“Come to the woods, for here is rest.” – John Muir
Upstate New York is unbelievably beautiful. In autumn, that beauty is enhanced by trees adorned with leaves of hues we never even knew existed. Walking along a path in November, crisp cold air turning your nose red, dry leaves crunching under foot, a Ring-necked Pheasant in a field springing up suddenly and snow beginning to fall gently to create a soft blanket which would cover those crunchy leaves during the night.
Gini and I are native Floridians. Living in Syracuse, New York was an adventure we shall never forget.
Fast forward – a lot of years. Back in our home Sunshine State there has always been a joke that Florida only has two seasons: brown and green. We are in the brown one.
However – there are a few spots in the state which, while not on the scale of a New York fall, sport a rather colorful display during late November and early December. Our local state park at Colt Creek happens to be one of those locales. Thanks to a healthy population of Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and a combination of rainfall amount and temperature, we occasionally find red and gold among our normally green patch of swamp and woods.
December in Florida also means we have opportunities to observe birds visiting from as far away as, well, upstate New York. The migratory travelers appreciate all the insect life the swampy woods offer. We appreciate them consuming as many as they can.
A couple of weeks ago, Gini packed up some fresh Florida citrus and granola bars and we enjoyed a splendid day chasing small birds in big trees. We saw our first Chipping Sparrows of the season but, alas, they were quick to escape and I couldn’t find them again for a photo. In addition to a good number of birds, we saw some of our “regular” residents: alligators, deer, squirrels, turtles and even caterpillars, butterflies and a few dragonflies.
The woods smell different at this time of year. I suppose it has to do with decaying leaves recently released from limbs now becoming compost which will support new life in the spring. Drier weather means lower water levels in the creeks and more of the banks exposed for animals and birds to explore the soft mud for a meal.
In addition to fall warblers, we were fortunate to spot a local pair of Red-shouldered Hawks, an American Kestrel, young White Ibises, lovely Turkey Vultures trying to stay warm and a couple of Killdeer at the ranger station. The morning passed all too quickly.
We lingered a bit to enjoy our colorful autumn display across the lake. Admittedly, not as impressive as our New York memory, but we like it just fine.
The Common Yellowthroat has what we refer to as “small bird syndrome”. Similar to his cousins the wren and gnatcatcher, they are quick to challenge any would-be intruder and aggressively jump to a conspicuous perch to defend their territory.
Speaking of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. This one was too busy keeping an eye on a breakfast bug to challenge my presence.
White-tailed Deer are common throughout the park early in the morning and have become somewhat accustomed to human presence. This doe still eyed me suspiciously and eventually melted into the trees as I wandered around looking for birds.
An Eastern Bluebird seems to defy gravity as it hangs on to a piece of pine tree bark.
Pine Warblers can be quite bright yellow or quite drab gray, and many shades in between. These big-billed warblers readily come to feeders for seed to supplement their insect diet.
At the park entrance, two Killdeer probed the grass around the pavement for insects. The bird supposedly gets its name from its call. The naturalist, Mark Catesby (early 1700’s) called it the “chattering plover”.
Small gray/brown bird, subtle breast streaks, yellowish flanks – a Yellow-rumped Warbler. The species has been split into two distinct varieties: Myrtle with a whitish throat and Audubon’s with a yellow throat.
It is an ornithological mystery as to how the bird received its common name.
As we passed by a creek, a slight movement caught our attention, otherwise we would have walked by this pair of beautiful Red-shouldered Hawks.
There’s nothing like an old metal roof to warm one up on a chilly morning. A pair of Turkey Vultures soak up the heat as they wait for thermals to form so they can begin their day of soaring. I thought the one perched on the roof’s peak would make a good weather vane. Gini said – well – suffice it to say she was not quite as enthusiastic as I was.
North America’s smallest falcon is the American Kestrel. This one was typically wary and flew to the next county as soon as I snapped a distant picture. The male is unmistakable in his colorful plumage.
A pair of White Ibises prepare to land in a small wetland. Immature birds are brown with white splotches until their second year, when they molt into the pure white of an adult.
