The anticipation of seeing some very interesting wildlife at the Everglades Agricultural Area near Lake Okeechobee was met at sunrise on my annual late summer pilgrimage to the EAA.
The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The highlight of this trip for me was observation of a species of bird called King Rail seen for the first time, or a lifer.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
As has been the case with all species of rails I've observed thus far in Florida, good views of them counter their reported secretive behavior.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The King Rail above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Barn Swallow above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Tricolored Heron above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The rails sometimes offered difficult views considering their location and behavior while King Rail observation this year was unexpected and a boon for 2013.
The Least Bittern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Least Bittern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Barn Swallow above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
A recently reported Black Rail in Florida, the smallest rail, and the bird's call unexpectedly made at night, makes observation of this species for me unexpected.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
Tom Obrock was welcome and joined me for some great birding with his report of this 9 August 2013 trip that can be seen as well
at his blog.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
Tom has made this trip many more times than I have, and was very helpful in advising rewarding stops along the way.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were among the first birds observed, but were insistent in not having their photographs taken in a great environment for them.
The Black Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Wood Stork above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
Driving through the area for my third year of study at specific times close to this time of year, I found certain places nearly unfamiliar.
The Black Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The European Starling above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
As this is an agricultural area, it was observed that good rotational practices are taking place.
The Belted Kingfisher above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Pectoral Sandpiper above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Pectoral Sandpiper above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Lesser Yellowlegs above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Florida White Butterfly above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
Sugarcane and grass, aptly sod, are the most abundant crops in the area which attract different species.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Least Sandpiper above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
It was a thrill to observe everything, often at a distance not best for photography, with some images presented here cropped heavily.
The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-necked Stilt with Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Green Heron above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
If you're visiting Florida at this time of year, or are here year round with an inclination to travel, the Everglades Agricultural Area is a must visit place.
The Black Tern above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
On the way back to the Gulf Coast, Tom and I stopped along the highway for a posing Crested Caracara before arriving at Dinner Island Ranch for a quick drive through.
The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Barn Swallow above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The juvenile Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The
Farm Bill remains an ongoing unmitigated disaster and greasy wheel.
The juvenile Eastern Kingbird above was photographed at Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Crested Caracara above was photographed near Everglades Agricultural Area in August 2013.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Dinner Island Ranch in August 2013.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Dinner Island Ranch in August 2013.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Dinner Island Ranch in August 2013.
Additional information about the Everglades Agricultural Area from my previous visits may be found
pressing here.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Dinner Island Ranch in August 2013.
The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Dinner Island Ranch in August 2013.
