treat to see. I got my first good shot of them this time. Usually they are so far away that my camera and lens won't reach them. But this one was busy hunting for food and didn't pay us any attention. We tried to be a quiet as church mice so as not to frighten him off.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhsYJRCANei7zaAmyzmoT3jF31Og6DlS2iYYERPznhJPt16LsC02lKkUM9n6wtNbnkALodlqINe6r9qvm9p9_hkG_KVM6dnRv8MQLsj-sB2C0mYrQeY-dlonrOUhdUUKoC7QLbGSom7ZC/s1600-h/moorhen+nest2_8943.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321762050010490930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhsYJRCANei7zaAmyzmoT3jF31Og6DlS2iYYERPznhJPt16LsC02lKkUM9n6wtNbnkALodlqINe6r9qvm9p9_hkG_KVM6dnRv8MQLsj-sB2C0mYrQeY-dlonrOUhdUUKoC7QLbGSom7ZC/s200/moorhen+nest2_8943.jpg" border="0" /></a>We went to Green Cay as well that day but the signs there are not as clear as they are at Wakodahatchee, although we did see lots of nesting Moorhens. I had never seen their nest before and they were quite out in the open and seem to have a runway entrance. The way the reeds are bent they look like baskets from the right angle.<br /><br />Not too many warblers around but the Purple Martins were busy as bees at both locations.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBcm_L_j1FDKDsevxdqy2hM4ENjwtcQPAjMFRyO5dNOERhhd1j7HrR9LSUlpCIRMPqMYH7sy6UXkLHbgXfo3Rh5Rxuqy_c7CEVf9gefcxGqRevB4TKoqHelI-rRyOjZtSbgcV1U-EzSvv/s1600-h/Great+Egret_9290_1W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321761605668350194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBcm_L_j1FDKDsevxdqy2hM4ENjwtcQPAjMFRyO5dNOERhhd1j7HrR9LSUlpCIRMPqMYH7sy6UXkLHbgXfo3Rh5Rxuqy_c7CEVf9gefcxGqRevB4TKoqHelI-rRyOjZtSbgcV1U-EzSvv/s200/Great+Egret_9290_1W.jpg" border="0" /></a>The following weekend we went out to a local natural area and we were treated to lots of nesting activity and displaying by the Great Egrets there. How beautiful were those green patches are and the displaying of feathers was fantastic. Here there were Tricolored Herons and several Anhingas; I also noticed one Green Heron and a couple of Little Blues. Not to mention the Red-wings black birds and the Boat-tailed Grackles. As if this wasn't enough we were treated to glimpses of a new born Great Egret.............First Born and just a ball of fluff with a very big beak. </div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321762604889237586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXzSUR4gFL4rYE5xCJLOxVAFi8hfXHMa23R-arHfJ8Ucmv1Y-KCNR6Zh1BLHsSSnynntj8Fnl7zBjaVcrhmCOQuiyxjFCLBnVpToSYdr9EOoZBsfJzlLxHdj5LTqkec2NOjVie91QAKbr/s200/baby+Great+Egret_9359_1W_1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5H3Y92vD43oCF_EvYEVDrZkhL0JxIz9sz_ovby-m7qIiohwQXtTr00Pfb5Coj4Y2myeH5hGgnse8pXTXzrJ2kYLapeFyyF-p0lPUJeEezdaqJMRkW9GrlWcD5dADs4tZpKQYg58vEeFs/s1600-h/but+MOM+_9807.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321765483069306482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5H3Y92vD43oCF_EvYEVDrZkhL0JxIz9sz_ovby-m7qIiohwQXtTr00Pfb5Coj4Y2myeH5hGgnse8pXTXzrJ2kYLapeFyyF-p0lPUJeEezdaqJMRkW9GrlWcD5dADs4tZpKQYg58vEeFs/s200/but+MOM+_9807.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We went back to Long Key this weekend and the newborn Egret has to siblings and it looks like he was complaining to his mom about them. The neighbor’s two are about a week or so older and they are starting to flap their wings. It should be interesting around there for a while with all the nests that are in this Rookery.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLVQC3qF_IpTyn1QqyV9zoSlhK_3wiTmgoJ1no1G7ctRz0mF1l1LhgWCC_owD9ukQ_Mx2jbBKCAErD4oUkgEacwbtbNbvZ57ZWFt59osc1YOTp07lNeFBQBbWfHffikWxFiuNehk2csw0/s1600-h/baby+Great+Egrets+3+weeks+old_9760_1W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321764086872596210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLVQC3qF_IpTyn1QqyV9zoSlhK_3wiTmgoJ1no1G7ctRz0mF1l1LhgWCC_owD9ukQ_Mx2jbBKCAErD4oUkgEacwbtbNbvZ57ZWFt59osc1YOTp07lNeFBQBbWfHffikWxFiuNehk2csw0/s200/baby+Great+Egrets+3+weeks+old_9760_1W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK2QE1OZnD6i06WBwRyD5aCe9_p3SKX9b2_-UE0I_S4lvkTPVognvvwqS7Z5Pp3kig8i0_CLLNwSdwuvKguEJZK7fHlszldXaQ65IOjIXwY4DJDHrumx_LXhFi03ElxYC62Nq28DwGrit/s1600-h/brothers+n+sisters_1W.jpg"></a>Now that I think about nesting or courting is probably what that pair of shrikes was up to at Chapel Trail a couple of weeks ago. At Flamingo Gardens I saw that the Sandhill Cranes have two eggs. They built their nest (if you want to call it that) on higher ground this year. </div><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6gzlnHQoSuCfEhOnZGLQPw_t-yEp05jeWR8omIZmBGHgLwB1TDhb4SUDsbASlW2icroaRW-6B28zu7VFlRPhJwZkV8KeIA2GJzg5-vfAKaj9X_N9Z6Hx55sLKWeD9oeTjcg3_t5vpbPX/s1600-h/Look+who+has+eggs_9545_1W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321764596656174738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6gzlnHQoSuCfEhOnZGLQPw_t-yEp05jeWR8omIZmBGHgLwB1TDhb4SUDsbASlW2icroaRW-6B28zu7VFlRPhJwZkV8KeIA2GJzg5-vfAKaj9X_N9Z6Hx55sLKWeD9oeTjcg3_t5vpbPX/s200/Look+who+has+eggs_9545_1W.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last year the rains swept their nest away. This year as well as being on higher ground they seem to be using the tree roots as a confining space for the eggs rather then build a nest. Also I notic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe_Gd1rxVkIAAqVvDhYPhfuEEof5EVIFxnyHz2wL17kcdIAfw2PXFLLa3WkqmaSADM0_wmu9YqxNw6Unu3rr575Hj36cprt8X8Ywlk3_4UrqpegVRMNdF8um6EHcoO8ku2xYN73_uyjws/s1600-h/sitting+on+eggs9596_1W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321764969756576162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFe_Gd1rxVkIAAqVvDhYPhfuEEof5EVIFxnyHz2wL17kcdIAfw2PXFLLa3WkqmaSADM0_wmu9YqxNw6Unu3rr575Hj36cprt8X8Ywlk3_4UrqpegVRMNdF8um6EHcoO8ku2xYN73_uyjws/s200/sitting+on+eggs9596_1W.jpg" border="0" /></a>ed the Female Egyptian Goose lying in the grass and her mate standing watch. Now I don’t know if she is sitting on eggs or just sitting and resting. I sure hope no one bother here there if she is in fact nesting. She is right along the path and I can just see the kids running to pet her or chase her. .<br /><br />Along with all the birding activity I am seeing more butterflies and dragonflies around. There are lots of flowering shrubs and trees in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWdH7selbQTS9aA2EBbV7dI8xetKDW-m2jwCQeLqO4BlFKQCLncTWchdBf1ci-272sEfzjRbPzih7Y29phpb2_DzAvGRepYxAhJrzb9WDVQJj-HI2TjDh09tf__V7G4bIkOkFYlcw-4zM/s1600-h/Halloween+Pennant_9774a_1W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321766173133129554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWdH7selbQTS9aA2EBbV7dI8xetKDW-m2jwCQeLqO4BlFKQCLncTWchdBf1ci-272sEfzjRbPzih7Y29phpb2_DzAvGRepYxAhJrzb9WDVQJj-HI2TjDh09tf__V7G4bIkOkFYlcw-4zM/s200/Halloween+Pennant_9774a_1W.jpg" border="0" /></a>bloom I just love those yellow flowers on the Yellow Tabebuia tree, although I haven’t taken any pictures of them this year. Another Favorite is the Shaving Brush Tree. I am not sure <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B8Jys6dFzoanRiPqS9monriX1AD3BhZ-On29lIwuzORBPjSVpcUxhtRjJV6Nrx4S2G_ETSpZsLi_goHamFNLlUhk3p01vykWEnmiUprlygcSg_mDprVYHoW6kCWL1hdQdqJI-Oy7E77Z/s1600-h/Malachite+Butterfly+9644_1W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321765893344139970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4B8Jys6dFzoanRiPqS9monriX1AD3BhZ-On29lIwuzORBPjSVpcUxhtRjJV6Nrx4S2G_ETSpZsLi_goHamFNLlUhk3p01vykWEnmiUprlygcSg_mDprVYHoW6kCWL1hdQdqJI-Oy7E77Z/s200/Malachite+Butterfly+9644_1W.jpg" border="0" /></a>which I like better about this plant is it the delicate pink flowers of the way the five petals curl up and the bud opens. Now that I am thinking about it I have quite a few favorites like the Angel’s Trumpet, the African Tulip Trees, The Autograph Tree and who can resist the Jacarandas when they are in bloom, or the Royal Poinciana’s regal display. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321766492268448674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5-TMUmfLqpzx0bLd8zOVFhFAOf256RC7SaZfxQMxH9psGCsm-iJvdkycWl-LWwXsA8mKFvQrGo2KpHj_oHNjWpO4m-Ef2KBzuJN6qIEkORq3PZD_JUmW7_b-x2JRFxBL4LN0dr73z8UA/s200/shaving+brush+tree_9627.jpg" border="0" /> OK enough about trees but it’s all out there if you stop and look and take the time to stop and smell the roses and you will be amazed at what great wonders Mother Nature has to offer. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321768209047737202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5CDIjHZsEUbDqAtWWBPbtfX2X1UKroMLm0GIkLH7DZEPCIrSJJ_OkT9Fmzbaa2Bp4Ee3Nq1HOpqlU7byDFICI8kWO7FGzuAqTykreJsWbT_MS8vgbuKgqUbP90qqY_cbZv8DwKHpV056/s320/RWBB+nest_8698_1.jpg" border="0" />Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-13685816795534184082009-02-17T09:57:00.001-05:002009-02-25T19:46:39.327-05:00The GBBCWell I started to write this blog about something else then I became involved in the <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc">GBBC.</a> Because I was having so much fun trying to count backyard birds at home and at work I thought why not write about it.<br /><br />What is the <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc">GBBC</a> you ask? <em>The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.</em><br /><br />Now this was only my second time trying this. Last year being my first and I didn’t get much at all a few Eurasian –collared Doves a Starling or two and a couple of Mockers. Of course I live in a condo and we are not allowed to put up bird feeders, so I have to work with what will fly into my yard and I have had a few <a href="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/gallery/443770_LPzs9/1/17854563_PtGXf">yardbirds</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeopw42vzP10Fm34QFUrfdiDw-WojW4EZ819HlVH__TQdEf4hUQroZFqjp_WKGl_SJVqEu-8kjYsT7ZkMhTTPQXfrvm6hFn4J1Zmnp1i5sdnGt5AtwIJmWtUtDG_ewE2bD_YNjhxxI0rT/s1600-h/LakeduckP1010081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306510755151316706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeopw42vzP10Fm34QFUrfdiDw-WojW4EZ819HlVH__TQdEf4hUQroZFqjp_WKGl_SJVqEu-8kjYsT7ZkMhTTPQXfrvm6hFn4J1Zmnp1i5sdnGt5AtwIJmWtUtDG_ewE2bD_YNjhxxI0rT/s200/LakeduckP1010081.jpg" border="0" /></a>This year at home on the first day I got 5 ECD's 3 Starlings, 1 Mocking bird. Boring!!! At work I decide to check out the pond across the street. I have seen all kinds of birds flying around there. It’s not exactly the best place as there have been some homeless <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu-pqJWB-I3Mz5yLyXc8MK8r_JJ4BVK_p8VHu7OBNNKRX8l7pkQe1nZlZDe9wkFTs4zrcrDvMjUoPq3P3ZTJkjfcCuE9WeIe47g8jbm-zBsZ7tR331PHcOLjA8wQbaQYO4_Z4oepGdKFR/s1600-h/gull+Island+P1010077.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306511091141774034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu-pqJWB-I3Mz5yLyXc8MK8r_JJ4BVK_p8VHu7OBNNKRX8l7pkQe1nZlZDe9wkFTs4zrcrDvMjUoPq3P3ZTJkjfcCuE9WeIe47g8jbm-zBsZ7tR331PHcOLjA8wQbaQYO4_Z4oepGdKFR/s200/gull+Island+P1010077.jpg" border="0" /></a>people and I think some drug deals going down and one a naked man came running out of the bushes one morning. I got a friend to go with me and it has been quiet there for a while now and I have wanted to see what was in there for the longest time. I saw 1 Anhinga. 6 Double crested Cormorants, 3 Muscovy Ducks, 1 Palm Warbler, a bunch of gulls which I can’t ID not the greatest list but not too bad for the area.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div></div><div>We use to see more warblers around the office but ever since hurricane Wilma I don't see them anymore. Usually there are a few house sparrows but haven't seen them lately either.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FTPHBfRbZUuqvt3Kxk3TuFjAEjmwUwKZlZX1cWkJLfm_AWoVXr7q_BKUArS7kRZdxDFeQLHJbaxaYtmeuoKmhCnQ-ZJGdgv9xC3tM8yXopCxyY6u_CE4Q1elmNVmK6NDQMCfkvSSuZQN/s1600-h/White+IBIS_6401.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306509140678140050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FTPHBfRbZUuqvt3Kxk3TuFjAEjmwUwKZlZX1cWkJLfm_AWoVXr7q_BKUArS7kRZdxDFeQLHJbaxaYtmeuoKmhCnQ-ZJGdgv9xC3tM8yXopCxyY6u_CE4Q1elmNVmK6NDQMCfkvSSuZQN/s200/White+IBIS_6401.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On Saturday the second day of the <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc">GBBC</a> at home I got 5 ECD's 3 Starlings, 1 Mocker and about 50 White ibis that landed on the rooftop of the condo across the square. I wish I had had my camera ready as they proceeded to one at a time jump off the roof and slowly descend into the little park below. . A short time later my son says <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw3jCCDzQ7Xey4_NGiEw4SjetaM35Q7Pi-CLbd5cgVODHugiGpswr4CV5FesyBa3NSo8uY4nQRu7d9IkE-9bc3dC_6jSaaeiCGJIpCOWJbMrJPXLfKePQBRNaHIlLzMTMDPSbCLD-aae5/s1600-h/Wheeeeeeeee_6426.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306508706665993586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 138px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw3jCCDzQ7Xey4_NGiEw4SjetaM35Q7Pi-CLbd5cgVODHugiGpswr4CV5FesyBa3NSo8uY4nQRu7d9IkE-9bc3dC_6jSaaeiCGJIpCOWJbMrJPXLfKePQBRNaHIlLzMTMDPSbCLD-aae5/s200/Wheeeeeeeee_6426.jpg" border="0" /></a>they are back and sure enough they are all over the ground in my square. I took a few photos 20 or30 to be exact. I was so happy that they decided to land in my back yard on this second day of the <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc">GBBC</a>.<br /><br />So after the photo shoot I went back <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1NKVk7aM1mPchay0X39fIsy1MyT_N7FTLfqsr4leVVQh8dX18_xSEbApKwyrf7o4moQ3LWXF2PDS_J2_-MTX7w83UIAnsmdUajf7bCnrHF-gwaCYIPFtPYcy7mXkLCcUM8UJ5AFMIJin/s1600-h/You+want+us+to+do+what_6418.jpg"></a>to my dishes when I see them all taking flight and heading toward my condo and I go out and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK5CzQVMNxtNXick9KCiBWwyomqjvCyDNLbDQLXznrpdgMQIKV1DYeMEtMzsxYd8KZ-pfLxyv7Uui6bYLGxvLD09TdhwPxufPsDl6qy1eKK6tiEJa4Ia_DrLEbuAs2AWgUo71GOono6_x/s1600-h/Touch+Down_6407.