On the road at 3:00am is not the typical departure time for most people I know when they are making a road trip for any reason.
The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
Tom Obrock and I were on I-75 south by 0330 headed toward Miami with plans to reach Key Largo by sunrise to soak up Florida's relatively tame wildlife. This would be one of a few stops before our westernmost destination of the Dry Tortugas.
The Argiope spider above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
The Gray Kingbird above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
We were at Card Sound Road and 905 on schedule although the previously reported Neotropic Cormorant was not found. I was however particularly entertained by a Common Nighthawk that was found here.
The Red-winged Blackbird above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
The Common Nighthawk above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
Tom and I then made our way to
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park with hopes of sighting a Mangrove Cuckoo. This specialty was unfortunately missed although a Yellow-billed Cuckoo was heard.
The Least Tern above was photographed at Card Sound Road in June 2014.
The invasive Bark Anole above was photographed at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park in June 2014.
The White-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Park in June 2014.
Prior to our brief visit to
Curry Hammock State Park, we made a brief stop in an appealing neighborhood which had flight activity. It was here that I had my first reminder of the invasive Green Iguanas.
The Green Iguana above was photographed at the Florida Keys in June 2014.
The Green Iguana above was photographed at the Florida Keys in June 2014.
The Green Iguana above was photographed at Curry Hammock State Park in June 2014.
Hawks are known to eat the iguanas, but the numbers of the land dwellers have the upper hand in their survival as their numbers appeared much higher to me this year.
The Green Iguana above was photographed at Curry Hammock State Park in June 2014.
Again traveling west on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway, our next target species was Roseate Tern hopefully to be found at Marathon Government Center . . .
The Green Iguana above was photographed at Curry Hammock State Park in June 2014.
Please also see:
Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part II
Please also see:
Miami And Florida Keys June Wildlife Tour Part III
Remarkable shots of the Nighthawk; looking forward to further installments documenting your trip!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very accommodating nighthawk, Hemant. It was nice to have a decent light angle shortly after sunrise. I'm very excited to review and process images taken later in the trip!
DeleteGreat shots I Especially the Common Nighthawk a and the Green Iguana's.
ReplyDeleteThe iguanas seemed to be everywhere, Maria. Most were skittish, and I wonder if they will get accustomed to people over time.
DeleteThis was a lovely blog poost
ReplyDelete