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Posted by Paul-the-other on 14:42:48 03/18/07
Our visit to the Everglades National Park was enjoyable; Saturday. Low of 52 and high of 78 with blue skies.
We saw many bluebirds at Long Pine Key picnic area. One in particular was heavily braceleted. Four tags in total. Right leg had a red tag on top and a gay tag below. The left leg was black on top with silver below. The birds were in the area of the picnic tables and going from tree to tree. One was a non-breeding female which we had never seen before. Several nuthatches looping through the upper branches.
With a little whistling we called up the towhees (only took 10 minutes not bad for an old timer). Along with them came an overbird, a brown thrasher, two mockingbirds, two cardinals, three fish crows, 25+ yellow-rump warblers,and about 10 catbirds. Unfortunatly also came three minutes later two car load of "boom boxes" and a man that purported to be their science teacher. I say purported because in total their collective demeanor was crass, loud, and brash and somewhat out of keeping with the serenty of the Everglades.
The birds left. And we left for Flamingo.
Eco-pond is dry and ugly and dead and smelly. Oh for the glory that once was Rome!
It was the baby osprey in all of the many nests there that made the day. Are they cute and many about to fledge. One nest by the fish cleaning shed, one on the meteorological tower, one on the boat ramp (fledged baby) one on the road to eco-pond, one by the old cabins (two babies), one on the pylon by the harbor entrance.
Mrazek pond was a novelty. A large number of yellowlegs mixed with willets ansd scores of ibis were gleaning the fish, crayfish and assorted objects. White pelicans were also present and had to wade as the water was very shallow. The pelicans fed by turning their beak sidewise. Woodstork arrived in numbers and then came more ibis. There were so many fish that some actually were driven up onto the water bank to escape the pursuit.
Met Scott Campbell at Mrazek (see his post below) Hope he had luck with his bird list and congrats to his wife with the 400 club pin. Scott, we finally saw the Kites at Flamingo circling the demolished cabin area. I looked for you to pass on the word but didn't see you in the area. Pity.
The camp grounds are only 15% used. Both tent and trailers. No people.
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