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306510349222276642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK5CzQVMNxtNXick9KCiBWwyomqjvCyDNLbDQLXznrpdgMQIKV1DYeMEtMzsxYd8KZ-pfLxyv7Uui6bYLGxvLD09TdhwPxufPsDl6qy1eKK6tiEJa4Ia_DrLEbuAs2AWgUo71GOono6_x/s200/Touch+Down_6407.jpg" border="0" /></a>they are landing on my roof. I walk to the end of the cat walk and they are jumping of my roof and landing on the ground in front roof the office/recreation room. As I am trying to photograph this I hear a noise on the overhang roof and as I turn my head a bird takes flight to the ground then another then another and I am trying frantically to capture this. I am really pumped up now about this <a href="http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc">GBBC</a>. </div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>Hummmmmmmmmmm maybe I should go somewhere tomorrow to count the birds. Now where to go to get the most bang for my buck? I put the question to my son and right off he wants to go to Delray to Green Cay his favorite spot. OK so not exactly what I had in mind as I was thinking of someplace closer to home but OK . I do afterall I consider all of Florida my back yard and Green Cay is only 45 minutes away.<br /><br />So on Sunday we got up early and headed north to Delray Beach, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAFOemRWqcclqwIKp5eW3pWqkWXX-qmYTX7khAokWyJYkC41TIgbxW_rEJmBjn1v6IpZ4Qbx3zrfu8_QN9Pag2q9EII9hmBwXkuiX_u7mT59gFqB1PUO-uLQVCx5yRP_TMby3G6ss5VJU/s1600-h/foggy+morning2+sm+6442.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306515351652998962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAFOemRWqcclqwIKp5eW3pWqkWXX-qmYTX7khAokWyJYkC41TIgbxW_rEJmBjn1v6IpZ4Qbx3zrfu8_QN9Pag2q9EII9hmBwXkuiX_u7mT59gFqB1PUO-uLQVCx5yRP_TMby3G6ss5VJU/s200/foggy+morning2+sm+6442.jpg" border="0" /></a>First stop Wakodahatchee Wetlands. It was a foggy morning so the pictures are a little dark but what a beautiful site to see first thing on the morning. Fog and birds everywhere and first thing I notice is all the Cattle Egrets surrounding the three Great blue Herons nesting in this shrubby. There are also some Anhingas in here as well but most are in another area where the GBH use to nest as did the Cattle Egrets. The Hurricanes in the past have taken a toll on this rookery but the Anhinga still make the most of it and so does one GBH.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmaeQZiGjTaLAjTdHLDLoBMll4Qh74vpnweKRLMdtw6E5wR3X6YoLGk1vAxGKJMMqPqrMfIXC9CY9EYjoo9NAlQBGmr_yqW9RjDY1TMuCV7UBfuWxqObzh4PIdJcHKj-WRKe0lDRUV21f/s1600-h/Gatherer_6514aW.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306516020676293746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmaeQZiGjTaLAjTdHLDLoBMll4Qh74vpnweKRLMdtw6E5wR3X6YoLGk1vAxGKJMMqPqrMfIXC9CY9EYjoo9NAlQBGmr_yqW9RjDY1TMuCV7UBfuWxqObzh4PIdJcHKj-WRKe0lDRUV21f/s200/Gatherer_6514aW.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Of course we see and photograph a lot of birds but the highlight was a Great Blue Heron collection nesting material. It walked around picking up a piece here and there but none seemed to meet his needs. Then it struggled with this huge branch pulling and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1VnucADk6DgpMJw01pfQR07mP1anne3GjRgNuhqu_Aexs0OblUl5_thv_AaCr7JDgqIiDk6GupLfn3Q2kosGAQm5kVlSQpub2ppnd2O6HP7GwtJ0HoLX1QeU3Nh324Fu7-L_48QcNvyc/s1600-h/photo_6172.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306517464654394914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1VnucADk6DgpMJw01pfQR07mP1anne3GjRgNuhqu_Aexs0OblUl5_thv_AaCr7JDgqIiDk6GupLfn3Q2kosGAQm5kVlSQpub2ppnd2O6HP7GwtJ0HoLX1QeU3Nh324Fu7-L_48QcNvyc/s200/photo_6172.jpg" border="0" /></a>tugging at it to free it. It moved it around but then seemed to think twice about it and picked up a smaller piece. Which he soon discarded and went back to the large branch. He once again moved it around and then when satisfied he had it right it started running. I thought “he will never make it off the ground” but he did and flew back to the nest where all the photographers were waiting with cameras ready to capture this event.<br /><br />After Wakodahatchee Wetlands we went over to Green Cay. Here we walked around for 3 hours enjoying the sights and sounds. (Well except for the walkers and talkers. If you bird you know what I mean) We saw all the usual <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f2i7330AEozxrtH-sQJM1UlqBSX16KOAc8WytYwCvXxl9sve7GXRqA_4feA-FzgYQW7xl6rEySaSD8H2jmO26I16d9b6qm6mrcoXLoOMc-v6IFMwS5ffY2Xe91FURGU_BEmJMkNxVeOc/s1600-h/Hummer_6833W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306518068721371970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f2i7330AEozxrtH-sQJM1UlqBSX16KOAc8WytYwCvXxl9sve7GXRqA_4feA-FzgYQW7xl6rEySaSD8H2jmO26I16d9b6qm6mrcoXLoOMc-v6IFMwS5ffY2Xe91FURGU_BEmJMkNxVeOc/s200/Hummer_6833W.jpg" border="0" /></a>suspects and the highlight at this wetland area took place as we were walking in. My son said all your flowers are in bloom and we stopped to admire them and I tried to take a couple of pictures when my son spotted a humming bird but before we could focus on it was gone. We waited quietly and located it as it had only moved back into a tree to wait. When all the walkers had gone by it came back for another drink, this time I saw it’s little ruby throat so small it must be an immature hummer. I still didn’t get a shot as it moved so fast from flower to flower and again disappearing to that distant tree to wait till the passerby’s had gone and he came back again. This time I was successful at getting two decent shots, which was good because although we waited a little bit longer he didn’t come back and he wasn’t waiting on that distant tree either. So, on this birding excursion I got my first decent shot of a hummer. Now I am hooked on Hummers.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I had planned to list all the birds seen that day but it would take up too much space. Let's just saw we saw a lot of birds but nothing really unusual or rare. We did see lots of wading birds and some were nesting and had babies already. One of the biggest finds for me was seeing three Wilson's Snipes at the same time. A bird I usually only see one off at any given time. I didn't get the picture however as they were to far away and there were too many tree branches in the way to get a clear shot.<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bSjhTfxP6RwwYp55tol11ZXuURxgO4v6xrzHIEnSgeoaQvKI56smi2NiHuhM7pwFCZxEbMGzFIg6IGLh-Sg8TsxaUfV7uVf7h1-y41bTF23vWNN6jd7vjiigTsD89edomR429L-r8Knl/s1600-h/PMartins_6937W.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306535698407395330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bSjhTfxP6RwwYp55tol11ZXuURxgO4v6xrzHIEnSgeoaQvKI56smi2NiHuhM7pwFCZxEbMGzFIg6IGLh-Sg8TsxaUfV7uVf7h1-y41bTF23vWNN6jd7vjiigTsD89edomR429L-r8Knl/s200/PMartins_6937W.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>There were lots of Purple Martins flying around and checking out the new Martin housing. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>The Boat-tailed Grackles and the Red-winged blackbirds were busy trying to attract mates and some were gathering nesting materials. </div></div><div> </div><div><div>We saw Herons and Egrets and both White & Glossy Ibis. Lots of Blue-winged Teals and more Grebes then you could shake a stick at. There were Red-bellied Woodpeckers and Red-shouldered Hawks and a stray Warbler or two.<br /></div><div>It's always a pleasure to go to these places as the views always change. There is always something going one and always pleanty of birds or other wildlife to see. You have to keep your eyes and ears pealed because you never know what will visit these bird rich wetlands!<br /><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306898832781480770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpvekTQMyUXj48LnvwkA6IXtnRKTL-UZAU6qV0deneWWcsmYeBBxxRUfKE-4qTmMxkxNXbhLtin4qmr_eZAxcv5d4kkaZgPF3OhKUGFqlSXxt9efEMkhNo1G4HdwLJw35Ht-1lui68JXA/s320/Glossy_6626W.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306899098296211602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf2oFg_3DvI9PC6mDCpfbGhOxXUBjUd1PP6BOyn1FkIaA4QxMZHcLCz8AjmV2x2mW4PUzneP7Xw_qr1XKtqEg5sBybbvn8SK2E-CExkF-mmXi3wxOg-FfORBepqrcs0YDSbIky-RbA34W/s320/GreenHeron_6685aW.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306899489441843282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidATgMqYyw4YcNbBHa5ekoX7AVKtpeoeItAeoRSfNeZPh442spUJIfAvyzWwFwr2XxVLU2H_3lMyGmwnzchryqJAxCTcQpCj139uvIuGZLfHA5jLjWHPem7jKbBHkKB4gSsqIl2WyxfwMJ/s320/Great+Egret+6653aW.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306899879172190338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTBaLceQn_KnRMkdPuFMHYUoc8TAu7XxmufHNgLoQRkSQYBI8vn3FRfK0oiAAqANbq9GB9eUV6qHQ4AysgQIGmE9l8egL2XpGMH-7yOTF12rscztDd4MRCM4AUP-cO1-NQGAwxQatF3VC/s320/W-Anhinga_6732aW.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306900236438182802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfwioPso-H4xNpEeRYCQ8Qy7nIIVuuowp6ekrJfEFv9F-eRyNB_KJKO5a-9bKgqXim_kfdH2gEmq0Hy4i-tD_cZQpHdEhkDL3eoFne2mmOaHVFeuXMoA-fB_ry82Ppa5_63LbQRtihWgS/s320/Palm+Warbler_6735aW.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-25411830924133208962009-01-20T16:01:00.000-05:002009-01-28T09:59:49.906-05:00THE BIRDING VACATIONI had vacation time to use before the anniversary of my hire date and my birthday was coming up as well, so decided it would be a "Birding Vacation" I decided to get out of Broward to do some birding. But where to go? So I posted on some of the birding lists and asked for some of the best places to bird in their respective areas. I have to tell you the response was over whelming and I wished I had had more time to explore all the wonderful sites that were suggested to me. I was given all kinds of sites to visit with suggestions on what to look for at certain sites on my planned route. I had some idea of what I wanted to do. I would go up one side of the state then cross the state and down the other side and back across to home. Thus I planned my trip accordingly.<br /><br />Seeing as I usually bird in West Palm Beach I left out that area <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbBDQpEyGFYx9sAP75oFqvm0YNihmZgcbL9PLoq_XqmeCjtql1hrV-oKR_VKquAH3FpQRLN38bUhovOz9F0qAoZ9Tj7zCwsb8qYHfABOZMSXvPdOCRhvm1lm6TCcAm_oevTKNB8fg6xsJ/s1600-h/VW2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295768926358939586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbBDQpEyGFYx9sAP75oFqvm0YNihmZgcbL9PLoq_XqmeCjtql1hrV-oKR_VKquAH3FpQRLN38bUhovOz9F0qAoZ9Tj7zCwsb8qYHfABOZMSXvPdOCRhvm1lm6TCcAm_oevTKNB8fg6xsJ/s200/VW2.jpg" border="0" /></a>making the first stop <a href="http://www.brevardcounty.us/environmental_management/VieraWetlands-Home.cfm">Viera Wetlands</a> in Melbourne, FL . I must say I was <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyNYFDrzFstuhCYFrKy4MyTuDsXw0WSJSACBJi1MeXkRpkfZH57VWlDQWD4g0Tqo7m5Q3sl8xqGRxxa4WlwS59c7BUq1_NnM4UmIooohBuQnQEyU6wA6TLlhITED3Amq1QJc5_bomRNZo/s1600-h/VW1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296152383198951266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyNYFDrzFstuhCYFrKy4MyTuDsXw0WSJSACBJi1MeXkRpkfZH57VWlDQWD4g0Tqo7m5Q3sl8xqGRxxa4WlwS59c7BUq1_NnM4UmIooohBuQnQEyU6wA6TLlhITED3Amq1QJc5_bomRNZo/s200/VW1.jpg" border="0" /></a>quite impressed and will have to do it again one day and allow more time to do it in. It was kind of confusing to drive around and be sure you covered everything but I think we did. Here at Viera I got my first and second lifer of the trip. The first one was a Crested Caracara that flew over and I finally found again in a pine tree. The second were several sightings of Hooded Mergansers. Of course I couldn't get close enough to either one to get anything but <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpbkGweN7vzXj6IbadNkSrleosQwQAqNPy16lVcORNy6NsktyRuOijTu3NXcVaOMk7eTlSxe-hYhTL19AmWC313hPs7iDbRPD-FEj7JzKLo4pfcOsDYzbzBO5tuaGJWwH51g1uZY7lAjq/s1600-h/coon+pair_5709.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296153088296341154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpbkGweN7vzXj6IbadNkSrleosQwQAqNPy16lVcORNy6NsktyRuOijTu3NXcVaOMk7eTlSxe-hYhTL19AmWC313hPs7iDbRPD-FEj7JzKLo4pfcOsDYzbzBO5tuaGJWwH51g1uZY7lAjq/s200/coon+pair_5709.jpg" border="0" /></a>ID pictures of these lifers. But I did get some good looks at both. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYNBgX3wo2M-VuSPZOOaA7SYSzNlmD3QQ7_xsProDadeHR9O2ZlGlE6WFoEpvbjAcSoVXIKe6Ugct_caYXD2CytnSOTeZNH9Ne3N9jPGdbxTtzW_Htp22e05AY4kyWLBjFXmZZSvFOs2F/s1600-h/Cattle+Egret_5724.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295769462806084114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYNBgX3wo2M-VuSPZOOaA7SYSzNlmD3QQ7_xsProDadeHR9O2ZlGlE6WFoEpvbjAcSoVXIKe6Ugct_caYXD2CytnSOTeZNH9Ne3N9jPGdbxTtzW_Htp22e05AY4kyWLBjFXmZZSvFOs2F/s200/Cattle+Egret_5724.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Other birds seen were the usual GBH, Limpkin, Great Egret, A nice raft of Coots, lots of Cattle Egrets, a Snowy or two or three and several alligators, Oh and pair of Raccoons. We also saw several Palm Warblers and an Eastern Phoebe a few Anhingas some sporting breeding colors and Red-bellied Woodpecker. There were other hawks flying around but I didn't get good looks or pictures. I did recognize one Red Shouldered and one I thought might be a snail Kite. Oh an something I am still trying to ID.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaJ6i4nIPduQ7D_j3vWecf_LpnVoRlvVEFETImVKvLX8qgV3A8-3wMnAILIj-n_XJ-2UwryzXSI3I1gg1SSje0eQYPTnQxi5yQnJGfpWh1p8LH-veFLbWOWPwIihyphenhyphenfDaer4cKGpj_ooho/s1600-h/limpkin+5717.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295770200244255442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 164px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaJ6i4nIPduQ7D_j3vWecf_LpnVoRlvVEFETImVKvLX8qgV3A8-3wMnAILIj-n_XJ-2UwryzXSI3I1gg1SSje0eQYPTnQxi5yQnJGfpWh1p8LH-veFLbWOWPwIihyphenhyphenfDaer4cKGpj_ooho/s200/limpkin+5717.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YHnPg9kOozOfSjLTN0QstbVXdrrN2_A-Wi-Qm_nTDdcHzdxXG1XF2fHzDurQ19SZN6OyFEIS84HefvWKtrOiUDrGXhMyVCDpOXNsFYvPFwfnycEz9Z4FQNmBYTPIz66rGwvDS0gGquf5/s1600-h/Crested+Caracara_5773.