Posted by Paul on March 11, 2002 at 06:39:20:
First hatchlings of Great blue appeared at Wakodahatchee. Still too weak to rise up but mom and baby (babies?) look well despite hordes of fish ravens in the area and one northern harrier. Green-back thrilled several photographers and were building a nest about 20 inches from the boardwalk in full view. Limpkin heard but not seen. Blue wing teal mating, mated, nesting in all areas. Nesting anhingas in several smal trees. Cypress have a very unusual golden brown color..mineral deficiency? Catch the anhinga on them and it looks great in the viewfinder..better on the picture. Sora very plentiful and coots, moorhens, and purple gallinules are simply "no-brainers". Purple martin are nesting and squabbling, probably the reverse now that I think of it. What a sight to see them emerge to drive away the fish ravens...likes angry bees. Common egret puts on a small show but loses out to the other more active participants. Loggerhead shrike is nesting..nest is tough to see but the birds are particularly visible at low level. Still no spotting of bittern but many reported they are there. Yellow-rumped warblers very active and wood storks are also present but a tad more secret. Several banded water snakes made an appearance. The weather was great, the joggers not so great as they get more nasty as more audubon members and photographers are crowding the boardwalk. A great way to spend an early morning, or better, take the liesure of the setting sun.