[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Drew Fulton on 09:57:21 06/04/05
In Reply to: Snake Bight trail posted by Mark
Well, I may be a little late to reply here but since I live in Flamingo I thought I would throw in my info. From what I know, the Flamingos are easiest to find during the winter months as during the Summer they return to their breeding grounds (I think I read that somewhere). Regardless, I have not heard anyone report seeing the birds for several months. I saw them several times throughout the winter. Once from the platform at Snake Bight and twice from a canoe. When I saw them from my canoe they were in a portion of the Bight that would not have been visible to the platform.
The image that Trey posted shows Snake Bight at very very low tide. In this portion of Florida Bay the tides are heavily influenced by the wind. If you want the water to be up, look for a wind out of the South. On the other hand, a wind out of the North means very little water at the Bight. I have been there at "high tide" and had it look like Trey's picture. Tides help but wind is the key. Regardless, everyone I have talked to who saw the Flamingos this year described them as very difficult to see even with a scope. The first time I saw them it took some patience as they were on the horizon.
A canoe can be very helpful for a couple reasons. First, you can avoid a lot of the mosquitos by leaving the mangroves behind. Secondly you can get close to a lot of the birds. I haven't been out there in a couple months but I have found and photographed White Pelicans (several hundred), thousands and thousands of shorebirds, skimmers, terns, etc. If you do take a canoe you can rent one from the marina but that won't get you out there at sunrise or sunset, or you can simply bring your own and launch it from the marina. If the tide is out you will have to stick to the channel which is pretty far out and wind can be a factor. If the tide is in, then you can go up close to the mangroves. If the tide is up and wind is right, the water is usually a foot deep or so. If you decide you want to get out of the canoe, like to set up a tripod for scope or camera, be aware that you will sink at least a foot sometimes three feet into the mud. I have been standing waist deep in teh water when it was only a foot deep (and I am over 6' tall).
Below are a few links to images on my pages that were taken out in that area. (I hope the post right). IF these don't work check out my weblogs for 2/9, 2/10, 2/14. All the images on the American White Pelican, Black Skimmer, and Flamingo pages in the photos section were taken out there too.
If there is anything else I can do to help please let me know.
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]