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295770798072104018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 204px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YHnPg9kOozOfSjLTN0QstbVXdrrN2_A-Wi-Qm_nTDdcHzdxXG1XF2fHzDurQ19SZN6OyFEIS84HefvWKtrOiUDrGXhMyVCDpOXNsFYvPFwfnycEz9Z4FQNmBYTPIz66rGwvDS0gGquf5/s200/Crested+Caracara_5773.jpg" border="0" /></a>After leaving Viera Wetlands we headed to our next destination. Merritt Island but first we needed lunch, so we stopped at Burger King for Whopper Jrs. (not exactly on my diet but___). We parked on the Causeway and ate while watching the seagulls, Brown Pelican and a Killdeer. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpP2hsoUvQaGBzP4cOqVLcGEcKjQlTPKdWqirDSQzzVrhNKtpltBte97cVgUAvBABdUTwp-S3UPmob-_SEma8ZbnbEQ_ONyP4yQS8JAtTfOJWxzur-nzKBs8cQTU6W35kVI3ajfrpocWI/s1600-h/Too+far+out5841.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295771591901698610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpP2hsoUvQaGBzP4cOqVLcGEcKjQlTPKdWqirDSQzzVrhNKtpltBte97cVgUAvBABdUTwp-S3UPmob-_SEma8ZbnbEQ_ONyP4yQS8JAtTfOJWxzur-nzKBs8cQTU6W35kVI3ajfrpocWI/s200/Too+far+out5841.jpg" border="0" /></a>Now I have been waiting for a long time to get back to <a href="http://www.fws.gov/merrittisland/">Merritt Island </a>and I must say I was sadly disappointed. The ducks were so far out and too hard to distinguish without a scope. My poor bins just didn't cut it and forget the pictures. Now was this<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW2uVJ4ahKMp0gU_v6caEKH5rYayXuRLLWizSMgkW7lOgk0hJgr3FPmrMQT7LFMSznORQtiVwSLqAgaSqZDOn44t7eO7SEKXHwMLwdXSo1ZggA-BDZtXvpshBu5-BFrhZ8CPBwnH1-PYc/s1600-h/MI1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295772248620558162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW2uVJ4ahKMp0gU_v6caEKH5rYayXuRLLWizSMgkW7lOgk0hJgr3FPmrMQT7LFMSznORQtiVwSLqAgaSqZDOn44t7eO7SEKXHwMLwdXSo1ZggA-BDZtXvpshBu5-BFrhZ8CPBwnH1-PYc/s200/MI1.jpg" border="0" /></a> because of the time of year??? Was the water higher or lower? This time was mid January last time 2 years ago late February or March, but the last time I was there the birds were closer and I didn't need bins to ID most of them and there were way more birds. There was someone else there also complaining. What's up? This time I only saw 4 Rosette Spoonbills’ as opposed to a whole stream full the last time. This time I only saw one White Pelican and last time there was a huge flock of them. There were a lot of Avocets but so far out that I didn't even recognize them. I did snap some pictures and was able once I got home to ID them. Lifers here were the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf0ZKs9GqP9mXhFtuXMQb2BSA9OiVZ4yz2q0scPkFF8-zquhEqnZo5f4ld0Vr8HVnOHg6pO1syZkH5Eah24n7D_msNQtuW3TjaXqadJ_FgOW9hsRgdQEzlSpdyUWAhSP0cRIvKoTNaXHG/s1600-h/Plant_5985.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295773113747076706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf0ZKs9GqP9mXhFtuXMQb2BSA9OiVZ4yz2q0scPkFF8-zquhEqnZo5f4ld0Vr8HVnOHg6pO1syZkH5Eah24n7D_msNQtuW3TjaXqadJ_FgOW9hsRgdQEzlSpdyUWAhSP0cRIvKoTNaXHG/s200/Plant_5985.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCulBrUp_-KBGq0IbPbwV_i-CNyOJ0Dw3OK3qLLSJm_ciYKV4esx1WRqsNsbl8cBd6U6G9_v0O99rx6U7EOoFHnHy-CRRmJLQTAaKziH3g34fZDYr3vo_xuSBo05QEbPjCnk9rplfvhAD/s1600-h/buckeye+Butterfly_5917.jpg"></a>American Widgeon and the Grasshopper Sparrow. We did see a Snipe both days out in the beginning. I should have taken more time to note the stops but I didn't think to do it. Other birds seen were Ibis both white and glossy, Tri-colored Herons, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, a Little Blue, Eagles & Osprey, a Lesser Yellow Legs, Grebes, a few Killdeer, Least Terns, Gulls, and Black Skimmers and one lone White Pelican. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZyDWMLybnBtm1I1euxgsfw7weSInSNkU6As16Su5tIQ7ZZVI3hYCCuhq248WouSZTRGUO-PONoYBOUnT9zKakuYvmfEeeFyuk6_Vbt9dRU0jm7_1U5-C3k2TDzitt2IwsZnU1LuE3s57/s1600-h/mixture_5969.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295773442573831522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZyDWMLybnBtm1I1euxgsfw7weSInSNkU6As16Su5tIQ7ZZVI3hYCCuhq248WouSZTRGUO-PONoYBOUnT9zKakuYvmfEeeFyuk6_Vbt9dRU0jm7_1U5-C3k2TDzitt2IwsZnU1LuE3s57/s200/mixture_5969.jpg" border="0" /></a>We walked out on one trail and watched and listened to Kingfishers fishing along the water’s edge. I always enjoy listening and watching <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWMOTCfdHkCqqIYZ4URSYYpowNkVYgHGeUa6nhi2dNfiqN3RhucwMKbmNxmvYEOhyphenhyphenUuYGSBRpmtZ1Q8PSE1OVh465sJh4C-e116XQxoS0jGC7bdB610iE9XiExhwYPBz_Hd0OFydM9xJo/s1600-h/Eagle+and+Nest_6012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295773838428480946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWMOTCfdHkCqqIYZ4URSYYpowNkVYgHGeUa6nhi2dNfiqN3RhucwMKbmNxmvYEOhyphenhyphenUuYGSBRpmtZ1Q8PSE1OVh465sJh4C-e116XQxoS0jGC7bdB610iE9XiExhwYPBz_Hd0OFydM9xJo/s200/Eagle+and+Nest_6012.jpg" border="0" /></a>them hunting. Of course they never did come close enough to take pictures of. Ducks seen were Pin-tail Ducks, American Widgeons, Green and Blue-winged Teals and Northern Shovelers, Hooded Mergansers along with several rafts of American Coots. Butterflies seen were Great Southern Whites lots & lots of them. They were everywhere. Gulf Fritillaries, One Buckeye, and one Painted lady. We spent 2 days here and I wished now that we had just booked the one night, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehu6VP1Kux1d5lMqzWAfaEOqTTsg5ccWmf0Xd0rJWB8OsSvcZW4HjSIOGlPreNcIys3lJMWlFCemtpzutzDFxQ_ddvoSrEuxBY1hTxwx_KcWJ7j-j1UfWgApLsoG-EAN41mp0vZ6MydwD/s1600-h/Hawk_5978.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295774622480421554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehu6VP1Kux1d5lMqzWAfaEOqTTsg5ccWmf0Xd0rJWB8OsSvcZW4HjSIOGlPreNcIys3lJMWlFCemtpzutzDFxQ_ddvoSrEuxBY1hTxwx_KcWJ7j-j1UfWgApLsoG-EAN41mp0vZ6MydwD/s200/Hawk_5978.jpg" border="0" /></a>although if we hadn't had the second day I would not have seen the Wild Boar. Yup I said wild boar and he looked right at <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRJ-duYwbvv1iaxgDb9Uev5bDkEwvQ4h2CpZ8iKwA53SEBJWQ_Qc6oS8soUVwWDeT1vHvyzg3AlNDfgm_4JtbR2DqFGEEVWbMf3UxkXrcurdUFpzz4-Comzo6slMmX_kEfIyMAdIuTf8P/s1600-h/Wild+Boar_6018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295775119453879890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRJ-duYwbvv1iaxgDb9Uev5bDkEwvQ4h2CpZ8iKwA53SEBJWQ_Qc6oS8soUVwWDeT1vHvyzg3AlNDfgm_4JtbR2DqFGEEVWbMf3UxkXrcurdUFpzz4-Comzo6slMmX_kEfIyMAdIuTf8P/s200/Wild+Boar_6018.jpg" border="0" /></a>me.........smile. I did just miss the Bobcat hopping through the mangroves, I was told later. Darn, Darn, Darn. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Eagle and Eagle's nest were a treat as well. I met some nice folks along the trail but no names to mention. One couple came over to point out the alligators to us but we were not looking for alligators had already seen a few of them that day, but I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e12ac5zuH9vVVEk0arrsih1DL9qNFQrBgvf9EdTeuK-FRcfdDnywxo6H-PPeIJNJDsszJQ0XCei9s3TAZfVYBhWiA6pkVB1AUgAl068fwqgM7Ko2YNb7GJr4oiXlZh7jCKaLDsZNs5fJ/s1600-h/guess+who_5855.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295775385973148706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e12ac5zuH9vVVEk0arrsih1DL9qNFQrBgvf9EdTeuK-FRcfdDnywxo6H-PPeIJNJDsszJQ0XCei9s3TAZfVYBhWiA6pkVB1AUgAl068fwqgM7Ko2YNb7GJr4oiXlZh7jCKaLDsZNs5fJ/s200/guess+who_5855.jpg" border="0" /></a>did go look, that's when I learned about the wild boar and soon I had my sites on him. He lifted his head and appeared to look right at me and I wasn't sure how he felt about me being there. I looked around and wondered where I would go if he started charging. But he finally left and went into the taller grass. I did get off one or two shots but not much to write about. More just to say Yup I saw a wild boar.<br /></div><div>Now in spite of the birds being so far out we still enjoyed ourselves as we poked across Black Point Drive twice a day. But I must put getting a scope on my list of things to buy this year especially if I am going to take this birding thing seriously. We got out early and left as the sun was setting both days. Of course we did take time for lunch in between.<br /><br />On Monday morning we were off across the state. Now I guess if we were real birders we could <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpiV4CKy6BKAV2imFXlJeG9nqHMhYAqZ4S_1l28NMK7Rh1HyYJ4WNKutbTdSlL-EYDLwfRI4XEYinH1gt4vFD6Lm_47wxaUlSlmIpFhSZVT5Txl345WYCFn9iEY8SiYjv2d-1tOrwmX3K/s1600-h/ppS1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295776637529964994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpiV4CKy6BKAV2imFXlJeG9nqHMhYAqZ4S_1l28NMK7Rh1HyYJ4WNKutbTdSlL-EYDLwfRI4XEYinH1gt4vFD6Lm_47wxaUlSlmIpFhSZVT5Txl345WYCFn9iEY8SiYjv2d-1tOrwmX3K/s200/ppS1.jpg" border="0" /></a>have identified every bird we saw sitting on a fence post or <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9A7BBTqaxZA8ThzzhSK3d-7o4HKyfWA-506CVbLhGb1b92wvWGCXOT7TQ_SpQtwAYelfVu1Llcl58r4Va3k9t3Rpp0pbyt6LyLgnj823YdrIHEH8p97-kHC1UQa9URWXW80D7TWrX5Js/s1600-h/Carolina+Wren_6023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295777115153201634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9A7BBTqaxZA8ThzzhSK3d-7o4HKyfWA-506CVbLhGb1b92wvWGCXOT7TQ_SpQtwAYelfVu1Llcl58r4Va3k9t3Rpp0pbyt6LyLgnj823YdrIHEH8p97-kHC1UQa9URWXW80D7TWrX5Js/s200/Carolina+Wren_6023.jpg" border="0" /></a>electrical wire but we are not that good at ID'ing on the fly so to speak. We did see lots of Osprey, Hawks, Starlings, Doves, Grackles and Cattle Egrets, along the way but that is the extent of my birding by car. Oh a few Sandhill Cranes as well. We got to <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/">Payne's Prairie South </a>mid morning and spent some time trying to see what was high up in the trees in the parking lot (which proved to be an unsuccessful effort. small birds though and later I did get to see Tufted Titmouse. So it could have been more of these or gnatcatcher or perhaps kinglets. There were all over the tree and not sitting still one second.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Then walking down the boat ramp where we saw lots of Anhinga <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG3qUBAWfHlhyphenhyphen80OTXi92mfL-LZOJRlz6giQLc-cxtW6ipTNCZ1sKXW8KZyPJJBUGzrGXckxCYMmJyvG3zKYbk0RAZEs37kDbBuT2uXbk5aXSkT_Mjf-o9yGC0AhpPi6CRB9Wwzew6wKF/s1600-h/armadillo_6030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295778010745434066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG3qUBAWfHlhyphenhyphen80OTXi92mfL-LZOJRlz6giQLc-cxtW6ipTNCZ1sKXW8KZyPJJBUGzrGXckxCYMmJyvG3zKYbk0RAZEs37kDbBuT2uXbk5aXSkT_Mjf-o9yGC0AhpPi6CRB9Wwzew6wKF/s200/armadillo_6030.jpg" border="0" /></a>fishing and an Eagle fly over our heads and another juvenile eagle as well. Plus some mystery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjUzHOAuk65pnDFDJxFIXWEnRowDrj8sROWQoLMIJNeoL5te2ZfpJKsTYTljf-pC7Rs8BGJyuDLWlCymhigTfBMZmoyHHUBR1IU_-oZvblDSoL-ZR21xmioJxXP650rVq9f9a4KP1YcoA/s1600-h/Hermit+Thrush_6042SM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295779505509389330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjUzHOAuk65pnDFDJxFIXWEnRowDrj8sROWQoLMIJNeoL5te2ZfpJKsTYTljf-pC7Rs8BGJyuDLWlCymhigTfBMZmoyHHUBR1IU_-oZvblDSoL-ZR21xmioJxXP650rVq9f9a4KP1YcoA/s200/Hermit+Thrush_6042SM.jpg" border="0" /></a> bird and lots of them flying low over the water. Thought at first skimmers but they weren't Black Skimmers. They were Dark Grey or Black and appeared to be one color. They flew very close to the water. I did not see them skimming as the Skimmers do. Nor did I see them enter the water at all. They just seemed to be checking out the menu. Guess they didn’t like what they saw. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNBxPeeYQ0G_s7RG720NmMjT-1YI54aweYu1nKkysglB1EQUtgn3RRHU9VXf9mE1d5IEb5dFAEgiOR_eNWLucn-NppGIEbGOQ9C-UWkUIsVgyx8B-nGmGSA1l6_J_4M8BWWUcJw-308lm/s1600-h/cards_5985.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296138742489626818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 191px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNBxPeeYQ0G_s7RG720NmMjT-1YI54aweYu1nKkysglB1EQUtgn3RRHU9VXf9mE1d5IEb5dFAEgiOR_eNWLucn-NppGIEbGOQ9C-UWkUIsVgyx8B-nGmGSA1l6_J_4M8BWWUcJw-308lm/s200/cards_5985.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>We spent some time on the lake trail got some great looks a Carolina Wren, a pair of Cardinals, some warblers and a Phoebe. My son really liked that spot on the bridge. While driving along the road there we spotting birds in the road but couldn't get close enough to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVD1I_1FnnWMW1S3iTmlbOP0xiGUemr8I79RxQWDzA-1rmNxjcT6dIAevZlCASIIVEgue1f-_hJI_6YoRHuS5drYxU6Mtim0-Q1FD-tBWHXR_n7mA8Xk9rks72avM3ByquumffA3XPgDG/s1600-h/CYTW_5984.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296138211629752018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVD1I_1FnnWMW1S3iTmlbOP0xiGUemr8I79RxQWDzA-1rmNxjcT6dIAevZlCASIIVEgue1f-_hJI_6YoRHuS5drYxU6Mtim0-Q1FD-tBWHXR_n7mA8Xk9rks72avM3ByquumffA3XPgDG/s200/CYTW_5984.jpg" border="0" /></a>tell what they were. Small birds perhaps sparrows of some kind. We did however get some nice shots of a Thrush that posed nicely for us at the side of the road. We drove to the end of the road and came upon a visitor’s center, where we learned we were in the wrong park to see the Sandhill Cranes. There was a nice view here of the plain and we did walk a trail where we saw several Red bellied woodpeckers and a downy. Thought we heard a Pileated. There was also a hawk that was heard but never seen that seemed to be taunting us the whole time. He had us swiveling and craning our necks searching for him but he was not to let us catch a glimpse of him.