Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail

Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve is located in Milford, Connecticut only minutes from I-95 and dozens of other highly valued birding venues.

The American Wigeon above (image 1) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

The Pied-billed Grebe above (image 2) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

The Mallard above (image 3) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

Images presented in this blog article were capture on a pair of visits made to the trail, one in late October and one in late November. While the preserve constitutes nearly 36 acres, I would make my observations from one primary point overlooking the main pond behind the elementary school.

The Mallard above (image 4) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

The American Wigeon above (image 5) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

The American Wigeon above (image 6) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

Once taking a gander at the waterfowl that seems omnipresent on the water's surface, it pays to be looking skyward for bird activity flying overhead. eBird data indicates 181 species at this serene venue as of this writing.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 7) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

The American Wigeon above (image 8) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

The Red-tailed Hawk above (image 9) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in October 2017.

A future visit will certainly allow for a more thorough exploration of the property. The trail appears to primarily offer views of the main pond, although the four other primary ponds appear to be accessible.

The Hooded Merganser above (image 10) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in November 2017.

The Gadwall with American Wigeon above (image 11) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in November 2017.

Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve should definitely be on your itinerary when traveling through the area.

The Mallard with American Coot above (image 12) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in November 2017.

The American Wigeon above (image 13) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in November 2017.

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The Hooded Merganser above (image 14) was photographed at Mondo Ponds Nature Preserve Trail in November 2017.

Farewell Harns Marsh Preserve And SW Florida

My likely last visit to Harns Marsh Preserve in Lehigh Acres, Florida, occurred in late October when I met up with Canadian wildlife photographer Frank Constantin.

The primarily Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The weather was favorable with the grass well groomed and 39 species of bird observed in the ensuing two hours after sunrise during our stay. A good number of Purple Gallinule were present among a Gray-headed Swamphen continuing this day with a snipe an unexpected bonus.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The immature Black-crowned Night-Heron above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

After a number of failed observations of Snail Kite at Harns, a male and female were observed in and over the marsh. A possible third individual of the species was seen perched while closely reviewing an image of a flock of grackles in flight.

The juvenile Purple Gallinule above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Gray-headed Swamphen above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Snail Kite above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The time at this extraordinary wildlife venue in southwest Florida passed much too quickly with a regrettable need to ready my departure from paradise. It was, however, especially good to see some of the venue's signature species.

The American Coot above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Anhinga above (image 18) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Boat-tailed Grackle above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Turkey Vulture above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The juvenile Snowy Egret above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Little Blue Heron above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Great Blue Heron above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Limpkin above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

Though under the weather at the moment, stay tuned for new adventures in Connecticut along the northern shores of Long Island Sound and beyond.

The Anhinga with prey above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Purple Gallinule above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

The Wilson's Snipe above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

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The Double-crested Cormorant above (image 28) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2016.

No Thanksgiving Turkey At Harns

The Thanksgiving holiday has become a tradition of sorts to soak in the wildlife of southwest Florida.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 1) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

This year was no different. A sunrise arrival was made at Harns Marsh Preserve.

The Wood Stork above (image 2) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The immature Little Blue Heron above (image 3) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Limpkin above (image 4) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 5) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Snail Kite above (image 6) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

More waterfowl are being seen this year than last at Harns as the water level of the water reclamation area is apparently favored.

The Roseate Spoonbill above (image 7) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The American Coot above (image 8) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 9) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 10) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Killdeer above (image 11) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

There were no surprises with views of species that should be expected at this time of year.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 12) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 13) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 14) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The American Coot above (image 15) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Ring-necked Duck above (image 16) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Northern Harrier and Snail Kite were typically distant with a Bald Eagle on the scene as well.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 17) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 18) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 19) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 20) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 21) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

It was a treat to meet up with Tom Wymelenberg. Ron Bishop was also seen at Harns this day. Tom Obrock has advised that Ron may permanently be leaving the area.

The Sandhill Crane above (image 22) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The White Ibis above (image 23) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Palm Warbler above (image 24) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Tree Swallow above (image 25) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Anhinga above (image 26) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

There was a small chance that wild turkeys would be seen as they have been before at Harns.

The Bald Eagle above (image 27) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Northern Harrier above (image 28) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Black Vulture above (image 29) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Tree Swallow above (image 30) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

The Mottled Duck above (image 31) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

With the absence of the turkeys from view this day, they evidently had appointments that they had to keep.

The Black Vulture above (image 32) was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2014.

Meeting with bud Frank Constantin the day of this writing, he showed a stunning pic of the cranes at Harns Marsh from his trip on 11 December.