Eastern Phoebe’s are fairly numerous throughout the winter and we miss them when they migrate north again. This one enjoys a large grasshopper brunch. Almost too large?
Our memories of distant autumn foliage are cherished. We are blessed to have small bits of color at this time of year which add to our enjoyment of Florida’s forests.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
LATE BREAKING NEWS FLASH !!
When last we met, spiders were busy guarding egg sacs throughout the land. We found one which Mother Green Lynx Spider had torn open to help all her new babies crawl out into the wide world. All those little reddish-brown dots have legs.
(Header Image: Swamp Sparrow)
Is our “patch” TOO convenient? I mean, within ten minutes we can be in the middle of some pretty decent birding territory. So it is no wonder we tend to visit it more often than other, more distant locations. As Gini said on this morning, we always see SOMETHING special out here!
Today was no different.
Central Florida has only four species of sparrow which breed within the state: Bachman’s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis); a Florida sub-species of Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus); House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) – an introduced old world species; and, a bird many forget is actually a sparrow, the Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus). There are three sub-species of Eastern Towhee in Florida, each having a different color iris.
As late fall arrives, so do additional species of sparrows. Our local patch, Tenoroc Fish Management Area, is blessed with abundant habitat attractive to hungry visitors from the north. We found three migratory species this morning: Swamp Sparrow, with its distinctive rusty wing patch; Savannah Sparrow, crisp streaks and yellow lores; and Vesper Sparrow, white eye ring and longish tail bordered in white (obvious in flight).
Florida’s weather is not just attractive for tourists wanting to escape frigid temperatures and snow shovels. Insects are able to thrive here most of the year. Which is why we are blessed with such a variety of avian migrants, many of which overwinter if the air doesn’t get too cold.
Gini spotted “something” in the field. It appeared the tops of a couple of dried woody-stemmed weeds had been encased in silk and drawn together. Closer examination revealed a brown-colored “pouch” in the center of the mass. Even closer examination revealed a green guardian close to the “pouch”.
The Green Lynx spider was ready to repel any would-be attackers as she protected her egg sac. That sac could contain as many as 600 eggs, with about 200 being average. When the time is right, she will rip the top from the sac and hundreds of new spiderlings will emerge. They will remain in the enclosed “webbing” for two to four weeks and then they’re on their own.
Green Lynx spiders (Peucetia viridans) are common throughout the southern United States from coast to coast, Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. During this particular morning, we spotted at least a dozen of these enclosed egg sacs, each with Mama Spider ready to eat us. (Well, that’s a bit dramatic.)
Our trip today was somewhat shorter than normal and we found not only sparrows and spiders, but also a falcon, a preening ground dove, the bluebird of happiness, a marsh marauder, a hanging dragon and a more sinister scaly beast at the creek!
A beautiful day, a gorgeous companion and the infinite diversity of Nature displayed in all its glory!
Life. Is. Good.
A pair of American Kestrels circled over an open grassy field for a moment and the female came close enough for a picture. These are North America’s smallest falcons.
True to its name, the Common Ground Dove spends a lot of time, well – on the ground. Once in awhile, though, a tree branch is a great place to rest and clean one’s feathers. Preening offers us a good chance to view the rich reddish-brown underside of this little dove’s wings.
Brown crown, gray neck and breast, whitish throat, yellow behind the bill and rusty wings help identify a Swamp Sparrow. Habitat helps, too. They are typically found low in the brush near water.
At the south end of a large open field, we can usually find a few Eastern Bluebirds. Today was no exception and one even perched close enough even I could get its picture. Now, if I can just train them to perch on tree limbs instead of wires.
One of our regular winter migrants used to be called a Marsh Hawk, due to its preferred hunting area. Bird-naming-bureaucrats with omnipotent powers decided one day that this beautiful raptor should henceforth be called a Northern Harrier. Splendid to watch, no matter what she’s called.
