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Posted by Chris Nevins on 06:08:52 03/07/05
In Reply to: Walking the Wakodahatchee posted by Paul-the-other
: Your description of Wakodahatchee is perfect! Just wanted to add a note that Ruth Slayter spotted and I agree a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the oaks along the far dike for a few weeks in February, a "Solitary" Vireo in same trees, also a Prairie Warbler in the weeds of the far parking lot.
: Wakodahatchee, on a beautiful chilly Sunday morning was pure South Florida delight. The temperature was 49 degrees but the wind was still and the sunrise was glorious. Entering on the dawn open-gate policy we were greeted by Paul L. that digital demon and TAS page purveyor. Several other of the “regulars” that just can’t get enough pictures of the very active Great blue heron nests appeared before mid-morning. The chill in the air kept the power walkers and jogger numbers down drastically.
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: Purple Martins appeared in good numbers as we toured the site looking fore targets of opportunity. The first flight came in and squabbled and ejected several Grackles from the Purple Martin nesting houses. The air was filed with swirling and diving Tree Swallows as well as a fair number of Rough-winged Swallows. Interesting how they buzz you as you perambulate along the boardwalk. It is as if they flaunt their ability to bank and weave at close quarters and yet never crash into you or each other. They presented a formidable challenge to the auto-focus of the Nikon. One that was never conquered!
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: The most common warblers were Yellow-rumped. They were virtually everywhere. Common Yellow Throats were present but required hard searching. Green-winged-Teal were about in small numbers as were Blue-winged Teal. The GW Teal were into display, courting and chasing each other and flashing their beautiful green and rust red colors. Mottled Ducks set up a cacophony of quacking. The females were appropriately discreet. The males were appropriately aggressive.
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: No shame with the moorhens, coots, and Purple Gallinules however. They were doing what comes naturally and setting out the boundaries of the territories. The staff of Wakodahatchee has nice trimmed the vegetation so nest viewing and mating rituals are not only visible but there are numerous “layouts” for photographers looking for something other than endless sawgrass for backdrops. And speaking of layouts, the Limpkins standing on the boardwalk rail are now to be expected. What a treat!
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: A solitary Black-necked Stilt winged in at mid-morning. We judged it to be not a regular as it kept a very wide distance from the boardwalk. The regular BN Stilts have no fear and often feed within 10 feet of the boardwalk.
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: The baby Great Blues were wobbling their heads and mom and dad put on great take-off and landing displays. The baby Anhinga are much larger, very visible and trilling away as they are wont to do. One immature Little Blue was present, and Green-back herons were common. The sora were present but remained typically elusive (from a photographers viewpoint). No hawks were seen or heard on the morning stroll. A few Killdeer could be heard in the distance. A Great Egret, totally habituated, graced the entrance ramp and flaunted its nuptial plummage. They was no audience, save human, to impress.
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: Memory chips filled to capacity, film supplies exhausted we took our leave, as the sun reached mid-morning, and joined the throngs at the bagel shop. We knew we were making the right decision as Paul L was closing up shop also.
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: Walking Wakodahatchee is the next best thing to a swamp tromp. Well, almost.
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