Morning In The Wetlands
I gave up wearing hiking boots. For one thing, my days of going on lengthy hikes over rough terrain are in my rear view mirror. Water-resistant linings and treatments for preventing water soaking through footwear can be somewhat helpful, but walking through Florida’s eternally wet grass is pretty much like wading a stream and your feet are just going to get wet. So I now have a pair of very comfortable shoes made for “trail runners” which let water in freely but dry quickly. To be clear, no running is involved, just the slow pace of an old guy with a heavy camera stopping every few steps.
So, there I was, with wet feet and wet everything else, exploring a local wetlands area at sunrise. No breeze, no clouds, plenty of hot sun and even more humidity. Yes, the Smart One was back at the house in the cool and dry comfort of an air-conditioned living room. She was preparing for a doctor’s appointment later in the day and I’m pretty sure I could hear her whining sighing wistfully as I drove away in the dark.
Itchepackesassa. It’s a small wetlands designed a half-dozen years ago to help control localized flooding of two creeks. I just like saying the name. During the planning phase for the wetlands, a couple of us local birding types provided a “before and after” census of avian visitors. We counted birds when the area was still a weedy field and again two years after the project was completed. Quite a difference. The field was converted into a series of ponds with varying depths and native aquatic plants were planted throughout. It’s been a great birding spot ever since.
Today there were overflights of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, White Ibises, Wood Storks, Sandhill Cranes, Black-crowned Night Herons and a couple of Roseate Spoonbills. An Eastern Screech Owl called from the adjacent woods. American Kestrels successfully nested here this spring. Soon the ponds will be winter homes for migrating water birds and the vegetation will provide protection for vacationing sparrows and wrens.
A relatively short morning provided some very nice sightings. We hope you agree.
Dew and sunrise highlight the beauty of Seven Sisters (Crinum americanum) blooming across the wetlands. Other common names include String Lily and Swamp Lily.
A Black-crowned Night Heron announces sunrise. Okay, she was more likely letting the neighborhood know I was lurking about.
Sexual dimorphism. As far as I know, it still applies to some members of the insect world. Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicicollis), to me, are attractive whether female or male.
The “Little Brown Jobs” of the butterfly world, grass skippers are large in number, small in size, frantic in flight and, for me, often a challenge to identify. This one remained long enough for a snapshot and is known as a Sachem (Atalopedes campestris).
One of the largest wading birds in North America, even a Great Egret can appear small in the relative vastness of the wetlands.
It’s a marsh. It’s a rabbit. It’s a Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)! Smaller than its Eastern Cottontail cousin, Marsh Rabbits inhabit brackish and fresh water wetland areas throughout Florida. Many people don’t know this little mammal is a strong swimmer. (Yes, that IS a mosquito on his nose.)
Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is, well, common in many areas which remain wet most of the year. Protruding pistils from the ball-shaped flowers give the impression of pin cushions.
A touch of royalty this morning was provided by the presence of an actual Queen (Danaus gilippus). In the same family as the Monarch (Danaus plexippus plexippus), the Queen is a bit smaller but similar in appearance.
Another very common plant in the marsh, the Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), apparently contains some tasty nectar. It’s frequented by all sorts of thirsty pollinators, such as this Bumblebee (Bombus spp.).
A Green Heron grazes among a dense growth of Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) hoping for a breakfast of fish, frog, crustacean, insect, eel or snake. Mmmmm.
That bright white face, sky-blue eyes, racing stripe thorax – it could only be that speedster of the swamp – the dashing Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)!
The Purple Gallinule is one of our more colorful members of the rail family. If you don’t see one, you will usually hear them chuckling at you from behind the cattails.
Matching the bright yellow of the sun’s early rays, several blooming Bandanna-of-the-Everglades (Canna flaccida) were scattered across the wetlands.
Even though it’s pretty common in a variety of habitats, Eastern Gama Grass (Tripsacum dactyloides) can look mighty decorative when in bloom.
There are four different color forms of the Rambur’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) species of damselfly. This is a blue-form adult female.
The bright red male Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) is most assuredly eye-catching. But don’t tell this lovely golden female she is not just as attention-getting.
Hot. Sticky. Wet. Hungry. No Gini. I’m going home.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Our Natural Places 
Stumbled upon your post in search of information about the Wetlands and thoroughly enjoyed your storytelling and photos. This is kind of wandering I most enjoy – early, quiet, in nature, with a camera. Looking forward to reading more.
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I am pretty sure you are only allowed to wear “trail runner” shoes if you are a runner – sorry Wally, looks like you will have to start training for ultras. Personally, I think it is okay, but rules are rules. Love that Marsh Rabbit. Not as cute as my favorite the Desert Cottontails, but darn close. Think I already mentioned I was lucky enough to see my first Purple Galinule this year at Sweetwater (Gainesville) – super cool.
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No worries. Thanks to your heads up I have taken a magic marker and obscured the word “runner” on those shoes.
