The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.My serious observations of wildlife in Florida merely began in 2007. There are only a handful of occasions out of a few hundred dedicated to observing wildlife where I have been disappointed with the endeavor. This week was not one of those times. Florida should be expected to offer great opportunity for wildlife observation due in part to its climate, water resources, and proximity to migration routes. So what might explain the decline in birds seen by veteran birders? If you have an opinion about this, I would very much like to know what it is. At Ding Darling this week, I thought an accommodating tide would favor countless birds to observe at the Refuge. Shorebirds were abundant, but wading birds were otherwise surprisingly few in numbers. Species observed though not photographed were Mourning Dove, Ground Dove, Osprey, and Mr. Cardinal. I otherwise present here a representation of what was seen as a solitary bird or a species seen exceeding a hundred individuals. I chose to skip the Shell Mound Trail as it was about noon when I passed it. A highlight of the day included the remarkable experience to observe a blast off of shorebirds that I'm sure was caused by a wayward call of a Willet. The Refuge volunteer behind me commented that she looked for an eagle that would have likely caused the event, though the predator wasn't seen. It was equally as rewarding to hear the birds fly onto the scene in large flocks. This must be experienced if you haven't had the pleasure. Wildlife observers in Florida can often see birds appear quite tame. I typically like to keep the greatest distance from them possible when photographing them. A few birds seen this week at Ding were occasionally too close to focus on. I must remember to bring my 2X converter to Ding which I have used on a couple of occasions at STA5 and Harns Marsh Preserve. Nikon has recently announced its 36.3 megapixel D800 camera which would allow for greater distances kept from the wildlife while allowing for a hefty crop of images captured. Canon has apparently decided not to participate in the megapixel war, for now. Another highlight of my trip to DDNWR this week was to observe a pair of Yellow-crowned Night-Heron that I spent a half hour with. The herons exhibited nesting behavior within 15 feet of the drive not surprisingly uncaring of all the visitors to the Refuge that passed. My experience this week was quite different from that made at the Refuge a year ago almost to the day. Press here for my report of Too Many Birds At Ding Darling NWR. In closing, I highly recommend you consider participating in the March 28-31, 2012 Big "O" Birding Festival. A hundred species of bird or more will likely be seen on a given day. Spotting scopes and binoculars have been noted to be popularly used at STA5 during the infrequent tours allowed at this South Central Florida birding mecca.
The Great Egret above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012. Note the importance of sharpening an image when comparing this and the unsharpened image below.
The Roseate Spoonbill above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The American White Pelican above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Pied-billed Grebe above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Snowy Egret with Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis and Willet above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The American White Pelican above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The primarily Dunlin above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher with Dunlin and Willet above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Dunlin above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Dunlin above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The American White Pelican above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Willet above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Little Blue Heron with Shot-billed Dowitcher and Dunlin above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The American White Pelican above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Reddish Egret above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Red-breasted Merganser above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at J. N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in March 2012.
Thanks again for the spectacular pics.
ReplyDeleteI have not been down to Ding but have heard from other birders in the past year how there are less birds there. I think you proved them wrong. You have a huge variety of pictures. I feel that way about Fort Desoto though. In the past 3 years it seems like there are less shorebirds hanging around.
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