<br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqnUZq9aiSuJYw0zVcmuSTZwuIgvE30r80DxipcJbQay9xJP0fEKvDlaAR3G2cXCA9_Osx9suz6K5Nk6dyJ1NoZ_EVHUDg7u0wiChSc6C7vjbeW7iteABPTXVyYrt8nAo5E-GCbPLJI22/s1600-h/PPN2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295781323252595618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqnUZq9aiSuJYw0zVcmuSTZwuIgvE30r80DxipcJbQay9xJP0fEKvDlaAR3G2cXCA9_Osx9suz6K5Nk6dyJ1NoZ_EVHUDg7u0wiChSc6C7vjbeW7iteABPTXVyYrt8nAo5E-GCbPLJI22/s200/PPN2.jpg" border="0" /></a>We were getting hungry by now and had decided to just get something to eat and head over to the other side to see the Cranes. But as luck would have it we didn't find any place to eat so we just decided to check out the park. Luckily the ranger gave us great directions. We found it without too much trouble. It was late but we thought we might at least try to see something. I did get caught up in a Sparrows feeding so figured that this might be where the Harris Sparrow was hanging out. Here I got to talking with two nice gentleman and was told that they locked the gates promptly at 5:30. We also talked about cameras while my son decided to wander off further on up the trail think he got tired of all this camera talk. Finally the gentleman left but they didn't give me much hope that the weather condition in the morning would be any better, and they were right. I left them and I went and caught up with my son and we walked a little more then headed back to the car, least we got locked in for the night.. .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXVfEZ1bviNsbYAWUOfx4fWfZt63gx2yMeWCHJYxXXoMi3AwG6y_8BWafVklS3uAIghsgxv6GXqoBY9paYnXX992CvRkYKWj5fWgjyobR_J5XFfGz1dcrnmTfCKDzBoD34x0R6z7b41xZ/s1600-h/Osprey_6084.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295784559411738530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 173px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXVfEZ1bviNsbYAWUOfx4fWfZt63gx2yMeWCHJYxXXoMi3AwG6y_8BWafVklS3uAIghsgxv6GXqoBY9paYnXX992CvRkYKWj5fWgjyobR_J5XFfGz1dcrnmTfCKDzBoD34x0R6z7b41xZ/s200/Osprey_6084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to go to Wal-Mart and get him a warmer jacket as he was cold with just his thin sweatshirt on. I got a poncho just in case it rained like they said it was going to and it proved to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqNh5ZHhPNbRD5kbLLvFtWKKvNbe3h5eiBlljeTjcNLx9p8-ORGqYUXAbMZcMi7VgLP2EkBDrIR7Kw8CmM1SO2-lJvAX3BkQQNx2gnaX3zrfXkMX8EJDNAbgrEeE2eg36drjCga-r5Qwl/s1600-h/BlackSkimmers6073.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295784032395955730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqNh5ZHhPNbRD5kbLLvFtWKKvNbe3h5eiBlljeTjcNLx9p8-ORGqYUXAbMZcMi7VgLP2EkBDrIR7Kw8CmM1SO2-lJvAX3BkQQNx2gnaX3zrfXkMX8EJDNAbgrEeE2eg36drjCga-r5Qwl/s200/BlackSkimmers6073.jpg" border="0" /></a>come in handy for sure. Then we went out and found some food. </div><div><br />On Tuesday when we woke it was pouring down rain..................boohoo.........We listened to the weather and it didn't sound promising so we decided to book the room for one more night. I sure wanted to see the thousands of Sandhill Cranes and the two Whooping Cranes that would be lifers for me.<br /></div><div>We then went out for a leisurely breakfast and while eating we decided to drive over to Cedar Key and look for shore birds. You know birding by car. It was a rather long drive but glad we did it. We stumbled <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK60CoOrP-WuwPNXBQfEDeaKoBqDy8TjKo7s4IE-e5WmaI_sWJBUkPL82pyNwRoUqfNRf5iVlXeEvQvZJFaksxt5ZS-aWg_nypcFZGi7muPcPHhtDosyc0Oqlfa3pMagtO5PfCOA7_0cZ/s1600-h/CEMETERY+TRAIL_6098.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295784794528917682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhK60CoOrP-WuwPNXBQfEDeaKoBqDy8TjKo7s4IE-e5WmaI_sWJBUkPL82pyNwRoUqfNRf5iVlXeEvQvZJFaksxt5ZS-aWg_nypcFZGi7muPcPHhtDosyc0Oqlfa3pMagtO5PfCOA7_0cZ/s200/CEMETERY+TRAIL_6098.jpg" border="0" /></a>upon a Sandbar full of Black Skimmers on a beach as well as a couple of other shore birds. I almost slipped and fell in some beach slime while trying to get a closer shot of the Skimers.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div align="left">We got back into the rental car and drove around for a while and saw several Osprey one perched on a post eating his catch of the day. While driving we stumbled upon a birding trail next to a cemetery and when the rain let up a little and we decided to walk the trail where I got an American Oyster Catcher (Lifer! Of course that rain didn't stay let up for long and the wind made it hard to control the poncho. Soon I was soaked and cold but still enjoying the day. Again though the birds were so far out it was hard to ID them. I am still trying to ID more of them, but it's not easy. Got to get that scope! </div><div><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296144869037407106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD6Vy8RRm0KeUsvVcJhuJW5Li5glqobfi5ExCiBixp1Nj1fKMmKSXLYtShHdQvinteNKklNQNOFBphapVWD72J5cCD2cmJISnnIU12XsLV1dRyn5D164CFee8s_gHzCjvnmOSUTgwYCkJ/s320/Oyster+catcher_6090.jpg" border="0" />Can you see my lifer? huh? can you? huh? huh?</div><div><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpAAdClMPt61IeNmpCMCANCgu8N7_8SS0cyQUZnF4ghmBXLt7erGGskPRqawtOz2fDKhzvjG4-BNmVRbVqclEgirUGGht79Kj6OJwkW-dyHQ0S3qSdijSC2uTWaF3XLNO3klinfuniGIF/s1600-h/PPN1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295786681427527170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpAAdClMPt61IeNmpCMCANCgu8N7_8SS0cyQUZnF4ghmBXLt7erGGskPRqawtOz2fDKhzvjG4-BNmVRbVqclEgirUGGht79Kj6OJwkW-dyHQ0S3qSdijSC2uTWaF3XLNO3klinfuniGIF/s200/PPN1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wednesday the sun was up and after packing up the car we went to Payne’s Prairie where we walked the 3 mile trail spotting such birds Great Blue, Snowy, Great Egret, Limpkin, Wood Stork , Eastern Wood <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs4pLrELBR3qhR4G_VIOUu21zWwTGwKtyzbB06AGtnsTSmPhRPGriZgE4Vo3Q-iweMK8fDax1OJPRQ5nKzzeH4ttFwjSLeuXH1td08pp7rX57KubbDo7EUmyzNU77GMYoOdefaSnBSNVi/s1600-h/SPARROW_6104.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295788771130474338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs4pLrELBR3qhR4G_VIOUu21zWwTGwKtyzbB06AGtnsTSmPhRPGriZgE4Vo3Q-iweMK8fDax1OJPRQ5nKzzeH4ttFwjSLeuXH1td08pp7rX57KubbDo7EUmyzNU77GMYoOdefaSnBSNVi/s200/SPARROW_6104.jpg" border="0" /></a>Peewee, Several Red Shouldered Hawks and several species of sparrows and of course the obligatory alligator and a coot a few coots and moorhens. Of course we saw thousands of Sandhill Cranes which were the reason for coming and staying. I wanted to see thousands of birds. I was of course hoping to see the two White Whooping Cranes in amongst them <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEHhJ_EWDZTuZcKdd8aRWJCl5STtjbE__-pp_jpl4ML9Dd4L89oK4plZZHU6ZAUsvfvS3je6H-BNOsbH_6ZqB84fZN6pSQufW8KpdnVbdQYPDlx2sHhxQWo7cd1HYPqtD2LKJpNNO-1Q2/s1600-h/SANDHILL1_6127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295795820955388034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEHhJ_EWDZTuZcKdd8aRWJCl5STtjbE__-pp_jpl4ML9Dd4L89oK4plZZHU6ZAUsvfvS3je6H-BNOsbH_6ZqB84fZN6pSQufW8KpdnVbdQYPDlx2sHhxQWo7cd1HYPqtD2LKJpNNO-1Q2/s200/SANDHILL1_6127.jpg" border="0" /></a>but was not having any luck. Most people that I spoke too hadn’t spotted them that morning. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQZ2JRkVIM2Ay6J56T7J-WRqqbmb2OflZum9Bxkd5UcLeFVR2BepCK06DFtckegJkau9b3mqBRzUXr50k1-r6M1rtdnvP5hVjWbJd_3Nk1hfK9BYFCXKRJiCz5QyukouIzrG2N3oDbZ73/s1600-h/SANDHILL3+6120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295796121223850242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQZ2JRkVIM2Ay6J56T7J-WRqqbmb2OflZum9Bxkd5UcLeFVR2BepCK06DFtckegJkau9b3mqBRzUXr50k1-r6M1rtdnvP5hVjWbJd_3Nk1hfK9BYFCXKRJiCz5QyukouIzrG2N3oDbZ73/s200/SANDHILL3+6120.jpg" border="0" /></a>Perhaps they were gone they said. OH well not to be put off we continued and watch and listened in amazement at all of these Sandhill Cranes squawking and taking flight then settling back down again. It was a site worth seeing for sure. We walked to the end searching the flocks of Sandhill Cranes for the two Whooping Cranes and picking out other birds as well. There were Warblers and Blackbirds and Sparrows and at the end we saw a Killdeer and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAdQq1f6SlmHLrTxngYMA08sonuywLmwfNa-2jR0Btm98H8xwHULueZwnjqgLBAA_pKrsPoSdxS2BvWp3eoxsjfKHzSOuS-EVVzQ2FkPjbdozn2sJNiKcoj_iaUGbjhTpyTbPuhXiAJWw/s1600-h/WHOOPING+CRANE6186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295796425224681490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAdQq1f6SlmHLrTxngYMA08sonuywLmwfNa-2jR0Btm98H8xwHULueZwnjqgLBAA_pKrsPoSdxS2BvWp3eoxsjfKHzSOuS-EVVzQ2FkPjbdozn2sJNiKcoj_iaUGbjhTpyTbPuhXiAJWw/s200/WHOOPING+CRANE6186.jpg" border="0" /></a>a Snipe. We saw Glossy and White ibis and Great Egrets, Green Herons, & Tri-colored Herons. At the end of the trail we looked and listened and were amazed again by the numbers of Sandhill cranes. And then began the long trek back. Are you sure it isn't 3 mile out and 3 miles back because to me it felt like it. There aren’t any places to sit and rest along the way and you stand in one spot for long periods of time looking especially at the sparrows, so a bench or two along the way would be a great improvement. They are in fact beginning to build a boardwalk which will make the trail accessable even durning the wet season.<br /><br />We left Gainesville early afternoon and decided to skip Honeymoon Island and head straight for Sarasota which as it turns out was a long, long, long drive. Wished I had had the time but something had to be forfieted for the extra day in Gainsville. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmubjfFxOM8Ekb0RbN9fIPP_cwAs1FPfIMXWhc1GpyUNHkGg-Z94a6utfRIy_gn0xL-J-n8sjAqPFiYmlsJ0CgDbiFaN4FyFV_yF7T-2XZfNscndHXxmOhzrsr3324dK-OihBdRVty8qQy/s1600-h/buckeye+Butterfly_5917.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295772583721261266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmubjfFxOM8Ekb0RbN9fIPP_cwAs1FPfIMXWhc1GpyUNHkGg-Z94a6utfRIy_gn0xL-J-n8sjAqPFiYmlsJ0CgDbiFaN4FyFV_yF7T-2XZfNscndHXxmOhzrsr3324dK-OihBdRVty8qQy/s200/buckeye+Butterfly_5917.jpg" border="0" /></a>We got there late afternoon and walked around the Celery fields but were at a loss as to how to proceed. We did see people out on the fields but didn’t see much in the way of birds. Perhaps it was too early in the day and we moved on to a little park I was told about but there wasn’t anything there so we opted for driving over and seeing Myakka River State Park. It was late when we got there and they were soon to close so we just drove around a little. No time for the trails.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipwztferZqNQDaI34dnuWafWTlMOBpMqhXvdCG8Kf0xsr8YtnwKD-fnB0dj7XzpQvcUJ8I4mH0ZM52GR2eDesJzs9gimNRYidJDRdidqqwzCAG7OMY2pSS5n401vnArqY64foscAV8hBg/s1600-h/male+Great+Southern+White_5919.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296149224650055106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipwztferZqNQDaI34dnuWafWTlMOBpMqhXvdCG8Kf0xsr8YtnwKD-fnB0dj7XzpQvcUJ8I4mH0ZM52GR2eDesJzs9gimNRYidJDRdidqqwzCAG7OMY2pSS5n401vnArqY64foscAV8hBg/s200/male+Great+Southern+White_5919.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Should have just found a place to stay and hit the park in the morning but by now I was getting tired. So we decided to drive closer to Corkscrew and find a place to stay, which we did in Bonita Springs. We were both hungry so after unpacking what we thought we needed we went out to dine. Well we found a place called Buffalo Chips. And I just love good Buffalo wings so we decided to try it out. Well turns out to be a swinging place and it was hopping, with live music and great wings and lots and lots of atmosphere. They give you what appears to be a newspaper and it talks about how things have changes in Bonita Springs and believe me they sure have. On the inside is the menu and they have a little bit of everything we both had the wings. Ummmm Good!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr126tB3Ea3DJ4xvlRX7JXo_iGZLkz4fGi6PAAsHB0IprkI9z4SaLx-sE1JRyriYg-sxn86l1OkfhyphenhyphenKmjKxUEathdRyNl3-unHl_2sEFNekDaUloM9NtHT0l8dPpGRd6-5O7jHOETunsC/s1600-h/Gulf+Fritillary_5923.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296149560087713458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglr126tB3Ea3DJ4xvlRX7JXo_iGZLkz4fGi6PAAsHB0IprkI9z4SaLx-sE1JRyriYg-sxn86l1OkfhyphenhyphenKmjKxUEathdRyNl3-unHl_2sEFNekDaUloM9NtHT0l8dPpGRd6-5O7jHOETunsC/s200/Gulf+Fritillary_5923.jpg" border="0" /></a>Anyway back to the motel and this great room with two huge beds and a Large comfortable chair and foot stool which I was just dying to try out but fist I needed a shower and a shampoo in the wonderfully clean bathroom. Well if you travel you know that not all rooms are the cleanest but this place was great…………..we paid a little more for this room but it was worth it. OK I have digressed enough back to the trip.<br /></div><div>In the morning the sun had disappeared again and it was overcast but they said it wouldn’t rain so off we went to Corkscrew Swamp. Well that is after pulling into to a gas station and checking the oil as the oil light was on. well we really needed gas too. But now after buying the oil the light no longer comes on so I kept the oil who know I might need it in my car one day.<br /><br />I hadn’t been there in a while but didn’t find many changes. When we first arrived we were hit <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeRTuLsmme32ds1_r06Ai6S92uPCi_1B50KP54nKiS71fObwtbxri0HM8jAOH9i_HfhPp8FMhiTDrGAo1L1sQ8wjLPf6Rq8LlQZ2Srxa9pT4YaepCTUkpAiuOFdQjLptH07OHV6CygUTv/s1600-h/CSS1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295797345679800050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeRTuLsmme32ds1_r06Ai6S92uPCi_1B50KP54nKiS71fObwtbxri0HM8jAOH9i_HfhPp8FMhiTDrGAo1L1sQ8wjLPf6Rq8LlQZ2Srxa9pT4YaepCTUkpAiuOFdQjLptH07OHV6CygUTv/s200/CSS1.jpg" border="0" /></a>by Warblers and Blue grey Gnatcatchers and Catbirds. We tried and tried to get some pictures but weren’t very successful. So we <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy1yzQABuC9bfBxAiNUk3S3NOu3xyFJyWdDVhEVo2I90wHKvNqhVqfWD44To5bE9TM2FGeNFF_si0EO7F9mQ8_G6nnfDpRV7Gc0vJRJJIHQXAZO8ZR6S8HEi1H168uHYcMdn9S3IrU4mk/s1600-h/CSS2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295798192186174930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy1yzQABuC9bfBxAiNUk3S3NOu3xyFJyWdDVhEVo2I90wHKvNqhVqfWD44To5bE9TM2FGeNFF_si0EO7F9mQ8_G6nnfDpRV7Gc0vJRJJIHQXAZO8ZR6S8HEi1H168uHYcMdn9S3IrU4mk/s200/CSS2.jpg" border="0" /></a>paid for our way into the main part and set out on a 2.25 mile boardwalk journey which took us hours. People were passing us left and right but we kept on plodding along. Right away I see some little birds in the pines but too far away to see either through the bins or the camera but from the actions of one I was sure it was a Brown-headed Nuthatch. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSCXA3obLHTD7PzJrNSXhEAPGmDkTWplMCCyLUm2OAhi9t5b_X4cqEzBV1Vu1-HsnjATgBgoqmrotrPQAIWf_gQrjBV3UOD5c9LfERq68iGMB23lmvR16sL_PVcMkz0QHojnQa1nbZ3sB/s1600-h/GOLDIES_6255.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296120506817588018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSCXA3obLHTD7PzJrNSXhEAPGmDkTWplMCCyLUm2OAhi9t5b_X4cqEzBV1Vu1-HsnjATgBgoqmrotrPQAIWf_gQrjBV3UOD5c9LfERq68iGMB23lmvR16sL_PVcMkz0QHojnQa1nbZ3sB/s200/GOLDIES_6255.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FkaPhlRshye44zacigML_UDBop2Q5yz3_YM33ygISyaP9oi5ZA7mr169QYWNa0eo4GsEOh523Evb7rJn33kMTU6Yht5H0kKhZEYoCgqSVjiF-GaxBhnhCOR8yBSNsOb9ZaaBTnn5RNPW/s1600-h/PB_6257.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296120976061690546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FkaPhlRshye44zacigML_UDBop2Q5yz3_YM33ygISyaP9oi5ZA7mr169QYWNa0eo4GsEOh523Evb7rJn33kMTU6Yht5H0kKhZEYoCgqSVjiF-GaxBhnhCOR8yBSNsOb9ZaaBTnn5RNPW/s200/PB_6257.jpg" border="0" /></a> Then we came upon the feeders where the Painted Buntings were hanging out with the Goldie’s. Big Treat for me as I haven’t seen Goldie’s since I left Maine years ago so while they weren’t a true lifer they were a FL lifer for me. Oh I forgot to add the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfA9V0wx5Fx2zrd0YXHdLn45pBi2bkWXVigu1WXnyJueTNxsHjQWkgTRdpPoOsh6CEz7DR_EInyrkGJFm9KEH62jGowKDjxZrebtA19AibKe6dQH0gkRBZAuiYAiQZfCDwqksQ41BgP9t/s1600-h/YTW_6089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296122746422500498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfA9V0wx5Fx2zrd0YXHdLn45pBi2bkWXVigu1WXnyJueTNxsHjQWkgTRdpPoOsh6CEz7DR_EInyrkGJFm9KEH62jGowKDjxZrebtA19AibKe6dQH0gkRBZAuiYAiQZfCDwqksQ41BgP9t/s200/YTW_6089.jpg" border="0" /></a>first lifer that day was a Yellow <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf_XPY3cxuO20h1DUr6PqbEZQeDCzn9_-YORyrcjQOEp9FW4sWcOzKIfO_F5JcqFbtK0FsC94QqvVJmplXQSnth0h_k3UVLOWSyFDgtsJcu75HnI2jqnOWh9Juu1spviuwLZ7tV2h_tEK/s1600-h/BNW+warbler6108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296126307774187074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 172px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf_XPY3cxuO20h1DUr6PqbEZQeDCzn9_-YORyrcjQOEp9FW4sWcOzKIfO_F5JcqFbtK0FsC94QqvVJmplXQSnth0h_k3UVLOWSyFDgtsJcu75HnI2jqnOWh9Juu1spviuwLZ7tV2h_tEK/s200/BNW+warbler6108.jpg" border="0" /></a>Throated Warbler from the parking lot. Later we ran into another group of warblers but didn’t get the pictures of the one that would have been a lifer. But that was an exciting group and they were all over the place. I had more fun watching my son trying to get <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x3AtWVajXjDq16PKe-ZlBpgTbXSiTu7TRsm2IkT5vdOrmQe71nqJoI2ajMmoBfZ9pM4XtfpXqL1PkRtGEp23TxRvuX3mfWsnitP5SY_-30zX4JtuBbOfb8ZY6Po312DtGPXxGQzWcG6y/s1600-h/PileatedWP_6112.jpg"></a>pictures of these guys and they flittered all through the trees. There was a Black & White and several Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers (I think this has been the most seen bird this year). I believe there were Palm Warblers and Butter butts (Yellow-rumped Warblers) and Prairie Warblers as well. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetZUDLf4vqHibW1hOst5q1SITdnJzxJXc5MQvS8t8V-7UcsIjnSDOJRuHq6B0SaA6mAoi2Z6KBNoETeJwFKJgFcVVpPMoP8leg7TkYzxVqowan1SryqwhaE-rVDfqvMiBmPaE3XpHKwjz/s1600-h/RBWP_6116.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296128964885287938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 182px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetZUDLf4vqHibW1hOst5q1SITdnJzxJXc5MQvS8t8V-7UcsIjnSDOJRuHq6B0SaA6mAoi2Z6KBNoETeJwFKJgFcVVpPMoP8leg7TkYzxVqowan1SryqwhaE-rVDfqvMiBmPaE3XpHKwjz/s200/RBWP_6116.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4OyxS_mbOE-bSwup6KyslrscG-nK6UZJGJrW-X2FIDE_jTXwQ7yWCNfJBh8fESFV-zF_c_IF9m6D2rasEQcJm_fElpzG9yvKKDx0EqyTlpS0bjDb3zFjqH89JIZ1BdEUXGE3Lm2W_Xxh/s1600-h/PileatedWP_6112.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296127491683141538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4OyxS_mbOE-bSwup6KyslrscG-nK6UZJGJrW-X2FIDE_jTXwQ7yWCNfJBh8fESFV-zF_c_IF9m6D2rasEQcJm_fElpzG9yvKKDx0EqyTlpS0bjDb3zFjqH89JIZ1BdEUXGE3Lm2W_Xxh/s200/PileatedWP_6112.jpg" border="0" /></a>Later on down the trail we saw another Carolina Wren, A couple of Pileated Woodpeckers, several Red-bellied Woodpeckers and a couple of Downey’s. Another Lifer was the beautiful Great Crested Flycatcher what a handsome feller he was. I only got a picture of his backside thought I though I had taken one of his front as well but maybe it didn't turn out and I deleted it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdFxA1Hiov4MqE51fbyDoM5_tNWo3d1blG6NpNn5sE1brixWa4FLZNQFB4-IC5dVH-uMzE3v3-CmGNgta_OumYSZYTJDpjEUobvpcHC7YYwHM2RqVDVFXYi1b5kp5DIuWYfLAWtPfd2W5/s1600-h/BCNH_6134.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296150920181831970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdFxA1Hiov4MqE51fbyDoM5_tNWo3d1blG6NpNn5sE1brixWa4FLZNQFB4-IC5dVH-uMzE3v3-CmGNgta_OumYSZYTJDpjEUobvpcHC7YYwHM2RqVDVFXYi1b5kp5DIuWYfLAWtPfd2W5/s200/BCNH_6134.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We also saw several Yellow-crowned Night Herons and a couple of Black-crowned Night Herons, Great Egrets, Tri-colored Egrets, Little Blues (one Juvenile) Snowy Egrets, Green Herons and a Shrike. No great surprises here. We did manage a couple of alligators as well. So not a lot of new birds for me here but I stilled enjoyed the walk. I was hoping to see a Reddish Egret but that didn’t happen anywhere on the trip.<br /><br />We got home late Thursday Night. Friday we birded locally but didn’t see much at all. In the afternoon I did some grocery shopping and Saturday I started down with a cold which kept me down all week.<br /><br />I am still living the Birding Vacation every time I look at the pictures and try to ID some of those far away ducks and shore birds. Think I would do it differently next time. Spent way to much time on the Road. Oh and I would get that scope too!</div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296149925976341042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJbOeLKeIGGOWEN9dg40TJyEvhfYsNLRVnj6suO7avAX3Thbo0WpxCqPA3e1m8-FMbMQRs4jHNGD6QQAhWHWV4h2RVvkRUc5gU_xYWH5XPk_d45Gea4yEWo7H440-ImVt1XFRQGIC_c6y/s200/the+hunter+at+dusk_5856.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p align="center">The Hunter at Dusk</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296150599524134770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNK6hEVu-Ke1G74crIS6hxXMaVRxsqtobu7GFjP_ydn6NTBZJXMwCY1Xsgp_shAnEdGntA2FiKTBDlfqzHEEGTxclf01QYV3XrR1wndlAxnbFt_DX3ha0cwb9fzhaGicxB_8b5EDCZkY6/s320/avocets_5871.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Avocets</p>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-63573981602277795262008-12-10T20:47:00.000-05:002008-12-18T16:48:32.276-05:00FLAMINGO GARDENS<div><div>After Holland Park I decided that <a href="http://www.flamingogardens.org/">Flamingo Gardens </a>in Davie, FL might be a good place to go. After all it is wooded and there are lots of plants and trees there. If I were a bird I would like it there.<br />At first I didn’t find much in the way of "wild life" but I kept going as I was finding all manner of things to photograph and I was learning about our birds and getting to see some of them up close and personal and learning to ID them.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279791346065936818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UhL1P2xiPApncpl6RIB1cqa6zYnrn7rSAyqLffNvmLdkzw0NL0Q1ZPZ8fJ3GTP2ECtWpadTpQU3NkAxesjGC3KoQzfi2nBR_fSaTW-vSfWXbs7dJgUUJbpXIh0j25KEE1CF-C5ta5bA8/s200/Catbird_3995.jpg" border="0" /> There are so many things at Flamingo Gardens to catch the eye of a nature photographer, of course at the time I didn’t realize that was what I was turning into. In fact I didn’t really realize it till this year. First it was birds then in the summer when the birds were scarce I turned to flowers with a dash of butterflies and dragonflies. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279791606495906850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbsofJYfv9FctLQhtNsdFU7hKEoVGDCI203l4tZF6KGcHHvOIgYYT1vn1vSCvY2S9a_YePZZUGRP6cTz5_tRFbvjcvw8jzlI2a22AHm1zHXNnHmtf6XA7jEFI_gC7ZVJJjN9iJjE0nDtG/s200/malachite+sm1089.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Then I found myself seeking out anything in nature snakes, raccoons, and alligators were of course a natural. Now I do Spiders and their webs, Mushroom and fungi, all manner of bugs or insects and reptiles from little lizards to rather large Iguanas. These and much more can be found at Flamingo Gardens. It is getting so that if it is in front of my camera I will try to photograph it and it is very easy to get something in front of the camera at Flamingo.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279792175405079794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFCVseXjPIkCFYp3d0WXeTTjJ3dhd_1oCW0QDcvF1jxn4qCB_RG5B88M61qaT7-IVgWO-VOj_X0jr6KgE8S-Q5Hs_nDofL03NCSZk1dYSwGihpTThnrXm5cTjXnPPwsgmjOacH5Dhxh3U/s200/Iguana7384+L.jpg" border="0" /> Now flamingo Gardens is not free. There is an Admission but I am a member and membership has its privilege. So I do get in free and I do go there quite often. It’s fairly close to home and there is something about that place that revives me. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279792449566764962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTg331vw9W6q7kzNMuYEEBkD_ESTXyMfObppgxU840FMWKU7ATj_UBsDJNzHqnYyTk-qx-MgUXNpqn5TB1gu6mJoHBTPQI2aB4dY6RKHL61LYmGYWRODdACAnGmoUJ21_KsOl0n9xkrbUO/s200/golden+silk+spider4036.jpg" border="0" />Some of the many attractions that I avail myself of are the Arboretum and the different gardens, and the area where the Geese and Swans are. To me these areas provide a lot of opportunity for photographing wildlife and flowering trees and shrubs. <a href="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/gallery/139580_zrUkS#5109458_8hxGm"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279792823621121042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9MKoAqi-Ukfvo7Ra-IltbIlsEiKHamOH3Tv06ZMKBYHz_EMwI0P6hojXwXkISqEpPrywCibwaSAssGf7Oyr7g_RWzOAxZzveg0jThHwyf-UGTLHs-B1Rh303OwuznStqYoQ51BZnmJzO/s200/F+Pretty+N+Pink_3899.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another favorite photography spot are the Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardens. These gardens host a variety of flowering plants and shrubs to attract many different species of butterflies & hummingbirds. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279793307791998066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD4u1NX3L-i9mk8DFPywSxTK202ZmG9L1NxflE6H084e_pL2Ooo59bbpGsWz7sXjn3OEvZBfvAG7wRmIN68C-5LYWrGNhGGmmQpLz8m1ISgKWd8BH-wpLNN0goXmmGfQqO24KAIDkHm_b/s200/hummer+sm_3735.jpg" border="0" /> I will often sit in on a Wildlife Encounter or take the Tour by Tram and I like going through the Wray Home and seeing all the history there. Right now it is all decked out in its finest for the Holiday Season. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279802312373663618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm65sktWPZ7xZXIQ3ml05CMu1QBZun7ZaFzMRUMf1hOJok_BV4TgKnaEwdS6hncc5hobGBXQfzxaGA1FLquDRGgDrfdAIb7pbmt2caPS_lfskK6ejMy8JN4UojgCPwbW6gV0_TSYULG2yh/s200/christmas+Wray_3930.jpg" border="0" /> I enjoy walking through the Bird of Prey Center even though it makes me sad that all the birds have sustained injuries that will not allow them to be able to fly free again. It is fun though to see the newborns here and know that they at least will have a chance at being released into the wild one day. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279803676264591346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwtKoS1dhEa5jo3eHGf_FIcz0wx2tGKhLz5HYC8s6susQIacEcWZivv3gl3fZpSAiaIQBEsivriHhJO-f9xNXK3INqyMijsURjpz_wA8DgVBCQII0k7nLVnTkVkDbGjBvIklqxCkbgRNTk/s200/American+Eagel001.JPG" border="0" /> I enjoy Flamingo Island which as you can tell by the name is where the Flamingos are and I enjoy the River Otter, Bobcat and Panther Habitats as well as Alligator Lagoon. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279794177045799090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1p6E4i0OAOYYrov4ArWXoKZpn2MRCABhQ4SedOYgcWHViL7D-WErr3T9FYxMHtbuBAROeH1ySbkM0MKw2O7usyc_NUVJPGw6n11b5mq2Jpsk6MUdbikz-Jj_xZZUPC_moqVoO2t6C8Cy/s200/SBGators003.jpg" border="0" /> I have been known to buy gift from the Gift shop and The Garden shop and if I am hungry I might stop at the Flamingo Cafe for a bit to eat. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279794694399419490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_LfXccIY_av0MM6W4SG2OZ7YHmvJmafOBrkFKghC4DKGlR1rEMNRQUG6gxR3hQcw6k0tkeLJBaZY45BYJyDNok8EAXqPvMD_6NNw2_2STpPr1xQ4sN_5kWy0IHF51Y_6RI4PM-lt_7Ly/s200/peacock3614.jpg" border="0" /> So as you can see there is something for everyone young and old alike here.<br />So if you are ever in the area, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.flamingogardens.org/">Flamingo Gardens in Davie Fl</a>. You can check out their link for more information.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOAzA7YDZ2Yohp8ke8gtixcGceEVxdeNiSSs8Az626ftrLb-cJNAJl50cmTJ7TD-vFXvvRMZwcFju6PYcjR2BL4YSUjGYNx95Dk9-PUmzuHJHP3k-RwDrpJcGkqiPTytyBHTwFgPah4Si/s1600-h/BBWD3203a.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279795038732243186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOAzA7YDZ2Yohp8ke8gtixcGceEVxdeNiSSs8Az626ftrLb-cJNAJl50cmTJ7TD-vFXvvRMZwcFju6PYcjR2BL4YSUjGYNx95Dk9-PUmzuHJHP3k-RwDrpJcGkqiPTytyBHTwFgPah4Si/s200/BBWD3203a.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S64T6TbpOSL4FgRbZjg8B_0NeC9ER9QK-8OE8RzRLiEqe3mY5__2Qgv5dNDXZAzSIaocJnwSxY8836guobG7A3xGVuHtTBg3edY9BmBkwZYHieKOJkVzGLwUbYO4q1xohm689KY57WXI/s1600-h/Egyptian+Geese_4122.