Around here, the Marsh Rabbits outnumber the Cottontails by a wide margin. Must be something to do with all these wetlands.
At our local lake, the Purple Gallinules have learned to assault your feet if you don’t have a slice of bread for them. My Trail Runners —- uhh, Trail shoes — are full of holes pecked by the peeved birds.
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I so enjoyed lingering with you on the early morning walk. It brings back memories of our regular habit of getting out before sunrise and enjoying the first hours of the soft light which enhances your photos. MaryLou and I always wore leather boots, (well broken in) as we had to cope with a rough gravel trail. Seeing your morning critters almost duplicated our regular sightings. “Seven Sisters” is new to me. Does that mean the Marsh Lily cluster has seven flowers? (Back to my photo archives to see if I can count them!). I feel sad that Florida and my Wounded Woodlands are now permanently behind me as my traveling (and hiking) days are over, but am so happy to now be part of our daughter’s loving and supportive family. Our 5.1 acres which blend into the surrounding woodlands are not nearly as productive as your little Itchepackesassa patch, however badly I pronounce it.
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Me again. I searched my photos and counted the petals (six) and the stems (1, 2 or 3 pairs with 2,4,and 6 flowers. None had seven. However I found this reference on the Wild South Florida website: “One fun fact: it’s called seven sisters because some say the shape of the flower clusters resemble the shape of the Pleides, a star cluster found in Orion’s belt, according to noted naturalist Roger Hammer.”
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Aha!
Can’t believe I didn’t check their website! It’s usually a “go to” spot for lore just like this.
Thank you for the research!
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Thank you for joining me on the walk, Ken. I’m honored.
Not sure how this lily came to be called Seven Sisters but it’s also known as Swamp or String Lily. Pretty by any name.
In the not too distant future, we’ll be joining you in the club of parents moving in with their children as we’ll also be haning up our hiking shoes. We are, as you, blessed to have caring children.
Take good care.
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Back after a hiatus, and these were wonderful, as was the story telling. I love the dasher guy, lol! But I was looking out for the screech owl…
Have a wonderful rest of the week, Wally. Hope Gini is better.
Cheerio!
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The universe is relieved to hear of your return.
Thank you for the compliments. Alas, for me owls are often heard, seldom seen and even more rarely photographed.
Gini is MUCH better, thanks!
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😃🍂🍃🙌🏼
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I just love your close-up photos. Makes me want to get out with my camera to see what I can capture.
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Thank you very much!
Follow that instinct.
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This post from you, Wally, has stirred up even more ‘I wish’s’ than is usual when I read a post from you. In addition to the usual ‘I wish I could write as entertainingly as you do’ and ‘I wish I had such a fabulous selection of wildlife to photograph as you do’ there’s the ‘I wish I had the ability to get up and go out before sunrise’, I wish I could see an Eastern Ponhawk and Blue Dasher’, ‘I wish we had Eastern Gama Grass in UK’, ‘ I wish I had somewhere named Itchepackesassa near me as, with a name like that, I’d want to move to a house there’ – I think I’d better stop now, but not before I mention that I wish I had your photographic skills.
With my very best wishes to you and Gini. Take good care – – – Richard
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” … I wish I had your photographic skills …”
And just like that, your wish has been exceeded. (The “Wish Granter” has seen your photographs.)
Thank you, Richard. We get up early to beat the heat and are more than amply rewarded. This is a wonderful time to be outdoors around here. There is just so much activity.
We have gotten a head start on the weekend and send our very best wishes to both you and Lindsay.
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I can relate. I’ve had wet shoes on some of my hikes lately but it’s not bad when you know you can change at the vehicle! I wore Montrails for years and then Columbia bought the brand so I wear those now. It’s nice to have light weight shoes in the Florida heat. Love your sightings. The butterflies are everywhere right now but I haven’t been to a place with the water birds this week. It’s a treat to see some of my favs here. Enjoy your afternoon!
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I still love my very comfortable rugged hiking boots. But something happened a few years ago and after about ten minutes they seemed to get really heavy. Wait a minute. So did my camera gear. And my water bottle.
What’s going on? Probably some mysterious ailment I have contracted.
Yes, it’s been butterfly city lately. It’s fun being out and about early.
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Wetlands seem so magical and brimming with life. Unfortunately, not too many left in my neck of the woods. Wonderful photos. Glad you aren’t using your trail runners for running!
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Thank you very much, Peter. We seem to be blessed with a bunch of wet stuff around here so we try to make the best of it.
As for running, the only time that happens is when SWMBO calls, and then I’m usually barefoot.
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Peter, I haven’t been able to break the code on figuring out how to comment on your Blogger site. I definitely wanted to let you know how impressive your Milky Way post is! The landscapes, the stars, the whole thing is superb.