Once Gini found the first Green Lynx spider (Peucetia viridans) nursery, they seemed to be everywhere. Below are images of egg sacs protected by that fiercest of sentinels – MOTHER!
The handsome Savannah Sparrow prefers drier habitat than his Swamp cousin. Brown above, light below, crisp streaks and usually a yellow patch in front of the eye.
At first glance, the Vesper Sparrow appears similar to the Savannah. A white eye ring helps identify it along with white outer tail feathers which are visible in flight. Also, the Vesper lacks the yellow around the eye which the Savannah sports.
Odonata activity has slowed down as a series of cold fronts recently moved through the state. We were a bit surprised to encounter a Blue-faced Darner (Coryphaeschna adnexa) just hanging around.
“That creek looks so inviting”, Gini sighed. “Wouldn’t it be great to kick off our shoes and wade in that clear water?” I seldom disagree with my bride – for health reasons. This time, however, I suggested she glance to the left just a bit. “Oh. Never mind.”
We had a fantastic morning ferreting out sparrows and marveling at the Green Lynx spider’s life cycle playing out right before our eyes. Breakfast was but a memory and now it was time for a treat to take home. Cuban sandwiches and Spanish bean soup. Yum!
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
(Header Image: Lake Kissimmee pre-dawn, light fog.)
“It’s something different.”
A phrase guaranteed to increase a birder’s pulse rate.
“Yellow face, dark eye line, greenish on the back, white wing-bars, white underneath, dark throat – what in the world?”
Gone.
A couple of pictures. Sigh. Drive on.
“There it is! There are two of them!”, Gini yelled and braced for impact as I slammed on the brakes. The two birds were in plain view on an oak tree branch over the road. As I swung the camera up – gone again.
Reviewing the field guide showed our little friends were NEW BIRDS for us! Black-throated Green Warblers!
We had stopped after spotting quite a bit of activity on the sides of the dirt road ahead and movement in the scrub oak trees on either side of us. On the road, a half-dozen Palm Warblers scooted around, tails a-wagging, snapping up bugs from the dirt and grass. In the trees, we saw more Palm Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Tufted Titmice, Downy Woodpeckers, a Yellow-throated Warbler, a White-eyed Vireo and our new warbler. A group such as this is fairly common during migration. Safety in numbers.
It was mid-morning and the day had been another spectacular adventure in central Florida! Just before sunrise, we stopped to admire huge Lake Kissimmee (35,000 acres) from the State Road 60 bridge. A few miles farther east, we turned onto the rut-filled entrance road to the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.
Up until around the mid-19th century, it is estimated there were more than one million acres of grass prairie in Florida. Over 500 years ago, Spanish explorers left cattle in the state which had been brought from Spain to provide food. These cattle were small, lanky and had wide horns. Not the best beef cattle, but they could survive in Florida’s harsh environment. Improvements to the stock were made after the Civil War and around the turn of the 20th century Florida ranked second only to Texas in United States beef production. Although the state’s vast prairies were being reduced due to population increases and development, better management, newer grass species and more effective pest control for cattle all combined to create a thriving cattle industry which continues today.
The vast (64,000+ acres) Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area on the east side of Lake Kissimmee offers an incredible opportunity to explore remnants of Florida’s dry grass prairie as well as the wet prairies near each of the three lakes (Kissimmee, Marian and Jackson). Also in the area are groves of scrub oak, upland pine woods and wet cypress domes. Each of these different habitats host an amazing diversity of life. Not to mention the three lakes, which not only offer fabulous fishing but provide nesting, hunting and wintering territory for an incredible number of birds.
It’s difficult to top a new life bird, but the entire day was filled with discovery. Migrating birds, beautiful resident birds, white-tailed deer, raccoons, fox squirrels, gorgeous flowers, aroma of fresh pine trees, bright blue water of the lakes – exciting and relaxing all at the same time!
A small sample of what we saw today.
Our new life bird! He promised to pose for a better photograph – next time. Black-throated Green Warbler.
A female Common Yellowthroat doesn’t sport the black mask of her male counterpart, but both prefer to remain low in the brush where they hope to escape a predator’s attention.
