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Posted by Roxanne Featherly on 18:14:19 09/17/09
Bahia Honda Birding and Snorkeling Trip
On Sunday September 13, the Conch Fritters (Jeanette, David, Troy and I) went on a birding/snorkeling trip to Bahia Honda Key. We were concerned about the weather because of the significant chance of thunderstorms, but after a cloudy start, a double rainbow signaled the beginning of a perfect day. Some of the birds we saw on the drive down were Cattle and Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Osprey and Belted Kingfishers.
We arrived at Bahia Honda around 9:30AM. The park was deserted. As we launched the canoe and kayak, David spotted a Magnificent Frigatebird flying overhead. From the beach we paddled to a small island just offshore. This small island with 3 black mangrove trees is where we began our exploration. As we approached the island I counted 100 terns...98 Royals, 1 Sandwich, and 1 Common, plus one ugly molting Double-crested Cormorant perched near the water s edge. After landing on the island we found Fuzzy Chitons, Rock-boring Urchins, a Sargeant Major, Mangrove Snapper, Beaugregory, and a Harlequin Bass in the tidal pools.
Next we donned our snorkeling gear and jumped in the water. We circumnavigated the island. At first we swam along the western edge bordering the channel. The current was strong and the water murky, but as we moved to the south side of the island, the water cleared and the terrain became more reef-like filled with an amazing array of corals, sea fans, jelly fish and of course, colorful tropical fish. The highlight of our swim was Jeanette s sighting of a giant 60 pound Permit.
We were in the water for about one and a half hours before we got out to eat lunch under the black mangrove trees. While we ate our sandwiches, chips and apple pie, we spotted shore birds Least and Western Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, and Semi-palmated Plovers. The lone cormorant was still there.
After lunch we headed back to the mainland with the wind at our backs returning in half the time of the outbound trip. David used the 10 knot wind to his advantage by sailing back with an opened umbrella used as a mainsail. After loading up the boats and stowing all the gear, we walked through the butterfly garden. We saw only a pair of Gulf Fritillary butterflies. No Miami Blue.
Next, we followed the trail up to Henry Flagler s Bahia Honda Bridge. On the way up, Jeanette and I looked down at the beach and spotted a flock of 14 Willets flying in with a mix of Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones and Semi-palmated Plovers. At the top we had sweeping views of the Gulf on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It was here we had up close and personal views of Barn and Rough-winged Swallows and Osprey. It was at this point the afternoon storm clouds began to rumble, so we headed back down the trail and returned to our cars spotting a pair of Eastern Kingbirds perched on a wire. Although we all wanted to get back in the water for another swim around the island, we put our sun-bronzed bodies back in our cars and headed home. Next trip....Looe Key here we come! (Tricia, you should have dipped on the house cleaning and joined us!)
THE FISH LIST (AND OTHER NEAT STUFF)
Princess, Rainbow and Stoplight Parrotfish
Dusky Damselfish
Scrawled Cowfish
Mutton and Yellowtail Snapper
Schoolmaster
Fairy Basslet
Bluestriped Grunt
Great Barracuda
Doctorfish
Ocean Surgeonfish
Blue Tang (blue adult and yellow juvenile)
Silver Porgy
Bluehead Wrasse
Yellowhead Wrasse
Slippery Dick (I swear I m not making this up!)
Queen Conch
Mantis Shrimp
Brittlestar
Basket Sponge
Tube Sponge
Loggerhead Sponge (No Sponge Bob, but Troy saw Patrick)
Mermaid Wine glass
Moon Jellyfish
Knobby Brain Coral
Branching Fire Coral
Purple Sea Whip
Common Sea Fans
Sun Anemone
And much, much, more that we did not identify
Drive Fast
Bird and Snorkel Like Crazy
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