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Hi Wally- Thanks for letting me know and so sorry you are unable to post comments to my Blogger site. That’s a head-scratcher! It does seem like Blogger and Word Press don’t always play nice together. I have one specific Word Press site that will NEVER let me leave comments, yet I have no problem with other sites. Go figure. I’ll double-check my Blogger settings and see if I can stumble upon a fix. Even without a comment, I do appreciate you stopping by https://sparepartsandpics.blogspot.com/ Best- Peter
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Good morning, Miss Scarlet! I agree with your other readers, your image of the female Scarlet is wonderful. I’m glad you identified the Pickerelweed for us, and getting a Great Blue surrounded by it was a stroke of luck. I’ve seen it here in small patches at Brazos Bend St Pk, but never in an expanse like you’ve photographed. I just looked up from my keyboard, and it is raining! Nice thick rain soaking everything. You brought me your humidity, Yay!
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Next to the subtle golden beauty of the female, the bright red of her mate looks almost gaudy.
Rain! Finally! We hope it soaks for awhile, waits, and repeats.
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One of my favorites is our native Canna glauca; it was a surprise to see that you have your own species, although it shouldn’t have been. Another surprise was a detail in your photo of the Black-crowned Night Heron. Is that a tongue I see in that opened beak?
The phrase ‘seven sisters’ always evokes the star constellation for me. We have that lily, too, although I’ve only found it a couple of time. Here, it seems to most often go by the name Swamp Lily. I’ll bet Gini would have the same impulse I do when looking at that female Scarlet Skimmer; turn that baby into jewelry!
Speaking of babies: I’ve got you by two years. Now I’m wondering; what’s the female equivalent of ‘codger’?
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Yes, the heron has a tongue and she’s not afraid to use it.
I love the delicate appearance of the Crinum lilies. Gini highly prefers her dragons in the natural state. Do not ask her about what she did with their heads when she was a child.
My Mother was from Mississippi. My Dad was raised on a farm that straddled the Alabama/Florida state line. So, for me, a female ‘codger would be referred to as “Ma’am”. With reverence.
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I do agree, lots of nice finds on your slog.
I still wear hiking boots when on dry ground but am not carrying the load I once did. Often I just remove the camera, either the 180 or 100-400 with doubler, and leave the rest behind. I wear a pair of Muck boots, halfway up the leg, in wet stuff.
I see by your comment to Ed above that we share more than an interest in nature but also similar longevity. 75 here also. Got started mid-February so I might have you by a day or two..or not. A couple of codger naturalists.
Seven Sisters as a flower was a new one for me. Here we have a mountain range with seven small hills by that name. They are part of the Holyoke Mountain Range which has the distinction of being one of the few ranges that run east-west. The shot of the Black-crowned Night Heron should be on a wall in your home…or somebody’s.
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Thank you for stopping by, Steve.
I keep thinking I’ll get a pair of waders but I think I’ve thunk long enough that I’ve thought myself out of the idea.
Codger naturalists are the best. Naturally.
As far as that heron photo being hung, Gini says we need more walls.
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Your shots are so amazing also because they are taken in the early morning hours. The light is so different. Well captured! All.
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You’re too kind, but I don’t mind.
Thank you!
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😄😄😄
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Poor bunny with a squito on its sensitive nose.
You (and we) had a much better morning outing than Gini. I hope her doctor’s visit went well.
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I offered to smoosh that mozzie but the bunny turned out to be an uber and was just giving the bug a ride. He seemed “hoppy”.
Gini’s visit was good.
Thank you for visiting, EC.
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The pendulous flowers of eastern gamagrass are so photogenic. My impression is that most people don’t know grasses even have flowers. Just like I didn’t know rabbits are strong swimmers. Live and learn.
Buttonbush flower globes are not only attractive, but also fragrant. I always make sure to stop and smell the buttonbush.
That’s an excellent portrait of the wings-forward scarlet skimmer, and a good way to close the post.
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It can be almost startling to find grass with “flowers”. I think that’s one positve thing a macro lens has helped me with. Inspecting closer.
I had hoped to find a buttonbush in full bloom but no luck this time. And you are right about that aroma. Most pollinators agree.
There were a couple of male Scarlet Skimmers flitting about but none cared to stop for a portrait. Okay with me. She is beautiful.
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Yes Wally, some very nice sightings. Your photo of the female Scarlet Skimmer is gorgeous and the rest of your photos are wonderful too.
I know exactly what you mean when you say “slow pace” “with a heavy camera stopping every few steps.” I’m the same. But since I think I might be older than you, I’ll just refer to you as a youngster.
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Thank you, Ed, for those very kind remarks.
I especially like the idea of being younger than anyone! Although, in your case, I don’t think I’ll bet a bundle. Seven-and-a-half decades here.
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Well sorry – I guessed wrong – but you ‘win’ by less than half a decade. I was just going by how young your writing sounds!
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I’ll go with your guess, Ed. Just don’t tell my mirror. Or my joints. Or my eyesight. Or my …
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