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Posted by tricia on 16:07:59 11/25/08
It was a spectacular day to be out in the sparrow field between Lucky Hammock and the C111 canal.
I got out there this morning with plans to look for my latest favorite, the white form Swainsons hawk. As I parked the car a quick sweep of the field provided about a dozen Swainsons, one of which was close in. I grabbed my stuff and stumbled down the berm watching and hoping that the White bird would stay in close range.As I walked by the LeConte's area, a dark sparrow flushed up into the grass clump.I really wanted that Swainson's but stopped and took a look at the sparrow that was posing for me out in the open.It was the LeContes!(thanks Danny for posting those awesome shots so I could compare!). I tried to switch from bins to camera but the bird went back into the grass where I could not get a picture of it.
While I was viewing the sparrow , my Swainsons of choice flew further out in the field followed by a TV that promptly sat next to it aand did the open wing display trick.The Swainsons was not amused and flew off again and followed by the vulture. Back to hey baby check out my wings and again no response from the Swainsons.Eventually the TV just flopped in the grass nearby and waited while the Swainsons hunted bugs. This unlikely pair stayed together until the great lift off of hawks around 945.
I then found the Yellow headed blackbird on the wires near the C111 and it was accompanied by a very insistent cowbird that demanded multiple times to be groomed.Each time it was greeted with a kick to the head.Eventually the Blackbird gave in a gave it a little preening.
Some fine folks from Niceville ,Fl, drove up looking for the YHB and after we all got more great looks we headed down to Pahayokee to look for the Rusty blackbirds.
As we were driving ,we spotted a tremendous swarm of swallows that was tightly circling a small bush and flying into it en masse.It was really cool to watch.
We never did find the Rusty Blackbirds but I did get two new life birds .
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