Harns Marsh Preserve Hierarchical Order

A pre-sunrise arrival at Harns Marsh Preserve on 17 October offered a fog hanging over the marsh from one corner to the other.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

This was due to some downright refreshing weather which was about 15 degrees cooler than the previous average summer morning. A few Common Gallinule were active in the area north of the parking area.

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

A Great Egret was particularly active close to shore, but the sun had yet to rise causing a challenge to get a decent photograph. There were several Limpkin that were inadvertently flushed as I continued further as well.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Out of a very many visits to Harns Marsh Preserve, this would become one of my favorites with observations that would follow. A rapid succession of species in a very close proximity was unexpected.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

As the sun first broke through the trees on the horizon, without clouds to diffuse the light, it was brilliantly cast on four Sandhill Crane that were actively feeding and answering the calls from their kind across the marsh.

The Bald Eagle above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Within seconds of the cranes flying a short distance to the west, a gorgeous female Snail Kite came into view carrying an Apple Snail from the south. The kite was being chased by a Common Grackle.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Miraculously the Snail Kite flew into some sunlight and landed on the branch of a small cypress tree as I was panning the movement of the bird at shutter speeds of 1/640. The ISO was set at 800 at the time.

The Limpkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

That event would be among my very favorites of wildlife observation (with the resulting salvageable imagery). While no closer than 50 feet from the kite, I attempted to get a few feet closer, and the bird took flight.

The Boat-tailed Grackle above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Within a couple of minutes a Bald Eagle flew low over me from the west. I was quite surprised that none of the birds (primarily Boat-tailed Grackle) perched, and on the ground in front of me even twitched.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Mere seconds later (as if on cue to stun and amaze me further) all the birds before me inexplicably took flight. I thought quickly, "what could be the cause?" As I scanned the sky in every direction I found the answer.

The Common Gallinule above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Crested Caracara had flown directly over me at this near exact point four years earlier. Crested Caracara seem to have taken a stronghold at Harns Marsh Preserve at least periodically.

The Limpkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The first caracara observed this day was immediately noted as very closely followed by another from the south. The birds dropped lower to the ground quickly and made some aerobatic maneuvers that were as impressive or better than any I have observed before.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

So, I can't help but speculate about the hierarchical order of the top predator at Harns Marsh Preserve. Which species are most feared by their predator? Which species is most successful over its prey?

The Sandhill Crane above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

It was an especially enjoyable visit to Harns as I met Tom Wymelenberg for the first time. Tom is the wildlife observer whom brought Church Road to my attention. We were fortunate to observe the caracara further.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Cattle Egret above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The caracara which are not always to be expected at Harns Marsh Preserve lingered on the ground on this visit. The birds appeared to be feeding in the grass with Tom noting that the prey were insects.

The Crested Caracara above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The Glossy Ibis above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

The caracara also made flight into a lone palm where it was considered that there might be nesting activity. That was ruled out on this particular observation. While observing the caracara, an American Kestrel made an appearance.

The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.

Based on observation made previously, it is expected that there will be continued fun times at Harns going forward.

The Common Green Darner dragonfly above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in October 2014.