Birds of the Everglades [April 2-6, 2016]

Wood Storks

The official bird of the Everglades is the mosquito – that is meant as a joke – but these enormous, blood thirsty, flying devils are everywhere.  We heard that the “summer” season here is marked by an increase in the presence of these and other insects.  Our visit was timed at the cusp between winter and summer.  I would hate to see how many of these guys are here in July.

Another insect that we saw a great deal of were butterflies.  Millions of small white butterflies that danced along the edges of paths that we walked, and roads we rode our bicycles along.  Decorative orange and black butterflies punctuated the creamy white butterflies with dots of color.  We also saw dark gold dragonflies with fragile wings. 

There are birds in abundance here.  In a dead tree at the entrance to our campground is a nest with two osprey.  A group of Cattle Egrets play around the entrance keeping the Park Ranger company.  A flock of vultures sat on the roof ridge of the bath house hoping for a someone to leave some garbage out for them.  In fact, vultures are in every parking lot.  They were constantly harassed by crows.  On a walk down by Florida Bay we came upon an immature Night Heron hiding from the sun (and us) inside a shady tree.  Swallow-tail Kites swooped and dove overhead.

2 Osprey in a Nest

Cattle Egret

Vultures, vultures everywhere

Swallow-tail Kite

A nearby pond has a Giant Egret rookerie.  As we hiked around the pond, we happened upon some Little Blue Heron preening.  Then we watched a Tri-Color Heron (formerly known as the Louisiana Heron) fishing.  So much fun!

Egret Rookerie

Tri-Colored Heron

Tri-Colored Heron hunting

At a visit to the marina by the Flamingo Visitors Center, we saw a Great White Heron.  It is actually a white version of the Great Blue Heron that we see at home, that is only found in South Florida.  You can tell it from a Great Egret by the yellow legs (the Great Egret's legs are black).

Great White Heron

Great Egret - note the dark legs

On our kayak we saw Osprey, Egrets, and Great Blue and Great White Heron, and Little Blue Heron.  We also saw an impressive Bald Eagle.

Great White Herons

Taking flight

Great Blue Heron

The best birding though was at Paurotis Pond which is closed to humans to protect nesting Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills.  There is a small area where you can stand and watch the other side of the pond and the glorious, large birds glide above it.  The Wood Storks have built huge nests of sticks on the top of the trees.  The Spoonbill nests are hidden.  The pond is alive with the croaks and gobbles of the birds living there.  Dana had always wanted to see both birds in the wild, so it was a very exciting time.  It was rainy while we were there, so the photos are a little grainy.

Roseate Spoonbill from over 1/2 mile away in the rain.  Wish it was clearer, but here it is...