TAS Trip to ENP on Sat., Feb. 19

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Posted by Jeff Weber on 18:40:41 02/21/05

Sorry not to have posted sooner, but I´m down in Old Mexico and had some trouble reading the web instructions in Spanish (finally did it, though).

I led a walk in Everglades Nat. Park with seven enthusiastic birders on Sat., Feb. 19, and we were able to score some decent birds, while enjoying fantastic photo opportunities. Check out the excellent photos Trey Mitchell posted on Feb. 19 to see how photogenic all the critters were at Royal Palm. Here are a few highlights of the trip: a kiting White-tailed Kite on Research Road, just before the second left bend that goes to the missile site; immature Bald Eagle and Vermilion Flycatcher (drab female) at Paurotis Pond; dark-phase Short-tailed Hawk at Eco Pond; White-crowned Pigeons at both Nine-mile Pond and Lucky Hammock Annex; our very reliable frend, the male Vermilion Flycatcher, at the Greenway; white-phase Great Blue Heron at Royal Palm; and nesting Pilated Woodpeckers in a phone pole at LH Annex (good photo op here for anyone who wants it). There were several crocodiles (including 'ol toothless "Gumby" and a monster mossback with a fine set of choppers) around Flamingo Marina. As dusk approached, some of the group packed it in, but four of us decided to try for Lesser Nighthawks. Watching the sunset from Lucky Hammock, we saw five Lessers before the sun actually set (at about 6:15 p.m.), which quickly pealed off to the south and out of sight. When no more appeared, we raced over to Research Road and found two more wheeling over the last of the pines, not too far from the research buildings (these, too, stayed in sight for only about 5 seconds, but it was pretty black by then). That marked the end of a successful day of nearly 12 hours birding. Note to Paul, of Paul & Juana: you left your jacket in my car; send me a street address and I´ll mail it back to you. Thanks to all the participants for making it a great day. Pat, I hope you got your manatees in the Gables on Sun. morning.

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Comments:	: Sorry not to have posted sooner, but I´m down in Old Mexico and had some trouble reading the web instructions in Spanish (finally did it, though). : : I led a walk in Everglades Nat. Park with seven enthusiastic birders on Sat., Feb. 19, and we were able to score some decent birds, while enjoying fantastic photo opportunities. Check out the excellent photos Trey Mitchell posted on Feb. 19 to see how photogenic all the critters were at Royal Palm. Here are a few highlights of the trip: a kiting White-tailed Kite on Research Road, just before the second left bend that goes to the missile site; immature Bald Eagle and Vermilion Flycatcher (drab female) at Paurotis Pond; dark-phase Short-tailed Hawk at Eco Pond; White-crowned Pigeons at both Nine-mile Pond and Lucky Hammock Annex; our very reliable frend, the male Vermilion Flycatcher, at the Greenway; white-phase Great Blue Heron at Royal Palm; and nesting Pilated Woodpeckers in a phone pole at LH Annex (good photo op here for anyone who wants it). There were several crocodiles (including 'ol toothless "Gumby" and a monster mossback with a fine set of choppers) around Flamingo Marina. As dusk approached, some of the group packed it in, but four of us decided to try for Lesser Nighthawks. Watching the sunset from Lucky Hammock, we saw five Lessers before the sun actually set (at about 6:15 p.m.), which quickly pealed off to the south and out of sight. When no more appeared, we raced over to Research Road and found two more wheeling over the last of the pines, not too far from the research buildings (these, too, stayed in sight for only about 5 seconds, but it was pretty black by then). That marked the end of a successful day of nearly 12 hours birding. Note to Paul, of Paul & Juana: you left your jacket in my car; send me a street address and I´ll mail it back to you. Thanks to all the participants for making it a great day. Pat, I hope you got your manatees in the Gables on Sun. morning.
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