Migration time at the Slough

Migration was heating up at the Slough this past week and it makes me wish that I lived nearby so that I could hop over on a daily basis. In any event, I had the opportunity to visit on Monday and enjoyed seeing/being part of this 'heaven on earth' that the slough exhumes while walking over the water - on the boardwalk that is. 

Several photos were taken and some of them were decent, take a look for yourself.....

My first interesting sighting was in the early morning hours and way up at the top of the trees, after watching it for a bit - I started to recognize

that I was admiring a Baltimore Oriole - the size, the shape, the bill and the wing bars were my main clues - the computer helped me to clarify its identity.

And then, toward the end of our boardwalk enjoyment - we were blessed with quite an exciting viewing....

right in front of us - at eye level - we had this large group of birds show up.....this Worm-eating Warbler,

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,

Yellow Warbler,

Prairie Warbler and

Carolina Wren all of a sudden gathered together and voiced some sort of excitement - they were obviously disturbed over something.....

we watched with excitement and awe and soon realized why they were so....

it was this Yellow Rat Snake that caused all this excitement - eventually the birds left the area, the snake resumed its descent down the trunk and no one was hurt in the process.

And this, my friends, concluded yet another memorable morning at the Slough.

 

Barred Owl

I tend to visit the 6 miles Cypress Slough several times during the year and every time that I do - I am always delighted with what I see. It is quite a challenge to take photos in that environment but it doesn't take away from the spiritual experience that I get from being surrounded by those tall Cypress. As always, I invite you to come and visit with me.....

and this, my friend, was the surprise of the day - a Barred Owl

How great is that! Most of the time I don't get to see this owl - once last week, Elaine and I heard it calling so we were thrilled to see it today.

Look how well it blends in with its environment, had I not followed its flight, I would have missed it entirely.

The Carolina Wrens are heard through out the Slough and often times seen too.

A nice migrant was spotted - A Worm-eating Warbler.

It is quite an acrobatic specie.

Quite a charmer, don't you think?

Talking about acrobatics - how about this squirrel hanging down while eating - very amusing and quite entertaining.

 

Six Mile Cypress Slough

I've had the opportunity to visit the Slough a couple of times for the past two weeks - each time was quite rewarding for seeing some of the migrants coming through the area....and a special bonus is the fact that the slough is at least 5 degrees cooler since it is surrounded by water and the boardwalk is in the shade. I spent more time with my binoculars than my camera but I did manage to get a few pics to share with you....

A Yellow Rat Snake was spotted above our heads - seemingly digesting something is my guess by looking at that bulge in his belly.

A Prothonotary Warbler - this has got to be one of the most striking warbler with its bright golden-yellow face and unmarked blue wings, how fortunate we are to see it as it travels through our area.

The Carolina Wren on the other hand is not a migrant but a year around resident - either way, it's a treat to spot one and watch it as it vocalizes away.

 

The birds are coming!

"The birds are coming back!", that's what I was thinking to myself when I noticed that a few species that I hadn't seen for a couple of months are now making an appearance and that, my friends, is a very good thing.

Come along and see what's happening at the Bailey Tract....

a Pair of Pileated Woodpeckers made themselves known by their kuk kuk keekeekeekeekeekuk kuk high-pitch sound which was followed by their drumming action - don't you just love to watch those as they go up/down/around the trunk while tilting their head in order to hear the insects within the wood!

Nearby, a male Anhinga wondered what the fuss was all about.

Then I came around the corner and right away noticed....

a Gator's head on the alert....

I'd be willing to bet that it saw me before I saw it....

and off it went to the pond across the trail - after all the ponds across the way always look much better, don't they?

A yellow bellied Cooter was leading the way on the path - slow and steady it goes.

A young Red-bellied Woodpecker - it doesn't have any red feathers yet.

Ha! Looks who's back! A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher buzzing by and moving quickly between the branches as it gobbled up insects galore.

Across the path a Carolina Wren with the sunlight hitting it just right - I love it when a photo comes together like that.....pure luck if you ask me.

And look who else is here....

A beautiful Prairie Warbler.

On my way out I finally got to see the family of

Mottled Ducks - 5 of them now and almost all grown up.

A Spotted Sandpiper silently flew in front of me before landing on this grassy weed bed - making me reflect on all the birds that I saw this morning and making me smile with the thoughts that the birds are coming back for the winter - how sweet is that!

Then, just as I get ready to get in my car - I noticed this Buteo at first thinking it was the usual Red-shouldered Hawk until I put my bins up - wait a minute....this is not what I thought! Those birds are a challenge and they are always sending me to my books and my friends ;) to confirm the right identity....

and it was finally figured out that I was looking at a Light Short-tailed Hawk - how sweet is that....and what a great way to end the morning!! I am blessed.

 

 

Monday = Beginnings

It's Monday, let's start a fresh week!

I see the moon is still up - so I lace up my shoes and head to the beach.

Along the boardwalk - a Southern Toad is watching me go by.

....and there she is, in all her glory....

amazing how it looks with a close-up....it actually resemble a melon with its 'navel'.

I turn around and witness another day in its infancy with all the brilliance of its glory....

I'm ready for whatever the day will bring.

Ha! A Snowy Plover will do.

And perhaps some golden Sea Oats gently blowing and bending in the wind.

It helps to remain pliable and go with the flow.

After getting my fill of golden hues, I came home to be greeted by this pair of Carolina Wren....

"New Beginnings" indeed!