[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Marcello Gomes on 22:53:50 12/07/13
Today I drove, drove, and drove some more around the Belle Glades in search of something a little more unusual (break from the Ocean scene). No, I did not go through any pelagic withdrawals. It was supposed to be sunny according to what it said on my "smart" phone but it was mostly cloudy. The sun came out around 3:30. I had some issues with my camera focusing properly by I managed a couple of shots.
I will spare the most common birds that anyone would expect for sure to see there.
It was good for raptors:
I counted 5 Bald Eagles (1 at a Sod farm on Hatton Rd., 2 on C.R 700 near Canal Point, 2 others along Lake O')
2 Cooper's (one adult and one immature)
2 female Northern Harriers
3 Caracaras
A few Ospreys
Tons of American Kestrels (evenly spaced on wires)
4 Red-shouldered Hawks
With all that sugarcane being burned the Hawks must have had lots of preys to feast on.
1 Hooded Merganser (immature male) all alone on a canal off C.R700
At the end of the trip I decided to stop at STA 1-West but It was hunting season and the place was closed.
As Toe has lamented in previous postings....very limited amounts of Winter birds so far this season. I was slightly disappointed but I took my chances. The sight of one of the most iconic symbols of the U.S was there (Bald Eagle) and saved the day!
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]