Tom Obrock above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.With an opportunity to travel, it was my great fortune to have Tom Obrock along for the ride. In planning an itinerary, my primary points of interest included Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge and other venues further north and west highlighted in the Panhandle section of the Great Florida Birding Trail. I was intrigued that Fort Myers birding master Vince McGrath noted Saint Marks NWR as one of his favorite venues to observe wildlife in the state.
The American Goldfinch above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.
The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.
The Yellow-rumped Warbler above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.
The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.
The Chipping Sparrow above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.
The Chipping Sparrow above was photographed at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail in February 2013.
The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.Although this time of year is considered the dry season in Florida, Tom and I would be dodging inclement weather which involved a brief rain at one point. Our first stop was a sunrise arrival at Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, formerly part of the Seaboard Coast Railroad. I was immediately reminded of the value in being able to identify bird species by ear here which I am want to do. Tom put me on to Chipping Sparrow which was my first observation of the species during our relatively brief views along a short section of this sixteen mile long trail.
The House Wren above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White-crowned Sparrow above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White-crowned Sparrow above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White-crowned Sparrow with 1st winter juvenile above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White-crowned Sparrow with 1st winter juvenile above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White-crowned Sparrow 1st winter juvenile above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White-crowned Sparrow above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.After observing the very birdy activity, though not offering great photo opportunities as four inch long birds at greater distances are want to do, we continued on to nearby Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. At Paynes Prairie, Tom and I began a trek on the La Chua Trail which affords great wildlife opportunities along its three mile round trip length. The website for this state park notes that lower than normal water levels have negatively impacted the sighting of American bison which certainly would be exciting to see in the wild.
The Anhinga above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Pied-billed Grebe above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The scene above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Double-crested Cormorant above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.I recall a wooden nickel token with a bison pictured on it. The Wikipedia website notes bison near least concern in conservation status, although the species' presence in Florida with large numbers might be questioned by what is written at Wikipedia as of this writing. Florida has currently had a seven year absence of significant hurricane activity which otherwise offers regeneration of wetland habitat and replenishment of the Floridan aquifer. A much rarer target species in the Groove-billed Ani at Paynes Prairie remained elusive although was reportedly observed a half hour before our arrival.
The alligator above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Sora above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The American Kestrel above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The alligator above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Wilson's Snipe above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.While La Chua Trail offered wildlife observation opportunities along its entire length, I was particularly entertained by the action at Alachua Sink near the beginning of the trail. It was here that I observed the striking White-crowned Sparrow for the first time. Both a mature bird and 1st winter bird of the same species I considered quite extraordinary to observe as they perched closely together on the same bush. The observation tower was well worth the walk to as well with countless waterfowl and waders disturbed seemingly in unison by overflight of a Bald Eagle.
The Eastern Phoebe above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Swamp Sparrow above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Northern Harrier above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White Ibis above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.A number of bird species that Tom had observed at Paynes Prairie in prior years were missed. Some who visit might want to count the alligators seen along the La Chua Trail's length. It is never an opportune time to leave such a rewarding venue, but we were still distant from our next stop. Before arrival at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge which appeared could take a near infinite time to explore thoroughly, we made a stop at the 4800 acre Bald Point State Park where the weather was at its worst on the first day.
The American Coot above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Mallard with Mottled Duck above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The White Ibis with Snowy Egret above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Glossy Ibis with White Ibis and Snowy Egret above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.Foggy, windy, and rainy conditions dulled observations of the wildlife from greater and even shorter distances. Tom pointed out Bonaparte's Gull making a flyby (another lifer for me) which I captured unsuccessfully. There was a lot of bird activity at Bald Point State Park, though just not a good opportunity to document it visually. This Park is an excellent venue for observations in woodland, marsh, and coastal habitat.
The Blue-winged Teal above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The turtle above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The alligator above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The American Bittern above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The wildlife observers above were photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The American Bittern above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.What's that? You're not familiar with the Great Florida Birding Trail? Get your fill and reward of its extremely resourceful website here.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park La Chua Trail in February 2013.
The Willet above was photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.
The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.
The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.
The Horned Grebe above was photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.
The Bonaparte's Gull above was photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.I'm compelled to note that I don't like the last image. The tallest bird in the frame should have been the one in focus. For those of you impacted by Daylight Savings Time, don't forget to advance the time by one hour on your camera and other devices at the end of 9 March 2013.
The shorebirds above were photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.
The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Bald Point State Park in February 2013.Please see: The Great Florida Birding Trail Early 2013 Article II
Please see: The Great Florida Birding Trail Early 2013 Article III
Some of these photos are fabulous. I love the Northern Harrier, American Bittern and Horned Grebe pics, well I love far too many to mention. Keep up the good work. I look fwd to your posts.
ReplyDeleteDeee-licious!! I'm heading down that way in a couple of weeks and I'm psyched!
ReplyDeleteI've discovered your blog recently, as I'm spending my first winter in Florida and been watching birds here since few months, and I'm absolutely in awed just by viewing your pictures! I can't wait for next friday! ;¬)
ReplyDeleteBob -- great collection of species and superb photographs as usual!
ReplyDeleteBelle série et d'une grande variété !
ReplyDelete