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Posted by Judd Patterson on 14:22:50 01/10/10
Figuring that it couldn't be that much colder outside than my unheated apartment (which was a chilly 49.4F this morning), I headed out to explore.
I took a different route to Everglades, to see if there was ice out west of Krome avenue in Miami-Dade. There was tons of irrigation in progress, but no ice. The coldest I saw on my car thermometer was 34F...but my friend reported ice on his mango trees at the far west end of SW 216 St.
I headed on into Everglades where Anhinga Trail was full of extremely cold Anhinga's, and huddles of vultures and cormorants. The boardwalk was slick in several spots with a thin bit of ice. There really wasn't much activity.
I sought shelter along Gumbo Limbo trail (wow, it felt good to get out of the wind) where I located a Black-throated Blue Warbler and an American Redstart. Like Carlos mentioned in is Matheson Hammock report, I was surprised to find a Worm-eating Warbler too.
I checked out the Gate 13/Hidden Lake area and found a Wild Turkey.
Next I bundled up and headed past Gate 15 to the big mound. I scared up 18 Killdeer and a Wilson's Snipe from the rocks on top. Scanning the wetland I was pleased to see a Snail Kite, Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Roseate Spoonbill, 3 Glossy Ibis, and 7 Ring-necked Ducks.
At Castellow Hammock the hummingbird activity was fierce. I saw at least 8 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zipping and chattering around the Chinese Hat flowers. They were really relishing the sun after a long night of torpor.
At Cutler Wetlands on the way home I found both Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Black Skimmer, and a mess of gulls...including Laughing, Ring-billed, Herring, and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull. The only ducks I saw were Blue-winged Teal.
It wasn't a good day for photography, but it was fun to work on my year list. Stay warm!
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