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Posted by Toe on 19:13:13 01/26/09
I had to go to Key Largo for work today so I made the extra "hop" for the cormorant in the afternoon. I didn't have my regular spotting scope with me since I had loaned it to Angel & Mariel, who are trying to set a record for most times saying the phrase "I already got that for the year" in one year. I had to take my Celestron 102mm telescope/spotting scope to make due. This one came with an image-correcting prism, so I don't have to see everything upside-down and backwards like in most telescopes. When I arrived at the spot I found a bunch of empty rocks. Bummer! I figured I'd wait to see if it came back, but I figured that was unlikely. I then noticed a channel marker to the SW, so I walked down the beach to get a better look. I walked a bit and checked out the marker and saw a few cormorants on it, and one on the very top looked smaller than the rest. I walked down to get as close as possible until I was directly in front of the marker and with the scope at 50X easily spotted the Neotropic perched on top of the marker along with 4-5 Double-cresteds. Chaching! At least the extra drive, the long walk over slimy rocks, and the horrific sight of the old, overweight unclothed guy on the way out made it worthwhile. I'd guess that the Neotropic, and the other cormorants, get up at first light and go fishing. Around noon, they come to the rocks to dry off, and in the afternoon go to the marker to roost. Just a theory.
In the morning, I stopped at the Annex for a quick look for the Bell's Vireo but didn't see it. I did get a Lincoln's Sparrow, and the place was very birdy. I'm debating whether to have a Bell's Special Double Cream Stout or an Avery Mephistopheles Stout. Only a stout will do for a Neotropic!
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