Posted by Paul on January 20, 2004 at 07:41:42:
Heavy rain on sunday evening and a complete power loss for all of Flamingo did not dampen (well maybe a little) the enthusiasm of the MLK weekend trip to Flamingo and ENP. Highlights were deer around Royal Palm Hammock, many Common-yellothroats at Eco-pond, white eyed vireos in growing numbers. The Roseattes returned to Mrazek Pond and put on a flaming good show, flapping and fighting and circling. Painted buntings were all about at Eco-pond along with a rattlesnake so watch your step. White-morphs were present at Eco-pond and the same old guy is out moochng from bait buckets by the theatre screen. The fishermen still are keeping the pipers at bay, literally, the birds were all over on the mud flats but didn't seem drawn to the beach area...probably the noise, and all the fishing poles.
The bittern put on a full view show at Anhinga Trail as did the cormorants. Nests are well under way and babies already hatched for cormorants and anhingas.
A splendid display of Savannah sparrows entertained us at Eco-pond one morning. Only once. Group members concluded that it was serendipity. By the time some got up to Mrazek Pond the roseattes were gone, and others never did see the sparrows.
But every one who cared...saw the Vermilion as did people from New York, Ohio, etc. Everyday we stopped there people were busy photographing. Pity the poor loggerhead shrike and kestrel, no one wanted their pictures. And like clockwork the Vermilion was up, down, swing around, start again. What a show-boat!
But the best show of all was the osprey sitting on the nest riding back and forth as boats passed from fresh water to bay on the boat lift station. What's a mother to do when your home moves 50 feet back and forth 4 times an hour?
And white sulpher butterflies in numbers so great it makes the coffee plants literally shimmer with the flutering wings. They are particularly plentiful around the cabins.
Its all a good show, the Park. So if you aren't a local, and you have been thinking, don't! Just come on down and be part of it.