Beginning B irders Score Eagle Action

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Posted by Jeff Weber on 19:18:13 12/12/04

I took a small but enthusiastic group of beginning birders through Everglades Nat. Park yesterday, and all were treated to some pretty spectacular antics by a pair of Bald Eagles. One eagle, an immature, crashed a party of TVs eating a dead Black Racer on the park road near Mahogany Hammock, scattering them like so many red-headed, lice-ridden bowling pins. The eagle stood around a while looking regal while we got good scope views, and then it took off to join an adult eagle gliding overhead. Airborne, the two performed some synchronized aerobatic maneuvers, culminating in a brief locking of talons while they free-fell toward the sawgrass.

Down in Flamingo, at the Marina, we were treated to a visit by "Gumby," an ancient toothless crocodile, who cruised over to the marine gas pumps to enjoy a freshwater shower from a garden hose hanging off the dock. While I was taking pictures, a Laughing Gull made off with half my sandwich, of course.

Other good sightings were a Yellow-Throated Vireo at Anhinga Trail and a Western Kingbird just outside the missle site at the end of Research Road. The Vermilion Flycatcher occupied his usual post at the Greenway trailhead outside the park.

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Comments:	: I took a small but enthusiastic group of beginning birders through Everglades Nat. Park yesterday, and all were treated to some pretty spectacular antics by a pair of Bald Eagles. One eagle, an immature, crashed a party of TVs eating a dead Black Racer on the park road near Mahogany Hammock, scattering them like so many red-headed, lice-ridden bowling pins. The eagle stood around a while looking regal while we got good scope views, and then it took off to join an adult eagle gliding overhead. Airborne, the two performed some synchronized aerobatic maneuvers, culminating in a brief locking of talons while they free-fell toward the sawgrass. : : Down in Flamingo, at the Marina, we were treated to a visit by "Gumby," an ancient toothless crocodile, who cruised over to the marine gas pumps to enjoy a freshwater shower from a garden hose hanging off the dock. While I was taking pictures, a Laughing Gull made off with half my sandwich, of course. : : Other good sightings were a Yellow-Throated Vireo at Anhinga Trail and a Western Kingbird just outside the missle site at the end of Research Road. The Vermilion Flycatcher occupied his usual post at the Greenway trailhead outside the park. :
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