SIGNS OF SPRING

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!


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.

Both of these birds tend start early in January and February and by the time the rest of the birds decide 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.

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.

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.


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.

Not too many warblers around but the Purple Martins were busy as bees at both locations.


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.

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.

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.

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 noticed 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. .

Along with all the birding activity I am seeing more butterflies and dragonflies around. There are lots of flowering shrubs and trees in 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 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.

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.