Two boardwalks that cut through "old Florida" habitat types are in relative close proximity to one another in southwest Florida, and should not be overlooked during bird migration and when in the area.
The Gray-cheeked Thrush above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
Visits to these boardwalks were made with the company of
Tom Obrock. The first trip was a stop at
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers on the morning of 26 September. It is here that one can travel along the 1.2 mile long boardwalk through pine flatwoods, a hardwood transition, flag ponds, hammock, and cypress slough.
The Red-eyed Vireo above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The dragonfly above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Blue Jay above was photographed at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in September 2013.
The Northern Cardinal above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
Tom had excellent radar on where the birds would appear. Though he had to leave to take care of some pressing matters, I stayed to wait for whatever wildlife might appear. Still in the midst of the rainy season, it would seem improbable that I wouldn't get drenched by passing clouds from the Gulf of Mexico laden with moisture.
The Gray Catbird above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The dragonfly above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Alligator Flag above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Carolina Wren above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The advantage here was that the birds didn't seem to mind the rain and were active. On the morning of 29 September, Tom and I made a long overdue trip to
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary outside of Naples. The boardwalk here is considered the "Crown Jewel" of the
National Audubon Society.
The Viceroy butterfly above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Spotted Orbweaver above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Swamp Hibiscus above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The American Redstart above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
Habitat types to be experienced here along the nearly two mile long Audubon boardwalk are pine flatwoods, wet prairie, pond and bald cypress, and marsh. I couldn't resist walking ahead to my favorite sunrise observation point, and thus missed Tom's observation of Acadian Flycatcher which would have been my first sighting of the species.
The Tufted Titmouse above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The 1st Winter Magnolia Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Swainson's Thrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The weather was fortunately more accommodating on this day with no need to take cover under a rain shelter which are numerous at both boardwalk venues. First personal observations of the Gray-cheeked Thrush at Six Mile Cypress and Northern Waterthrush at Corkscrew Swamp were unexpected thrills for me.
The Swainson's Thrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
While these wildlife venues are perhaps most interestingly visited, from my perspective, during migratory months in Spring and Fall, they each offer a rich diversity of wildlife that appears at all times of the year. I was intrigued to read at the Six Mile Cypress Slough website that Wood Duck visiting the venue in the winter months feeds on acorns.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The dry down of water into the months of Winter and Spring offers an increased probability of observing the always entertaining wading birds that feast on concentrated food sources. Be especially on the lookout for the very well camouflaged creatures including frogs, spiders, snakes, and insects.
The Louisiana Waterthrush above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Northern Parula above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Black-and-white Warbler above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Common Yellowthroat above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
The Ruddy Daggerwing with mosquito above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
I don't believe I have ever captured an image of a butterfly when upon close inspection of the image a much smaller creature was absent.
The Yellow Rat Snake above was photographed at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in September 2013.
