The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in August 2011.Ideal months for aves observation are known to be March and October to see the greatest diversity of species and highest concentrations of birds.
Workmate Matt Ellison this week asked me the interesting question when birds begin their Fall migration south.
The immature Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in August 2011.We mutually agreed that it must be July while I'm not exactly sure with the birds in many cases traversing continents while others stay the winter in Florida.
Matt regularly tells me of his observations which are always fun to hear about as he describes them in such an animated way.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in August 2011.While this past month allowed early observation of migratory shorebird species inland when visiting the Everglades Agricultural Area, it has only been there where I've seen certain shorebirds in migration otherwise absent at the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
It was my intent to visit Bunche Beach Preserve again this week with hopes of observing something unexpected.
The Limpkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in August 2011.The birds will, as they do, continue to increase in numbers and diversity in the cooler months ahead.
The threat of stormy conditions at the beaches this week led instead to an early morning trip to Harns Marsh Preserve further inland when I had the chance.
The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011.I had made an 18 August 2011 visit to the preserve to get a feel for what was happening with the weir construction nearing completion.
At that time a pair of amicable Red-shouldered Hawks were observed together in a Cypress tree.
The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. While I was under the impression that water flowed out of the lake and marsh at this weir, the opposite appears to be the case.
The wildlife seen then was absent Snail Kite which was previously noted on the rise.
The Eurasian-collared Dove above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. The late summer months prove to be the least opportune for wildlife observation even considering the twenty-five or so species that I typically see year round.
The weather forecast is something I certainly rely less on preferring to look at the sky an hour or so before my departure for a wildlife venue.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011.This decision to visit Harns Marsh was a good one which allowed me to observe conditions at the Preserve for a few hours while thunder could be heard from the beaches.
As the storms continued to redeveloped with the rise of the sun, I pondered Harns Marsh as a must visit venue at any time of year.
The Purple Martin juvenile above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. A highlight was observation of four Snail Kite that worked the marsh for the Apple Snails that appear to be making a good recovery after the very parched conditions at the end of the dry season.
Another thrill was my first sighting of Purple Martin with its identification confirmed by Vince Lucas and Tom Obrock.
The Black Vulture above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. There were a pair of Belted Kingfisher that did their chase routine over the marsh as last observed at Ding Darling NWR where the species can be seen in greater numbers.
A third kingfisher was observed over the north lake.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. An abundance of Boat-tailed Grackles were seen flying over the marsh toward the east.
Omnipresent Mottled Duck were strafed by a Killdeer.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. There was a solitary Roseate Spoonbill seen that took flight as I approached the remnants of the bulldozer.
Herons, egrets and ibis made their way over the marsh through the early morning hours.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. Two Eurasian-collared Dove flew by me about fifteen minutes apart.
There were surprisingly few Limpkin seen while a Black-crowned Night-Heron was observed flying south over the marsh.
The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011. The were fortunately very few dragonflies observed that were considered a nuisance as dozens flew around me on my earlier visit to Harns Marsh.
I like to be close to the tree line about a half mile north of the parking area at Harns Marsh which especially allows for enjoyment of the birds that can be heard if not seen.
The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011.There was a call that I didn't recognize on this most recent visit.
Rain clouds rolled in from the south before 10am obscuring the sun as thunder was then heard less than a mile away which cut my September visit short.
The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2011.Sandhill Crane were heard just before leaving the Preserve.
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