Another female, an Indigo Bunting, sports only a hint of color at the shoulder and in the tail.
Wet areas abound around the lakes and in low places which catch runoff from rains falling on the prairie. Many plants take advantage of the dampness and flourish in these spots. One of the more spectacular examples is the Swamp Rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus) which can grow to nearly ten feet (3+ meters) tall. A butterfly visitor, the Twin-spot Skipper (Oligoria maculata), appreciates the nectar and has agreed to transport a bit of pollen to a nearby plant.
Normally skulking on a low limb just above water, this Green Heron takes advantage of a higher altitude branch to scout for breakfast.
A healthy apple snail population attracts a female Snail Kite. She has been banded in an effort to keep tabs on her travels. The Snail Kite is endemic to Florida within the United States and is on both Federal and state endangered lists. In 1972, it was estimated there were less than 70 individuals in Florida. Today there may be more than 1,000 but it’s future is of extreme concern.
Part of the Three Lakes WMA consists of open pine forest. Dead or dying trees are a preferred nesting spot for the Red-headed Woodpecker. From 1966 to 2014, this beautiful woodpecker declined in population nearly 70% in North America. Causes of the decline include landowners clearing away dead trees and the overall decline of nut crops.
There be dragons in the prairie! Who knew? We found several Odonata throughout the day.
Guardians of the lakes. A Great Blue Heron and large Peninsula Cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis) share a lily pad patch near the shore of Lake Kissimmee.
Another female Snail Kite, this one without ankle jewelry, perches atop a channel marker which has the remnants of an Osprey nest.
Remember the fabulous fishing I mentioned earlier? A Little Blue Heron demonstrates how easy it is. Simply dip your long beak into the wet grass and, voilà!
Speaking of lunch. We enjoyed cold chicken and fruit on a sun-filled day as we gazed out over blue water and watched a sky filled with birds putting on a show – just for us.
We had a terrific morning of exploring this vast area and were amply rewarded with observations of nature at every turn. A return trip is already planned.
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Additional Information
Stepping into the warm water of Tampa Bay, a school of mullet moved ahead of me as though it was one large organism. Occasionally one would jump and smack the water’s surface and I would once again wish for proficiency in the art of throwing a cast net. A much larger splash behind me turned out to be a Brown Pelican crashing onto a school of sardines.
The East Beach turnaround is at the southeastern boundary of Fort De Soto Park. Earlier, we were at North Beach, at the park’s northwestern extremity. The actual “East Beach” is a nice beach, although it is located on Tampa Bay and not the Gulf of Mexico (as North Beach is). As such, the sand is not the pure white sugary stuff produced by the Gulf’s pounding surf but there is a very nice grove of trees and picnic area. That grove of trees can fill with migrating warblers in the fall and especially in the spring.
As you drive beyond the East Beach parking lot, the road continues for about a half-mile and ends in a circular turn-around. There is an outstanding view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance and on either side of the road are tidal flats offering fantastic fishing. Wading these waters is a bit different than it was at the North Beach. Instead of a firm, sandy bottom, deep mud makes walking a challenge. Old tennis shoes with tightened laces work well.
Once again, I waded a few yards offshore which did not seem to alarm the feeding birds. Approaching them from the land side, they were quick to fly away, apparently nervous I might be a predator. The main attraction for most shorebirds here is the wrack line of accumulated seaweeds and grasses.
The number of birds here was nowhere near what we encountered on the sand bars earlier. This was not a place for birds to rest, rather it was a buffet where the patrons jostled and ran for a better position in line. Constantly active, the diversity of species may have been relatively small, but it was great fun trying to keep up with them.
Dripping, muddy and sandy, I begged Gini for “just one more stop”. Not really. She eagerly asked where we were headed next. However, we both agreed since it was nearing high noon that the ultimate goal of our trip should soon be realized. Our favorite seafood place is not far from here and is our not-so-secret actual destination any time we find ourselves within 50 miles (or more).