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279795320306412050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S64T6TbpOSL4FgRbZjg8B_0NeC9ER9QK-8OE8RzRLiEqe3mY5__2Qgv5dNDXZAzSIaocJnwSxY8836guobG7A3xGVuHtTBg3edY9BmBkwZYHieKOJkVzGLwUbYO4q1xohm689KY57WXI/s200/Egyptian+Geese_4122.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279797336448383538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDU8fnE3E_pmkl45RXpOJAsLFIoHz9y1u1pCuPOFasOqYogw8b4jjiBbmbMLBfEOt5yKAmEInjk8RMcGkdqhF-UdyhwHmu5HQeGj9j1YKnpxlvfdVTOpgZaMEHDpu7gGtYqaibAwWooEx/s200/Banana+flower+3072.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMtdogwTuYljbGppv_pU010KluG8BqfnI1s7M4KI6X0EmG4L6udV-QvxW25ECsX5uGDXEILRCZzwXMZ7nwFA6r9zL1QWqHIQ3T5-YgWCHkJ7hzSmS4zCqyD4V6TzNDiIfNVUEKO0txSrk/s1600-h/f+pretty+Powder+Puffs3103.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279797989707647442" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMtdogwTuYljbGppv_pU010KluG8BqfnI1s7M4KI6X0EmG4L6udV-QvxW25ECsX5uGDXEILRCZzwXMZ7nwFA6r9zL1QWqHIQ3T5-YgWCHkJ7hzSmS4zCqyD4V6TzNDiIfNVUEKO0txSrk/s200/f+pretty+Powder+Puffs3103.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSGiZivwGhizKuuvIWvqUcdEEjlJdmMCpI5sitogSxDuT23vO24yVFCNRCIH1r9ui8sedIavqI1c68UVGlYtQENwAO85TNpdZBqN2EwO2CA__cYYgzRFz-NZ3q734-zF9Y9aeVHAYCgrL/s1600-h/dessert+rose_2999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279797571620367794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSGiZivwGhizKuuvIWvqUcdEEjlJdmMCpI5sitogSxDuT23vO24yVFCNRCIH1r9ui8sedIavqI1c68UVGlYtQENwAO85TNpdZBqN2EwO2CA__cYYgzRFz-NZ3q734-zF9Y9aeVHAYCgrL/s200/dessert+rose_2999.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><br /><div><a href="http://just-jan.com/Featured-Picture.htm"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279795710939476370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmnKRJhciiBjKoTdwko50sATja-KjaWmN53_BggZkeFVhkPWyUCR0KMSttB8ef9L3lT6_zUppaYdzn0TQsdTgoAx4AEhyF4BoRX0t-WldiscHj_yE5qkkc7xA9SjY_dl9MSmc_KvXf6lj/s200/Black-crowned-Night-HeronW.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindmXQAE6CP7aCLZphkN69V0El1_za-bShkbuOS1eZRMq1tp4XatooZ3dd_NA7Yg31RXyzYO4CwXbH6xbpPgSpBn8tNFuh59GhTzlNDKaIWF4VX6GiZQ5DiD_7FNoxG_RRd6BwKwRlIXij/s1600-h/frick+n+Frack+sm_4108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279796237992963602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindmXQAE6CP7aCLZphkN69V0El1_za-bShkbuOS1eZRMq1tp4XatooZ3dd_NA7Yg31RXyzYO4CwXbH6xbpPgSpBn8tNFuh59GhTzlNDKaIWF4VX6GiZQ5DiD_7FNoxG_RRd6BwKwRlIXij/s200/frick+n+Frack+sm_4108.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_TavhiUKjpy5OUO4s_xnM1bzF7rFeBGNV7rr9dB5esK6YHarytNo6-2Jc3OwjpowkwqmLNLtxs7uMVvrhO6B2ccxMtf4C-iKc2MyjirAXc0O9dlfdDkqXIPVWqY3IEcov2rUYMIuixRC/s1600-h/Great+Egret1815.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279796504573672082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_TavhiUKjpy5OUO4s_xnM1bzF7rFeBGNV7rr9dB5esK6YHarytNo6-2Jc3OwjpowkwqmLNLtxs7uMVvrhO6B2ccxMtf4C-iKc2MyjirAXc0O9dlfdDkqXIPVWqY3IEcov2rUYMIuixRC/s200/Great+Egret1815.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><br /> </div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279798999664514370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi292SLzwy5tsopJwpOlBOEL7BDL4x7Gt0u7CgA-eUf-7FqroiKI8-VhQ6Wrzp9cd71lDTHBRFYYgCHJrK7u2pEV2UhSovduLp89a5Q2pefQqBk0iGLrSg0_hgrPglYq7SqCIip5mEyyk1y/s200/skipper_0588.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-61470871727001156762008-11-10T07:17:00.000-05:002008-11-17T17:01:59.136-05:00HOLLAND PARK<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-p5aAHWrLP_lNEvuumGGJOU4RPvtmL2vyRzBTrC55QUY5v271uXrghXOQNZkcFL6Dv_rgB47qZAzEX2sXaWC54CqEen-Q8Kld3i_xE8rrE_bPD2LVj25cqvmiiEbgcVO6WZIJNAXjp1L/s1600-h/on+the+intecoastle_5987.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269700567079074562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-p5aAHWrLP_lNEvuumGGJOU4RPvtmL2vyRzBTrC55QUY5v271uXrghXOQNZkcFL6Dv_rgB47qZAzEX2sXaWC54CqEen-Q8Kld3i_xE8rrE_bPD2LVj25cqvmiiEbgcVO6WZIJNAXjp1L/s320/on+the+intecoastle_5987.JPG" border="0" /></a>When I first decided I needed to get out to see the birds I wasn't sure where to go and look for them. So then I thought that the local parks would be the best place to start. So then I thought Holland Park might provide a few birds so off I went.<br /><p>HOLLAND PARK is a delightful Intracoastal-front 23-acre park. Once here you will find boat ramps, two pavilions, picnic facilities, bicycle path, nature trails, a waterfront overlook, and a waterfront observation tower. Here visitors can bike, enroll in kayaking lessons and full-moon tours to West Lake, launch their boats, enjoy an eco-walk on a nature trail or picnic or enjoy freshwater fishing or just sit and relax and watch <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDxdfDv30qUeaq170PU9DVSG5tRdVkfC06AMTWUnuI2eFkQaXwWQFobVB3uz8zfMaGoUYJZFeJUa-0lZauhRn7h3oPlecOjNjX0Zv8eXkyVxuXvIhqqSVx1JHavnZ0fXJakPUCzx2kgkA/s1600-h/picnic+anyone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269695241165372050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDxdfDv30qUeaq170PU9DVSG5tRdVkfC06AMTWUnuI2eFkQaXwWQFobVB3uz8zfMaGoUYJZFeJUa-0lZauhRn7h3oPlecOjNjX0Zv8eXkyVxuXvIhqqSVx1JHavnZ0fXJakPUCzx2kgkA/s320/picnic+anyone.jpg" border="0" /></a>the activity on the Intercostal.<br /><br /><p><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This park is located at 801 Johnson St. (<a href="http://www.southflorida.com/custom/hollywood/22954,0,599008,map.venue">Map</a>) Hollywood, FL 33019 </div><div>954-921-3404 and is open from sunup to sundown.<br /><p></p></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFelEed5uoeSzSWxilnIbO0qOlk_16GRFZzGmuHVB3jaGNxbVDaTyfS1FxSR2E5htO0oXWqRQSx5V_098XYwnpi7R956ErEgVUQPUs3qqePHK5A5_oB8iV9atwKYAPgZO98fIIkLaX5jY5/s1600-h/whitepeacock+Holland+park+7370.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269699143605653826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFelEed5uoeSzSWxilnIbO0qOlk_16GRFZzGmuHVB3jaGNxbVDaTyfS1FxSR2E5htO0oXWqRQSx5V_098XYwnpi7R956ErEgVUQPUs3qqePHK5A5_oB8iV9atwKYAPgZO98fIIkLaX5jY5/s200/whitepeacock+Holland+park+7370.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1atmwU5zz2cxLPJzPbnTXbBS8qq10rh1PL7q68badOFvaM9u5RC7j5IrEDJW7fS1FhNWRfNg-n_jJG7Xm8_XeB78y1lqQ72n5ZcczofSKfPyVg2hkfRWJE2JFq5UP4b77S-pUs7O8gtM/s1600-h/flickerJPG+(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269657986784163538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1atmwU5zz2cxLPJzPbnTXbBS8qq10rh1PL7q68badOFvaM9u5RC7j5IrEDJW7fS1FhNWRfNg-n_jJG7Xm8_XeB78y1lqQ72n5ZcczofSKfPyVg2hkfRWJE2JFq5UP4b77S-pUs7O8gtM/s200/flickerJPG+(2).jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Well as it turns out Holland Park provided me with many a first over the years. My first Flicker, my first Sandpiper, my first Merganser, my first White Peacock, my first wild parakeets, my first Yellow-crowned Night Heron, my first juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron, My first Grey Kingbird.. </div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc5mFdFK7ehmBH7pqgaf_MYCzgVPuWw-4K9KMbL1yLPa9cg-vLSuF_ELc_X3jI3aKUKKDp1fBG9QSkgyyzhywqIbDNEJYZQV2GCEAcQKgiJn-40IsT-i_x2LUwXdhUe5UwYDSK94q8UOo/s1600-h/DSC01365.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269657664287100514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc5mFdFK7ehmBH7pqgaf_MYCzgVPuWw-4K9KMbL1yLPa9cg-vLSuF_ELc_X3jI3aKUKKDp1fBG9QSkgyyzhywqIbDNEJYZQV2GCEAcQKgiJn-40IsT-i_x2LUwXdhUe5UwYDSK94q8UOo/s200/DSC01365.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRXnt8oj6w6zhiJt8PO2-M2xIvfN22knFggvwQ6JMG8JR14WxQcT8Iy_pWfxGOqQ_kDAMt2zYeWwzLcdMATM5CCT1Eo3VV7XygfSy4YAQnZEwTndYvOmh845M9xkGBB86mqCtm1NUtEDf/s1600-h/sp+9898.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269702384924070994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRXnt8oj6w6zhiJt8PO2-M2xIvfN22knFggvwQ6JMG8JR14WxQcT8Iy_pWfxGOqQ_kDAMt2zYeWwzLcdMATM5CCT1Eo3VV7XygfSy4YAQnZEwTndYvOmh845M9xkGBB86mqCtm1NUtEDf/s200/sp+9898.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Other birds I have seen at Holland Park are Eurasian-collared Doves, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Red-bellied Sapsucker and Downy Woodpeckers, a variety of Warblers. I have seen Osprey, Mafnificent Frigatebirds, Green Herons, Great Blue Herons, Little Herons and a few Sparrows.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LbWpH2moahx4Gbojatq0uHi-msIuSBQPLdKv8YK8VWxK0ydfWWTp9PzqIkkrs9ycciCfmJZFk1KHKDHTehx_f_bc-2NKAYhvuYXj8eOzbujwRx7OR67nq6suwtHY9SpurqPnIfmx0klB/s1600-h/bluegrey+gnatcatcher.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269703529349187314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 181px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LbWpH2moahx4Gbojatq0uHi-msIuSBQPLdKv8YK8VWxK0ydfWWTp9PzqIkkrs9ycciCfmJZFk1KHKDHTehx_f_bc-2NKAYhvuYXj8eOzbujwRx7OR67nq6suwtHY9SpurqPnIfmx0klB/s200/bluegrey+gnatcatcher.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269704074710884226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV1vEqj-UB5WwoClQdQkx6oEPmKyjN_cyLe6_ONFbZF0SnTOrpOQbTP0vesRI4y5ne4QMRnl-ETDkEJOKNbtI4onTDtwdR3s-hF5ShZSqsfdusPk-20T2Ltkg9HVqaSexgZFB-R4-JIJb/s200/sapsucker+9030.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><br /></p></div><br /><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Other wildlife I have seen are Squirrels & raccoons, Silk Spiders, and Blue Crabs and Bunnies. Not to mention the Dolphins and fish. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviar2zdiRC6-OaPZjdrRDZsLXfo_p9j_TTnYg_Ym8tgp1c6Gisy88NgdzGLTQK8eUhawPaoalG7gUi6ggrJBVuYQ27VT5dl6pTeYadQ6o2ysI0T4ZVayM2nwd2Vpsy8qT0bmN_Ar6s_cF/s1600-h/going+home_0787.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269739104650162354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviar2zdiRC6-OaPZjdrRDZsLXfo_p9j_TTnYg_Ym8tgp1c6Gisy88NgdzGLTQK8eUhawPaoalG7gUi6ggrJBVuYQ27VT5dl6pTeYadQ6o2ysI0T4ZVayM2nwd2Vpsy8qT0bmN_Ar6s_cF/s200/going+home_0787.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhEuiZA43VcauIx7QZMpUAexM2xHmmjxgQ-BeNKl3k5MGqGWZ7LgXiprtV3lr09-DMK-Lps5a44ssuYBeRXoZ6e6ULanstWd7DzScipDQOMqQ6kY6v10KxOYW7c57WfIlGG1LX2_pIn0z/s1600-h/digging+up+the+nuts0748.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269739422176878306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhEuiZA43VcauIx7QZMpUAexM2xHmmjxgQ-BeNKl3k5MGqGWZ7LgXiprtV3lr09-DMK-Lps5a44ssuYBeRXoZ6e6ULanstWd7DzScipDQOMqQ6kY6v10KxOYW7c57WfIlGG1LX2_pIn0z/s200/digging+up+the+nuts0748.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><p> </p><p> </p><p>This quiet little park on the intercoastal has provided me with hours of birding pleasure and wildlife exploration. There are lots of plants and trees many of which flower and produce fruit. And the birds......well they just keep coming. I never know what I will find at this delightful little park on Johnson Street. </p></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWSh4Zq3pBkKDrfMprBKZCNnymHENpWrD5v6yISse1qYYdxv5oQD7bTxYlPFi-0ze55ti4CV8d1VDaiOrY3Q-RrOGWWDGwS3AJZSJB6cLW9xlqMk4FXXsZNMVkqcg3FIzY1pSZ9R-SwVw/s1600-h/Palm+warbler+9018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269703126643271186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWSh4Zq3pBkKDrfMprBKZCNnymHENpWrD5v6yISse1qYYdxv5oQD7bTxYlPFi-0ze55ti4CV8d1VDaiOrY3Q-RrOGWWDGwS3AJZSJB6cLW9xlqMk4FXXsZNMVkqcg3FIzY1pSZ9R-SwVw/s200/Palm+warbler+9018.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269704606490842722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvsC41Wz3naqKTKyOTxl7zmYeudaZXMrqPr9xqoDnc2fXeHc9ugDz7QtiRXmenxhq8pxTJas9Rrp4Kk4NvFUGquPCrt4s1S4pn3zJ2PX-sBO0hjs_Jgsjwh2ad0NZY7IkqBt7M_bL6hnT/s200/still+watching+you2.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil44Rg2c6e8uxhPq491Y2NNz2xoxqZyEC-CiCBW9Gs-SjLhf_UNGeBeepk4OH3qh8OFUDQYFKnCgz0nqrCN3lZ0kAYOGhvFgF1NXuvo0IstcAi_ruRetrat_-nXhE06jhmHU2SV1Xr6txU/s1600-h/ruddy+turnstone+holland+park_3037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269709798660690562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil44Rg2c6e8uxhPq491Y2NNz2xoxqZyEC-CiCBW9Gs-SjLhf_UNGeBeepk4OH3qh8OFUDQYFKnCgz0nqrCN3lZ0kAYOGhvFgF1NXuvo0IstcAi_ruRetrat_-nXhE06jhmHU2SV1Xr6txU/s200/ruddy+turnstone+holland+park_3037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269701783452906626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8fcLFy8WWr7vryGjEnV0_AgMkCPJDvHNVWBVvnvB-qmLgxJ2MpVjiopxQ0kYCDInIAJg4tG3WNZ9rq_gTRkAyvRvSv5O-_ZADiWOi5_b2482407yD1qwTHCS6k3tD8aeeTyE7z2-ISj_/s200/YCNHupload7414.jpg" border="0" /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLu5geFtnddP7g24gm1JNklwAPPbX-wFdtwKl6upiUGjNt_ikCKiYNI4xHAVOjZn36mrZjKmXB_sC25TeglKubfEcFkfozZg7mQQR1bh66hhCZ9lcj5L4TLOCP1rvmq3vrxwJqXgqNRez/s1600-h/quite+a+spread.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269710790085685090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLu5geFtnddP7g24gm1JNklwAPPbX-wFdtwKl6upiUGjNt_ikCKiYNI4xHAVOjZn36mrZjKmXB_sC25TeglKubfEcFkfozZg7mQQR1bh66hhCZ9lcj5L4TLOCP1rvmq3vrxwJqXgqNRez/s200/quite+a+spread.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqe4j8hQ46lRyBd9g9cdpmMEzTvjLWjb6dIC78ZStHUf-92SVWWc943nXClY5Pj22jYAKSh1Thxvv_ak5L8bkddNr5X3lYjQx7l_14ym8OD3OLNLP9NKhBmV1yZUIvR1hIz54HVfKRgnJ/s1600-h/what+warbler3562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269740464006940290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqe4j8hQ46lRyBd9g9cdpmMEzTvjLWjb6dIC78ZStHUf-92SVWWc943nXClY5Pj22jYAKSh1Thxvv_ak5L8bkddNr5X3lYjQx7l_14ym8OD3OLNLP9NKhBmV1yZUIvR1hIz54HVfKRgnJ/s200/what+warbler3562.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-17658327134866556042008-10-24T17:06:00.000-04:002008-11-02T16:28:43.986-05:00Sometimes They Just Come to Visit Me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraq_OwKDDmSvrqT-E_gIyc1WUYjQWxFm1PozJBtw4bLs5fIbqIDp_MaePuZ_h2Z68oMPaaEkeL0CH_NGGZvndDUHgoo2mARrDU9lqTzFDWsazwbVSVDRsrmD_BKw4J9QaRgL1tWqqONaQ/s1600-h/just+two+5311.