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Posted by Jeff Weber on 17:21:06 11/18/07
Miguel Padura and I birded Everglades National Park today and got some nice views of seasonal regulars. We saw Western Kingbirds at Flynn's and several more on Aerojet Road. There were many Sandhill Cranes in the plowed fields around Lucky Hammock, and a really handsome Peregrine and a dark -phase Short Tailed Hawk were patroling low just outside the park entrance. Research Road brought lots of Northern Harriers, both male and female.
Also at the park entrance, I was finally able to buy a "Golden Age" pass to all the national parks for just $10, having turned the magic 62 in September. This was a bittersweet moment, to be sure. It served as a reminder that I'd better get cooking if I want to hit 700 ABA area birds while I am still able to hobble around. A key step in this quest is to head for Montana and Wyoming on Brian and Paul's national parks tour next June. Check it out on the TAS home page.
We had Roseate Spoonbills and White-crowned Pigeon at Paurotis Pond. Also at Paurotis was an alligator with a seriously deformed jaw looking for a handout (didn't oblige, natch). Its lower jaw was all skewed off to one side with most of the teeth showing; couldn't tell if this was a birth defect or from an injury -- poor critter.
Flamingo had a light-phase Short-tailed Hawk. The best surprise at Flamingo was finding that Gumby, the big toothless crocodile, had returned to its usual resting place across from the marina. Hadn't seen Gumby since the '05 hurricanes. Also there were four other crocs, including a big one I hadn't seen before with a lower tooth that had to go 3 inches snugged into the slot on the upper jaw.
Headed back, we stopped at Snake Bight and walked in about a quarter mile until the mosquitos found us. Along the path was a big rotting log that was torn apart and strewn all over by something way bigger than a Raccoon. Black bear crossed my mind, though I have never heard of one in the Flamingo area.
One final thing to report: On Saturday, I kayaked the tidal creeks south of Matheson Hammock. Saw a dark-phase Short Tail there, but the unexpected sighting of the day was a raccoon swimming down the creek in front of me with something in its mouth (couldn't tell what). When it saw me it turned a hard right and bolted into the mangroves with its prize.
That's all for now, folks.
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