The last stop today was a walk on the fishing pier which juts 1000 feet (305 meters) into the Gulf of Mexico. The pilings supporting the pier, as well as the shade provided by the pier, attracts all sorts of small fish and crustaceans. These, in turn, attract all sorts of bigger fish and large amounts of birds, each hoping for an easy meal. No wading involved here! The stroll in the sunshine helped dry out my shorts and shoes a bit.
Our morning visit to one of our favorite parks was extremely satisfying. We enjoyed the sun, sand, water, birds and each other’s company. Plans to return are already in progress.
Since we ended our visit to the North Beach (in part II) by saying farewell to a Reddish Egret, it seemed only fitting to be welcomed to the East Beach area by – another Reddish Egret!
Even in non-breeding plumage, a Ruddy Turnstone has a wonderfully complex plumage which allows it to blend in on a beach quite well.
A Great Egret was almost too “great” for my lens to get it all in the frame.
Replete in her golden slippers, a Snowy Egret scans the shallow water for lunch.
Our companion, the Reddish Egret, is all business as a small crab gets his attention. He grabbed the crab and downed it before I could even think about snapping a photo.
From the tall to the small. Not as big as an egret, a Least Sandpiper is just as effective at hunting. At less than six inches (15 cm) long, this is the world’s smallest shorebird.
We counted 18 Short-billed Dowitchers in this spot. Their long bills come in quite handy for probing deep into the mud. “Short-billed” certainly does not seem accurate, but it is to distinguish them from their close relative, the Long-billed Dowitcher. In truth, bill length of both species can be similar, with females often sporting longer bills than males.
In non-breeding plumage, a Semipalmated Plover is much paler than it was during the summer. The name “semipalmated” refers to webbing between the bird’s toes which is difficult to see in the field.
Nearly the same size, a Sanderling and Semipalmated Plover race along the wrack line in the never-ending quest for food. The Sanderling’s gray and white non-breeding plumage is quite different from the mottled brown/rusty feathers of breeding season.
The namesake black belly has faded until the spring, but size, plumage and bill shape help identify the Black-bellied Plover.
A much stouter bill and pale (instead of yellow) legs help distinguish the Wilson’s Plover from his cousins.
Gini-with-the-spectacular-eyes spotted an Eastern Wood-Pewee in a nearby tree. We normally see a small number of these flycatchers during migration but they seldom hang around very long.
While chasing the Wood-Pewee, a movement higher in the same tree turned out to be a Yellow-throated Warbler.
As I stepped onto the fishing pier, a pair of Ruddy Turnstones were engrossed in a conversation about a nearby clam bar.
Looking down onto a Double-crested Cormorant provided a unique perspective of this diving expert. A sleek design, powerful legs with webbed feet, a long hooked bill and a fan-shaped tail to act as a rudder under water combine to make this a very efficient fisherman. (The bubbles are caused by schools of fish.)
Common Terns in non-breeding plumage show a dark cap behind the eye and onto the back of the head. Wingtips are a bit darker than the similar Forster’s Tern.
A wide wingspan for gliding and long lower mandible specially designed for dipping just below the water’s surface make the Black Skimmer a very distinct-looking bird!
Two dozen Brown Pelicans floated around the pier scooping up fish when they felt like it. These huge birds seem ungainly when perched but in the air they transform into something altogether – elegant.
Beyond the pier, clouds begin to form in the distant Gulf of Mexico.
Our morning adventure was packed with excitement! We have been here before. We shall be here again. Anticipation is, indeed, an emotion. We can’t wait.
(Fin)
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
Postscript.
Lunch was exceptional. Remember the mullet I encountered above? We had two of their friends fried to perfection. The portions required two separate plates for each of us. Happy campers we were!
Additional Information
“Have any luck?”
The broad smile on my face seemed to be sufficient answer as Gini just asked: “Where to next?”.
It had, indeed, been a good morning. The sheer number of birds was overwhelming and selecting subjects to photograph was a challenge. Attempting to isolate a single bird which was in the midst of two-hundred of her closest friends proved to be an exercise in frustration.