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264164111137292930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraq_OwKDDmSvrqT-E_gIyc1WUYjQWxFm1PozJBtw4bLs5fIbqIDp_MaePuZ_h2Z68oMPaaEkeL0CH_NGGZvndDUHgoo2mARrDU9lqTzFDWsazwbVSVDRsrmD_BKw4J9QaRgL1tWqqONaQ/s320/just+two+5311.JPG" border="0" /></a>Now just because I don't feed the birds doesn't mean that they don't come to visit me. Quite the contrary, I do in fact get birds that visit me. At first it was just a pair of Eurasian Collared Doves. I say just but this pair taught me something and gave me hours of enjoyment. I also mourned their loss when the hawks found their nests and their babies. I watched them trying to protect the little ones through a hurricane only to abandon the nest after the storm. Not sure if it was because of the storm or if something else got to the eggs that time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7TFcVcbSJpVBiWLezrGA_RnFSDK9YVKjYuMM-Xjp78cl2CZhxpu0V4Atp1PsTOPab3H5IrMmMokJ_fulmoMob6z_IzByu2tdatST1nGV9eOsUNQzzxgIMjuy4-V7kNZGXnSfjj81UTFv/s1600-h/bj3743+(2a).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264164470329674194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 220px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7TFcVcbSJpVBiWLezrGA_RnFSDK9YVKjYuMM-Xjp78cl2CZhxpu0V4Atp1PsTOPab3H5IrMmMokJ_fulmoMob6z_IzByu2tdatST1nGV9eOsUNQzzxgIMjuy4-V7kNZGXnSfjj81UTFv/s320/bj3743+(2a).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div><br />There were other birds around the usually suspects, mocker, Blue Jays and Cardinals and soon I had a couple of visiting sapsuckers and in season I found the Norfolk Island Pine loaded with Palm Warblers.</div><br /><div>One of the biggest thrills was watching a Kestrel at the top of the Norfolk Island Pine. He soon became a daily occurrence and I was lost when he disappeared. But when the seasons changed he was back in the pine tree again. That is until Wilma too it down and the Condo in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUXWFBci3PlVyWjfp-K5oEAwQyjTkHKWMNRu6aUYDrjfYM4ZRMz__2HeYY3yD0qU-KLt-WiGaYVmkSKRsdl8gozLM-Z0s-NUlPT_oK9dOc-z0I7gvWn8VjwwKZlB4om-9UzIh81Gki-rX/s1600-h/mybackyard0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264165183585836898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUXWFBci3PlVyWjfp-K5oEAwQyjTkHKWMNRu6aUYDrjfYM4ZRMz__2HeYY3yD0qU-KLt-WiGaYVmkSKRsdl8gozLM-Z0s-NUlPT_oK9dOc-z0I7gvWn8VjwwKZlB4om-9UzIh81Gki-rX/s320/mybackyard0.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>turn had all the large trees cut down in fear of future storm damage. But that’s another story and I need to get back to my birds. Even now I see the Kestrel occasionally sometimes on the roof of the condo and sometime in a tree top when I am out for a walk in the neighborhood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAliTuoVUjflRBI89yKInYe83he4dq8LO614LzyS4qariWrWL5HVammoA8k_HtgY7vvh732wPt0O0v6fPSHNosfGqGKbkEkTR2UEyuR5F_lfVUg8-5hI1dll0pmLLb5J6wVe4FBkXGeMl8/s1600-h/PWsm+3185.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264173197004500818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAliTuoVUjflRBI89yKInYe83he4dq8LO614LzyS4qariWrWL5HVammoA8k_HtgY7vvh732wPt0O0v6fPSHNosfGqGKbkEkTR2UEyuR5F_lfVUg8-5hI1dll0pmLLb5J6wVe4FBkXGeMl8/s320/PWsm+3185.JPG" border="0" /></a>I get all excited when a bird comes to visit me for the first time. I try to get picture but I don’t always succeed especially if the bird is a warbler. Those little guys don’t sit still for nothing. I have had several warblers visit the little tree outside my porch and a few interesting butterflies and bugs too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJTfHoA2aIs5ty1tEPVB96aFWcnl9M-PT9kjdkpLR1fc9bIgbSuaCQHD8os71XxzRvxuMr7zGJDsqKy0Q7FU75gV4ofMFYWZiaxPWrypr69bUeEsiMB43PnkKDlgDxPkZ6VS-aQoRBgVA/s1600-h/sliding+down+the+banister+2_4468.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264166090976532626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJTfHoA2aIs5ty1tEPVB96aFWcnl9M-PT9kjdkpLR1fc9bIgbSuaCQHD8os71XxzRvxuMr7zGJDsqKy0Q7FU75gV4ofMFYWZiaxPWrypr69bUeEsiMB43PnkKDlgDxPkZ6VS-aQoRBgVA/s320/sliding+down+the+banister+2_4468.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the best visits came when I was on my way to work. I was walking along the catwalk making my way to the elevator when I saw this hawk at the pool. Now the question was do I go back to the apartment and get the camera or do I just go to work knowing he will be gone when I get back. Well folks sometime you just got to take a chance and I did. Got the camera and got a few shots and I tried getting closer by going down the stairs and as I was on the second floor landing taking pictures something caught my eye and I turned to look and there was a second one in the palm tree. Well I go a couple of shots of him before he flew down to join the other one. Then I got shots of the two of them. They let me get pretty close and I was a happy camper. Just couldn’t wait to tell the folks at birding about this adventure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_UjylkleNKUn3mDl9fhhzySzu_CYait4jre2XQEU1zwGtPWwV_J6RVkYP7nwM_TAivLBbCbFGpQDAJ23mf33kwipM48KgN7OYF6uriV1OVOvSsbVx91z8zCU0BM-Y9SPJwk-q1XQKN1j/s1600-h/IO+moth.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264167887823249874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_UjylkleNKUn3mDl9fhhzySzu_CYait4jre2XQEU1zwGtPWwV_J6RVkYP7nwM_TAivLBbCbFGpQDAJ23mf33kwipM48KgN7OYF6uriV1OVOvSsbVx91z8zCU0BM-Y9SPJwk-q1XQKN1j/s320/IO+moth.jpg" border="0" /></a>Some time the visitors are moths or butterflies or dragonflies or lizards. One never knows what will be waiting for her just outside her condo.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxMwCLtPwbbVr6VxAdS7PljD6jt6195zgI0KVjHnxfq0M03BH4gVnnRMBMcoJX0NyLEEEh8qpugOtQF6JWHeBdF9xNd1bdeSPA__9NuBQy8lB_ZUEoEIMoaTNILTOID1xnHxJHacRhCwJ/s1600-h/curlytail_0274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264168211974580898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxMwCLtPwbbVr6VxAdS7PljD6jt6195zgI0KVjHnxfq0M03BH4gVnnRMBMcoJX0NyLEEEh8qpugOtQF6JWHeBdF9xNd1bdeSPA__9NuBQy8lB_ZUEoEIMoaTNILTOID1xnHxJHacRhCwJ/s320/curlytail_0274.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsefKj5dd-e6ifiZNO9DGGrN3nJk94aNMtBncFeI5YzoKf12zj-zBbyc5DAy8AOoH2Vv2kVljrnOlpx9HhAi4qWPjIjiAdDrVPECHcC0gpM8Ixe8vtlV0gBkKAhXsduzSNkZQE8E5owAg/s1600-h/CTbaby+sm_0489.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_RBTJVsxiL-OHsRyM34Q8F8sxNs-Gcb4s7otKhhJpogaSCWHBbocdF58IXbOtgp-J7Kq3iPhMx0syKMwyTQtA2stsb2pGNBbhO-K9tBZfSSQQbnmhLWKTcoRUhoAJzE8x31NKlv1gTbJ/s1600-h/love+this+walk_0671.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-51439791249031015622008-10-19T16:35:00.001-04:002008-10-25T22:13:27.060-04:00Other Amazing Places<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6KRw6RC_YdefQ3mOx7qoVYZyGfA-Pg16OnB83OIh3rsh9IDhh1z-cEY02UyVD39I434ISWR4OyTS074c0f-9JhzW7Yfez_nQPuDDBx7c2j8G_kCY_DqTTkxLHIIHJUubELdN7gVKWHtQ/s1600-h/wakodahatchee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261278596287211138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6KRw6RC_YdefQ3mOx7qoVYZyGfA-Pg16OnB83OIh3rsh9IDhh1z-cEY02UyVD39I434ISWR4OyTS074c0f-9JhzW7Yfez_nQPuDDBx7c2j8G_kCY_DqTTkxLHIIHJUubELdN7gVKWHtQ/s320/wakodahatchee.jpg" border="0" /></a> As I said in the beginning, not everywhere I go to bird is in Broward County. One or actually two of my favorite places are in Palm Beach. Delray to be exact! Wakodahatchee and Green Cay are absolutely wonderful places to go. There is so much activity at these two places it is unbelievable. I used to spend more time there then I do today but that is because I have been spending my time in search or Broward’s Birds. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3_KjlE06C6I4Oq8BWvkpqHBS47JtiKKtXFJRcaVlOUXOxQqhVvXQS55QQHp5BMBJG5cZHqP1VSRQPQh5P2RIwB-d7Z8IpdN1kqYVZ8wmR9FdDrGCq5at3dZ_4IUexin-o7hfoFTl4Hb-/s1600-h/GreenCay.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261278602115799874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflyVYz78ERA3Da9wavCZrYl98UaQkO2Phk8kdPMkkTZMKz1vM9EZju1LGaO5cGhbjcsi12ulQgAkXvofbCLaz1ltF0CqXwyME0-uvoWCf7v7dJ4UeeR3RM91H209NXq5-z0BHI6H1bNQ8/s320/GreenCay.jpg" border="0" />Also on this coast but a lot further north is Merritt Island. If I had a choice today on where I could go to live it might be in that area. Might??? Who am I kidding would move there in a hot minute. I fell in love with that place years ago when I was traveling around Florida for the company I was working for at the time. They get different birds there then we see down at this end on this side of the state at least. I took a friend with me last time I went and she is not exactly a birder but when we drove around the bend and the water was filled with pink birds she suddenly became interested. But that was the extent of her interest. She was not interested in scouring through every cluster of ducks to see what else might be there. She did however enjoy the gift shop……….smile.......so did I.....bigger smile. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261278602027276850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhsCIM4fDCJL9U3VwWIBnIUdjBzPNVxBCzDeD1JDp3e7wFs89QX48EJGFR6TXIiLVDsq2oXRkR8zWmoG7JgCeSdyn8ZH19QPTEjqFZaEktrT7uwMaMrvd4We6g6QEELX-FZmX3WQDOs7U/s320/spoonbills+gr+2682.jpg" border="0" />Now on the west coast I love the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Sanibel Island’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Sanctuary. Both are amazing places. I certainly must get over there this year if possible. It has been a long, long time since I have been to either place, and longer since I have been to the Everglades. Time for a Florida West Coast Trip! Wonder if old Bessie is up to it? <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261278613783830018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJa14WHGmztQOD0tosnHHJXUnHJNk6ZD5jahO6vEHzAyR9PVMS3Fct1GH7mofIri3vtLVpk_alkpZmDAsNYWLKfyMfQvonB5EQUNxX0kYyH1ljjBebZo8Y4mLFuJF90Krdbuxqs08x2BAG/s320/NIGHTHERON.jpg" border="0" />Of course there are more places that I go to and tons more that I would like to visit but there is so little space and so many good birding places. I hope once I get a new car I will get out and about to more places in particular the places I haven’t been yet. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261278615072472914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0xQ_gxZSjwTnE4fayYb9-Nvum4k2C_Nud0YVVjDGwYE_KQqU9f6ThcxJOwceEkecJ42B-iG5H7Hq-tuLEbd23Lg3nC97_T5c5Tg6MHf9KUvSWifYrfg3AVrO7UrpOSstGUZD-yfjwMsP/s320/swampflower.jpg" border="0" />I will as I go along feature each and every birding space but for now I will just tease you with bits and pieces. Enjoy!!!!! And Good Birding to each and everyone!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-76518879950438671002008-10-13T18:07:00.001-04:002008-10-24T16:43:24.956-04:00THE THINGS I SEE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XPOBpFn7zg3Ue-FY98olhHUkapCsmfwYSpqmJbiguzqX-EanvAWoSp3HVX8W57cLMG5mRFyz1s5hQt95WN6S7klfiBVepx3jf9s5BOJQuDMmMI2nYYU2KrZQpx0fU-p0aw4q0nHxnT_g/s1600-h/bananaflower4593.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258953231757866578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XPOBpFn7zg3Ue-FY98olhHUkapCsmfwYSpqmJbiguzqX-EanvAWoSp3HVX8W57cLMG5mRFyz1s5hQt95WN6S7klfiBVepx3jf9s5BOJQuDMmMI2nYYU2KrZQpx0fU-p0aw4q0nHxnT_g/s200/bananaflower4593.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When I am out and about I see all manner of interesting things. My main reason for going out and about is to look for birds of course but that quest will often bring other rewards. These rewards come in the shape of butterflies, dragonflies, flowers, reptiles and<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocZQcYgQXCclPre6gClVspTgrzmBRKl67o3O8BWJ-SHUGTeZhje6cH5tif0ubs7QRFlFaFFzheShnKX7PP2-JQLrOmWPPGQcU0gCEGJrjxmXchSsrRkVgszDae0WPiWVL9Cdfol-MQJdJ/s1600-h/Gators000.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258955512218237554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocZQcYgQXCclPre6gClVspTgrzmBRKl67o3O8BWJ-SHUGTeZhje6cH5tif0ubs7QRFlFaFFzheShnKX7PP2-JQLrOmWPPGQcU0gCEGJrjxmXchSsrRkVgszDae0WPiWVL9Cdfol-MQJdJ/s200/Gators000.JPG" border="0" /></a> mammals. Now this is just a general listing as I am known to photograph just about anything that catches my interest and stands still long enough to let me take it's picture as you will find out if you follow this blog.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k5tNEWjCXbYQ6o_gS-kyjDG8ThZ8nd-sXd1dnLSmH8wVm0EedtCEQq19JwVLwygWlqWdbtnrQG2IqNvpl5jWtmAOhyjcp_t954xYM0xEXoSV7HZV1aPFtD1vcu2UuKb89B1otWs1x8u7/s1600-h/common+Buckeye+9682.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258955762851988498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k5tNEWjCXbYQ6o_gS-kyjDG8ThZ8nd-sXd1dnLSmH8wVm0EedtCEQq19JwVLwygWlqWdbtnrQG2IqNvpl5jWtmAOhyjcp_t954xYM0xEXoSV7HZV1aPFtD1vcu2UuKb89B1otWs1x8u7/s200/common+Buckeye+9682.jpg" border="0" /></a> Basically I just love being outside and enjoying the fresh air and the balmy Florida breezes. There always seems to be a breeze here although <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAbz9_9q0gsy8ahg_N1n90ZT4Rk59vGE5nwG1viDPv51EzyKnJ33Qx6_t-Of5VlqgrRodVrP5Fgz7v-Pk5VhR6J1_zb8B-4Muv3cQFu9cURVH-4bIH2wIlzBlR3Tv979go2ALX_D14ubW/s1600-h/2597racoon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258955969947802866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAbz9_9q0gsy8ahg_N1n90ZT4Rk59vGE5nwG1viDPv51EzyKnJ33Qx6_t-Of5VlqgrRodVrP5Fgz7v-Pk5VhR6J1_zb8B-4Muv3cQFu9cURVH-4bIH2wIlzBlR3Tv979go2ALX_D14ubW/s200/2597racoon.jpg" border="0" /></a>in the summer it is best to hide from that hot afternoon sun. I try to get out early and get the good morning light but it doesn’t always work that way in the long run. I tend to stay away from late afternoon forays as the traffic here gets pretty heavy by then and I hate traffic. It ruins the peace and serenity I found while out and about.<br /><br /><div><div><div><p>Below you will discover a few of my favorite subjects with a brief description of what they are and where I photographed them.</p></div><div></div><div><p>The Photos above include a beautiful Banana Tree in Flower, An alligator photographed at Flamingo Gardens and no it is not in the wild but I just liked the effect of the shadows in the water. The wonderful Buckeye Butterfly was photographed at Anne Kolb Park. The Racoon was enjoying a feast that some well intentioned person had left behind for the wildlife. Guess they just don't realize what harm they are in fact causing.