A visit to Green Cay and Wakodahatchee

Once per year the Caloosa Bird Club takes a bus trip to go to the East Coast of Florida to visit Green Cay and Wakodahatchee - it is a trip that I really look forward to and this Sunday was the day! Come along and visit with me.....

Along the entrance to Green Cay - which was shielded from the 30+mph wind gusts - a few butterflies caught my attention, this Atala stole the show.

This bird feeder is quite the attractor for the Painted Buntings.

This following segment takes place at Wakodahatchee - here is a Gray-cheeked Swamphen, notice the red face and bill which matches the legs and feet.

Further down a Common Gallinule family captured my interest...

The Pied-billed Grebe might be pondering the fact that it will be in breeding mode soon.

A first time sighting for me was this Juvenile Purple Gallinule.

It was pretty amazing that it was able to stay put while eating the flowers while the wind kept on gusting.

Not too far away....perhaps the parent to the above juvenile....notice the candy cane bill is just like the Common Gallinule bill....one difference being that the Purple Gallinule, beside being purple has a blue patch between the eyes.

And let's not forget about the Wood Storks! This year is seemingly a successful season for nesting and that's a very good thing.

Check those chicks out!

Good thing the parents know what they're doing - with all those legs in such a small nesting area I'd be afraid to step on my babies.

A couple Great Blue Heron chicks waiting for the parents to return with more food.

Another Wood Stork family.

A soon to fledge Cormorant (left) with parent on right.

More Gray-cheeked Moorhen.

A Cattle Egret in full breeding attire.

And, as with all my adventure, this too comes to an end.....I hope that you enjoyed this visit.

Coming and going

Spring season brings about many changes, my winter friends are heading to their northern homes, the birds that have been here for several months are leaving toward their nesting grounds - in the meantime we have birds that are passing through and some that have arrived and are now nesting. Having said that - I've been spending more time locally and I'm sharing with you what I've seen the past couple of days....

A female Painted Bunting at the Shell Mound in Ding Darling, as well as....

a Blackpoll Warbler and....

a Black-throated Blue Warbler, sweet! While I was walking the boardwalk I met some folks and one gal shared some info about a Chuck-will-widow. This was quite a good tip to come across as I've never seen one - so, off I went to observe this camouflaged fellow....

I can see why it would be difficult to find when it is on the ground....

surrounded by dark twigs/foliage etc. I limited the amount of time greatly as I didn't want to distress the bird.

This morning I found myself along the beach with the moon glow in my back and the sun rising to the east. A Mottled Duck came in for a landing but missed a bit - hence the sand on its breast.

I think it's going to be another great day!

The Snowy Plovers were up already and busily feeding along the shoreline.

This one was resting along the whelk egg cases - blending in quite well too.

Its mate wasn't too far away.

My second stop today took me at the Lighthouse where I set my eyes on a beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird - wow on its red throat!

Not too far in the parking lot, we found a Painted Box Turtle - what interesting design on its shell!

By the Lighthouse a Grey Kingbird was chasing insects and returning to this twig to eat it.

Around the corner a Gopher Tortoise was getting ready to return to its borrow.

Another beautiful view of that Ruby-throated Hummingbird, I'm blessed today.

The Magnificent Frigatebird sealed the day.

 

Markham Park in Broward Co.

Tis the season .... lalalalala....

and folks, wishes do come tru to those who believe!

For the past 3 weeks I had been reading about reports of two beautiful birds making repeated appearances on the east coast and I was delighted to get a chance to set my eyes on them, so with a little detour on our way to visit family, we made a stop at: Markham Park.

As soon as we pulled up in the parking lot I could see birders heading away from the reported area toward their cars and I thought to myself....this can't be good.....I asked about the Western Spindalis and was told that he flew into the dog park. The Spot-breasted Orioles were still hanging around and I spent some time admiring them.

Wow - what a bright burst! This was my first time seeing this bird, what a beauty!

After a bit the Orioles left so I ventured into the Nature trail where I spotted several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.

A few Prairies were around too - seeking cover from the wind.....soon I was itching to return to the flowering tree where I hoped the Spindalis and Orioles had returned.

A group of them were back feasting on bugs nestled within those blooms - quite entertaining to watch those little acrobats.

I can see why they are called Spot-breasted Oriole even though my brain keeps calling them Black-spotted!!

My husband Tony was spending his time reading the New York Times near the entrance of the Nature Trail - I visited with him and shared my updates - he then shared my day's horoscope with me and it was so apropos that I'm putting it here: "Once upon a time you gave up too quickly, only to find out that if you had hung on for a short while longer you would have succeeded. Now you have the determination to see it through." So, this was exactly what I needed to hear and off I went to wait for the Spindalis.

Someone shouted: There! In the Cypress tree.

Really?? Where??

There! Meet the Western Spindalis.

What a beauty! Would you drive 250 miles for this bird?

I will remember this day - this is really special - I smiled so much that my face was hurting and a headache was brewing - but it was so worth it.

The Spindalis left after a bit and I revisited the Butterfly Garden.

A lady Painted Bunting

Blooms, butterfly and Aphids - a ladybug is needed.

And a bird of question - after searching in my books and asking my birding friends - this bird turned out to be a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

The wild wild world of birds always brings a little mystery to the mix - all we need are clues which leads us to the answers.....

This bird gave me enough clues - a Northern Parula.

After birding for a few hours - we explored this large park and found a lovely shady spot to have lunch by the water side. If you even find yourself in that area I would highly recommend a visit....this park has it all: dog park, nature trail, playground, tennis, racquetball, marina, bike trail, picnic shelterssss, target range, model airplane field, campground and plenty of restrooms. Free entrance during the week and I think it's 1.50/car during the weekend. I had a good time watching birds and tallied up 39 species, my E-bird List for that beautiful day.