Even in the seeming chaos, patterns emerged. Wind. Determine the direction of the wind. Birds will use the breeze in their face to provide lift for taking off and for braking power as they land. Watch for preening. Once all the cleaning is finished, birds will typically stretch head, wings and tail a few times. Terns and gulls will hover above a potential target just before they drop onto it with open bill and once they spring back into the air will shake vigorously to rid their feathers of excess water.
Take care of yourself and your equipment. Since I grew up fishing in these waters, I know there are things under the surface which can hurt you. It’s important to learn the “stingray shuffle”. Simply slide your feet (which you do have covered, right?) as you move in order to encourage stingrays resting on the bottom to move out of your way. If you were to walk normally, you risk surprising one of these nice flat-bodied beauties and could be rewarded with a nasty sting. Much of the time, you can spot any jellyfish in your path and simply walk around them. Sharks? They hunt mostly at night. Mostly …..
There will be sand. Clean cameras, lenses and tripods thoroughly but carefully. Try to blow or lightly brush everything before attempting deeper cleaning. Take tripods apart, rinse with fresh water, wipe dry and add a small amount of lithium grease to threads. Consult owners’ manuals for cleaning camera bodies and lenses.
The latter part of the morning consisted of walking along the sand bars, wading out to waist-depth and moving parallel to the shore for photographing birds on the beach and remembering to look up as the sky was filled with birds most of the time.
Although the entire morning was extremely satisfying, a couple of highlights made it even more special. Any opportunity to watch a Reddish Egret is one I cherish. During the day we observed four different individuals. Although not extremely rare, the Lesser Black-backed Gull is anything but a common sight on the west coast of Florida.
Back on the main shore, dripping and sandy, I turned and just watched from a distance all the birds on the outer bar. Screeching, flapping, fishing, preening, resting. Daily activity. The rhythm of life. It was a privilege to be among them for a short time.
A pair of Forster’s Terns were unperturbed by my presence on their sandbar. Since I was offshore in deeper water, perhaps they thought I was some sort of weird Pelican. (Save the beached whale jokes. Heard ’em all.)
The Royal Tern does look fairly regal with a golden bill and neatly coiffed hairdo (“featherdo”?). A pair rest in ankle-deep water as the Gulf of Mexico roars ashore behind them.
Following an unsuccessful dive into the briny, this Forster’s Tern shakes off excess water and provides a rather comical look in the process.
Visits by Lesser-black Backed Gulls to North America have increased over the past few years but experts aren’t sure why. Most of these wintering gulls come from Iceland, Britain or western Europe. With a wingspan of up to 59 inches (150 cm), this big gull needs a lot of space to take off.
Landing in a crowd. The Royal Tern demonstrates how it’s done.
Although not in a crowd, the Black Skimmer is still quite pleased with her own landing skills.
The Sandwich and Royal Terns are simply gorgeous as they navigate above the sandbar heading for shallow water and a sardine brunch.
Not much escapes the large eyes and big bill of a Reddish Egret.
A comparison in size between the Great Egret and Reddish Egret. I believe the current phrase for what I am receiving from the Reddish Egret is: “The Stink-Eye”.
Once he became comfortable with my presence, “Big Red” struck a very nice pose.
Shrieking overhead got my attention. I looked up to find a Forster’s Tern yelling (probably at me) as he dropped into the lagoon and emerged with a tasty morsel.
Despite their name, Short-billed Dowitchers have very long bills which they use to probe deeply into the soft, damp beach sand. They will often feed with their bills in a vertical position and move their heads up and down like the needle of a sewing machine.
It was time to go. “Big Red” flapped in and landed just up the beach. Okay. Just one more photograph.
“East Beach!” My answer to Gini’s question was logical (to me). It was the opposite extreme of where we had spent the morning at Fort De Soto Park and its location, surrounded by large areas of shallow water, was attractive to many shore birds. The ten minute driving time was enough to enjoy a fresh apple.
(To be continued …)
Enjoy your search for a natural place and come back for a visit!
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