<br /></p></div></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258956502154614866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr_Xv5D5bLfA0e2ghxV_AwKHWnVz9RTTobJ7ScEgP8zPYtPayoH_CPwLJRCZVVlRvUBO5Asoe_2EWzyfs3XhGM8SWkJCkQSO1NYe8OY7fG0slya5_Vdr3h_Y7HnMUPwGA_RYuSmhpf8UP/s320/12+SPOTTED+FEMALE_6147.jpg" border="0" />A beautiful Banded Dragonfly photographed at Anne Kolb Park</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258958687345075250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YDyOLMBOZH7rlsfMIPvNaTUYJLxsmhvZKd5QvQe9xT3wRaStwT1IKeNgFsLrmQwQHFt8eNr9MXOYFj6AZb-uEMix1-KYctpmsnhPmyW2c1d6jzv2fGKvg0SAoShqhznsbQ8ZLZ1vusF5/s320/ibris+8337.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">A close-up of White Ibis Photographed at TY Park.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258958383107721170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsLtElr0n9EpgWM8XZpB3X1pP7cUlgIPvd5mmWalomVKv93H6qNHUdh55UL3oCWrHXRvib-UBB6nAc2tX6l9PPCC3eVx_-G6PWrCm6YBoWdB3x7PWNoHopjFs5XjjmA4SBZe1ScsUQhNM/s320/Iguana+8320.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">An Iguana catching a few rays at Flamingo Gardens</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258958991790682418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rldpoDPxufowS89bVjxRD-ckGxReWnsN3Iakx03xUXFPRo9eeTYXdhxV1ocaY8I4dqb2ymLmzwevhkdzKEdy5lckeC-34IM-FO5YUDa9Ev-npZohaQHvg6IXY47PPI8IohsgRRFgGHZs/s320/Orb+Spiders001.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">A Silk Spider photographed at Holland Park</div><div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-26622267181134351352008-10-09T10:38:00.000-04:002008-10-24T17:10:02.427-04:00THE PLACES I GOTHE PLACES I GO<br /><br />While there is a partial list of the places I go on the side of this blog. It isn't a complete list. Some of the places don't have their own WebPages and so I haven't included them in that area.<br /><br />As I have said before in my previous post I keep to local sites in and around Hollywood, FL but do visit other places from time to time. Today’s Post will cover a few of the local places that are nearby.<br /><br /><a href="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/photos/257767223_iBDfH-M.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf_o-6Atu7srUJPZUHnSCc3c2ufZgsJQnG-nbElwCkkLko-rUfRPNXY5ic_2uaQU6M-LR44vkC6-ivReNWXBmwZ9rVnVIhOtIBDdYguKnUwmjeZ8N3FQMyt6iw7svqY-hQ_IALFHpFAB4/s1600-h/view+of+lookout_2769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255673324588299458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf_o-6Atu7srUJPZUHnSCc3c2ufZgsJQnG-nbElwCkkLko-rUfRPNXY5ic_2uaQU6M-LR44vkC6-ivReNWXBmwZ9rVnVIhOtIBDdYguKnUwmjeZ8N3FQMyt6iw7svqY-hQ_IALFHpFAB4/s320/view+of+lookout_2769.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of my favorite places to go is <strong>Holland Park</strong> at 801 Johnson Street, Hollywood, Fl. 33020. This is a marvelous 23-acre park along the intercoastal waterway where you can enjoy a quiet eco-walk on a nature trail or have a picnic or just sit and enjoy the boats going up and down the intercoastal. There are also bike trails and Kayaking Lessons and a boat ramp. There are two pavilions, picnic facilities, bicycle path, nature trails, a waterfront overlook, and a waterfront observation tower.<br /><br />This park is a favorite of mine and has provided me with many lifer additions to my lifer bird list and much enjoyment as I discover what this park has to offer. If I just want to run out for a couple of hours this is one of the places I go. Sometimes though the no-see-ums can ruin a gal’s fun, so make sure you take along some bug spray if you are planning to go there in the summer.<br /><br /><strong>Snake Warrior's Island Natural Area</strong>,3600 S.W. 62nd Ave., Miramar, FL 33023 Open: Monday through Sunday 7:30am – Dusk - This 53.3 acre Natural Habitat is great place to observe wading birds and ducks, wood storks, little blue and tricolored herons, white ibis, and osprey. I have also seen both Cormorants and Anhinga fishing, hawks flying as well as a Kingfisher and a small group of killdeer. They say there are 120 species of birds there so I have my work cut out for me trying to seeing them all. I have also seen several species of Warblers there in the little Oak filled area north of the parking lot.<br /><a href="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/photos/12023634_B72cV-M.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/photos/12023634_B72cV-M.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The trail is a 1650 foot concrete Boardwalk and there are interpretive signs along the way telling about the history of the area which is all very interesting. Oh I forgot mention the important part the benches along the way so you can sit and enjoy watching the birds and other flora and fauna. Oh and let’s not forget about all the butterflies you can see there. The first time I went the ground was filled with white peacock butterflies. What a site to see!<br /><br />This trail though, is mostly in the sun and mostly used by walkers and joggers and a few people on bikes so watch out for them. I don’t see too many birders out there but I hear tell they do go there. They probably utilize the place during the week when I am working.<br /><br /><strong>Anne Kolb Nature Center</strong> 751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33019 (954)-926-2480 is a <a href="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/photos/258258075_JpoGr-M.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/photos/258258075_JpoGr-M.jpg" border="0" /></a>1,500 acre wetland mangrove forest habitat for wading birds and other wildlife, this nature center features wildlife viewing areas, narrated boat tours, exhibit trails, an Intracoastal fishing pier, a five story observation tower, and an environmental exhibit hall and my favorite a Butterfly Garden. Although I have not had much luck with birds there, (except for the day I found several Warblers feeding in a tree) I love to go there to photograph Butterflies and Dragonflies.<br /><br /><strong>Secret Woods Nature Center</strong> , 2701 W. State Rd. 84, Dania, FL 33312. (954) 791-1030. Is a 56 acre park which opened in September 1978, and I <a href="http://just-jan.smugmug.com/photos/258249988_SGd4d-M.jpg"></a>have been enjoying its beauty since I moved here to FL in 1983. Although I don't see many birds here I have seen some interesting sites from time to time. Vultures like to roost in the parking lot at night and I got there early enough one morning to see them still in their beds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_nrCP2ak7YJCvL08S7EC0oTwdfWvMVkwn5vPgKQ7DwV5NdiQwXerfqnwxP1JuDBUY5avBIdifa9G9oGEWirKn1ZJzNofEZ91ImejzZ4eTAJ7nrpw2HH1_HGJttGN8KkxUjxPYhgbLh7p/s1600-h/Butterfly+Garden4414+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255674831619066354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_nrCP2ak7YJCvL08S7EC0oTwdfWvMVkwn5vPgKQ7DwV5NdiQwXerfqnwxP1JuDBUY5avBIdifa9G9oGEWirKn1ZJzNofEZ91ImejzZ4eTAJ7nrpw2HH1_HGJttGN8KkxUjxPYhgbLh7p/s320/Butterfly+Garden4414+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a>Secret Woods has two nature trails. The Laurel Oak Trail is a mulched trail that is 1,200 feet long. It has several seating areas along the way for you to stop and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. Now I must admit I haven't used this trail much in fact I haven't been on it in years. Guess I should give it a try again huh?<br /><br />I do however frequent The New River Trail which consists of a boardwalk made almost entirely of recycled plastic lumber that winds its way out to the shore of the South Fork of the New River. It is 3,200 feet long and has several rest stops and observation points along the way.<br /><br />A recent new addition to this park is a butterfly garden which I now also frequent quite often and you will see many pictures take from here.<br /><div><br /><div><br />So these are a few of my favorite places to go locally especially if I am short on time and just want to get out for a couple of hours (giggling) which usually ends up being 4 or more. I have never been out for just 2 hours.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5049600840794028679.post-68246406656889646412008-09-30T08:15:00.000-04:002008-10-04T17:24:54.455-04:00The Beginning<strong><em>Ain’t Nature Grand?</em></strong> ........................<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdcefJYEdPeu2EFEMFjIX0dg-ufSUrFYdXRg9OAW2Z_aKXKU0FECa1iIGAh_kHTvDV5WF3zFSdWcs-DMxD4f07Yf2uZi5C83a0yPAPks5mfquGL6TTEqDrd6Kbg8TYb0uTW-RB6TLyH3T/s1600-h/butterfly+4588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253404920841354274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="224" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdcefJYEdPeu2EFEMFjIX0dg-ufSUrFYdXRg9OAW2Z_aKXKU0FECa1iIGAh_kHTvDV5WF3zFSdWcs-DMxD4f07Yf2uZi5C83a0yPAPks5mfquGL6TTEqDrd6Kbg8TYb0uTW-RB6TLyH3T/s320/butterfly+4588.JPG" width="307" border="0" /></a><br />Now when I say nature I am not necessarily talking about the weather aspect, my interests lie in the plants and critter side, like birds & butterflies, trees and flowers. I have also all my life had an interest in photography although I have never had any formal training it is still something I enjoy.<br /><br /><div><div><div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So this blog will be about my adventures poking around Broward County in Florida and discovering just what our local parks and wetlands have to offer. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253402507974400786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJKdfnYjyDToThkCJZYSuR48Z-C179cOlamtEJLP75qknlGLR4_Tbx35lKiac04CghJcE3iOoBKpbZYLGigDmVwMcOYrGqzg5j7AQ3nCqlx-bw2uD4tVttNRobbGRWbokBat5AwRqDzPR/s320/CTbaby+sm_0489.jpg" border="0" />The reason I chose Broward County is because, I live in Broward Number one and secondly because I had subscribed to a couple of Florida Birding lists hoping to find where to look for birds in Broward and soon discovered that birds are posted for areas South of here and North of here and to our West but not much is posted about Broward especially in the area in which I live. Of course from time to time I will travel to other areas in Florida and on rare occasions to other US states (I Hope). My interest in nature goes back to child hood when I would go to visit my grandmother and she would pick a posy for me and I would always ask for another one had to have one for each hand. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0G8erGQN_jqL8moUg77CBu4xRZaUiLUgurghdmQvixsuuqJnZv-i2J3RqVVQ8Cwyd8EZIlG_guxhAnjIhjHVk5qpmr0uNx1gCL4FSKQmFp35-NLeVL-ONifp8zgq1fNoc-EDK30x-8E3/s1600-h/bunting9324+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253403019001491586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0G8erGQN_jqL8moUg77CBu4xRZaUiLUgurghdmQvixsuuqJnZv-i2J3RqVVQ8Cwyd8EZIlG_guxhAnjIhjHVk5qpmr0uNx1gCL4FSKQmFp35-NLeVL-ONifp8zgq1fNoc-EDK30x-8E3/s320/bunting9324+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a>My mother had a love for birds and always had bird feeders for the birds. So I guess I come by this naturally. When I married I and had children I too had birdfeeders in my back yard that is until I moved into my condo here and was shocked to learn that bird feeders were prohibited. I went in to bird feeding withdrawal and began looking for birds to watch on line at birdfeeder cams. One day I stumbled up on a forum about birds and most of those people had feeders in their back yards and it made me feel like home. The more I got involved with the forum the more I missed having back yard birds. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8vs7uENyfT4CyRmZzpyY1jWZMV0dWM-efPrlPlR3O42t_Yf-daa48bPJ76aZCoybze06JMilbURvTXheKwXlie-xT6StdrInMFJq2SheUoD0v2OOmmrXpg3qXhSlK8mM0jY87NbDUDep/s1600-h/twin+spotted+spiketail4445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253405445423903858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8vs7uENyfT4CyRmZzpyY1jWZMV0dWM-efPrlPlR3O42t_Yf-daa48bPJ76aZCoybze06JMilbURvTXheKwXlie-xT6StdrInMFJq2SheUoD0v2OOmmrXpg3qXhSlK8mM0jY87NbDUDep/s320/twin+spotted+spiketail4445.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Then one day I decided, if I can’t have the birds come to me then I would go to the birds, and my trusty camera went with to bring back the memories to post on my computer. </div>This led to a Birding Forum to talk about birds and show off the birds I see. Then this led to my first web site which led to the present web site and the Smug Mug photo storage. Now I am attempting a Blog what’s next?As I stumble around I discovered some great places especially in Palm Beach County where birds are plentiful especially in the winter. I soon noticed that the birds became scarce in the summer and there were periods when I wouldn't see much at all and I began to search for the next best thing, Butterflies - which soon led to Dragonflies and before you know it anything that got in front of the camera became fair game.<br /><div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOzKWAGlza3knIOkYR_UY_Gspo6IQa3aWXfE4yBC-yOzVoaRBKcTqI3XrpFyGLdrcXk67FTW6n1Q8ELC3fSUOqw1KpuNieOwZY_6f3s7UP4hJWkYJh0dApYC6B4ZOxJ1Ecrxs5QQC2zbm/s1600-h/the+boss_0837a.jpg"></a></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6dLjr2eYgJZAg0mn41VdD7mzW3kknSN-w2QYlK8Uh-T-a5Ps5xLr2xq9YXxy5h9bKeGAN25gmD5nvEZCTUZu4UUsM-RIMduS4n4c8FfdCv80g0qPVpym3lcU3zr1L0g5jomVa-nwFd0Z/s1600-h/mothernchild_0887a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253399739336406082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="205" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6dLjr2eYgJZAg0mn41VdD7mzW3kknSN-w2QYlK8Uh-T-a5Ps5xLr2xq9YXxy5h9bKeGAN25gmD5nvEZCTUZu4UUsM-RIMduS4n4c8FfdCv80g0qPVpym3lcU3zr1L0g5jomVa-nwFd0Z/s320/mothernchild_0887a.jpg" width="268" border="0" /></a> So this is how it began and where it will lead me next is anyone’s guess but you can be sure that Mother Nature will certainly be involved.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><P><br /><P><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Now I ask you “<strong>Ain’t Nature Grand</strong>”? ........................” <P><br /><strong>I think it is AWSOME!!!!</strong>” </div></div></div></div>Janiskayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681527531768402958noreply@blogger.com4