Flamingo

The Unexpected

/ TheNextHalfInOhio / Leave a comment

Sometimes when I go out to explore nature, I find myself having expectations of what I might see or something I would like to see. But what I’m learning is if I can clear my mind of those expectations, I see so much more. It provides a deeper experience of the wonder of nature that captivates not only the eye, but the imagination as well.

I want to share some of those experiences with you – things you may find enticing. Most of the photos in this blog are from time spent camping in state parks in northern Florida this past winter.

Sometimes the sheer beauty of color just stops you in your tracks, like in this photo of an American White Waterlily. It reminds me of a painting with colors bursting forth, yet so very much more enticing than one could ever actually paint. Nature has a beauty all its own that we can only mimic with paint or photographs, which is why experiencing nature is so important.

Not far away from this little pond was a vast open area surrounded by trees. An area that had obviously experienced a planned burn within the last year. The sun was illuminating it and brought it to life with such an essence you couldn’t stop staring at it. It was breathtaking in its own right.

Hikes in state parks and preserves in Florida can often provide rare experiences…like this one that occurred in Paynes Prairie Preserve at Bolen’s Bluff just south of Gainesville. Paynes Prairie offers 21,000 acres where Bison and wild horses graze freely. Sometimes if we’re lucky, we can ID Bison with binoculars, but they’re usually tiny brown dots on the horizon. Sometimes we never see them at all. Today was different.

Bison. Lots of them and closer than we have ever experienced. A world away that was now on our doorstep. You could hear the quiet rustling of a light breeze through the weeds…the lumbering footsteps of Bison as they moved about grazing quietly.

We had hiked part of the trail out into the preserve when we spotted a group of Bison moving towards the trail we had just trod. Suddenly realizing they could cut us off for returning to the truck, we hauled it back in a hurry to make sure we weren’t cut off. And it was a good thing we did. The Bison group crossed the trail twice and were in no hurry to move on. This photo was taken with a zoom lens at a respectable distance, but perhaps a bit too close for my comfort. We were told there were only female Bison here now as the males were removed due to being a bit too aggressive.

And the wild horses decided to pay a visit as well. Probably about 125 feet away or so, just grazing peacefully.

Beautiful animals fortunate enough to be able to have a very large playground to roam at will.

In Florida we see quite a number of birds; we expect and anticipate that. But sometimes we are especially lucky to see those birds we NEVER see in the wild in Ohio.

Yes, an American Flamingo, and it’s NOT in a Zoo. This creature was a favorite of many photographers at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge this past winter. We had seen it the prior year, but it was only just a tiny pink/orange spec in the distance in any photo we could get. This year it was much more cooperative (and totally focused on getting breakfast).

The American Flamingo is primarily found in Central and South America, though they are seen sometimes in Florida. They’re big wading birds – about 5 feet tall. This Flamingo did not appear to have a mate this year (or last year either). I’ve read they live more than 40 years. Let’s hope a mate is in its future!

The Crested caracara is another such rare bird. It is found in just a very few places in Florida. I’ve only seen it at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve and on this day, this immature caracara was at Myakka River State Park. Seems the dead wild boar drew scavengers including Turkey Buzzards. The Crested caracara feeds on carrion and will defend its food from vultures, as we saw it do.

This Snail Kite is also something one rarely sees. It is listed as endangered federally and in the state of Florida. According to the Cornell Lab (www.allaboutbirds.org), it is estimated that there are just 1,000 Snail Kites in the U.S. Loss of habitat has been a factor in keeping their numbers down. Snail Kites need marshes, lakes and other types of wetlands that have fairly clear water. They feed almost exclusively on (yes, you guessed it) freshwater apple snails.

The photo above shows the Kite in action. Snail Kites clutch the snail in their talons, then fly to a perch to pry out the snail. This particular bird in the photo has been banded for research purposes.

While not a rare bird, the American Bittern is seldom photographed (at least by me). These medium-sized stout-looking herons have a unique shape with shorter legs. They have this wonderful uncanny knack of blending well into marshy reedy areas – so much so that you can easily paddle right by them without ever being aware they exist. They hold their pose very carefully without blinking an eye (or so I believe anyway). Most birds will fly or find a way to flee, not the Bittern. They hide in plain sight. It’s always a thrill to capture a photo.

Ahhh, a woodpecker you say! Yes, it is. But it’s a rare one – the Red-cockaded woodpecker, a female I believe. Also an endangered species. They excavate nests in living longleaf pines exclusively and are found primarily in the southeastern U.S. Males have small red feathers (cockade) just below it’s cap and above the white cheek area. I’ve read the term “cockade” dates back to the 1800’s and refers to an ornament on a hat. Who knew?

An albino squirrel you say? Not quite. This is actually a white-phase Eastern Gray Squirrel. While mostly white, there are tiny areas with some darker coloring. The white coloring is due to leucism, a gene mutation. While beautiful and rare to see, it unfortunately also makes it a wonderful target for prey.

This? It’s a venomous Pygmy rattlesnake. While it’s not rare, it is for me to run into it. So far, I’ve only come upon two of these in the last several years. It’s about two feet long with a reddish brown stripe down its back. While some say it’s venom is not deadly, it can pack a wonderful punch with excruciating pain and swelling. And it’s advised to get to get immediate medical help if bitten. These snakes can be found throughout Florida and a good portion of the Eastern U.S. Avoid them.

And now for something you may have NEVER seen…the White Ibis tree (although if you look carefully I believe there may be an outlier in there – a Great Egret). Not sure what’s up with that!

The White Ibis is a bird you will see quite often in Florida and other southeastern states. They are typically found feeding in flocks. Though I’ve got to admit I’ve never seen this many White Ibis in one tree before. So I’m counting this as a rare occurrence for me.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these unexpected (and sometimes rare) photos of this most recent jaunt through Florida. You never quite know what you will find, and that’s the fun of it!

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.

Exploring Nature at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

/ TheNextHalfInOhio / 2 Comments

At 90,000 acres, this wildlife refuge is impossible to fully embrace in just a few days. But I’d like to share some photos of nature’s wonders that just might encourage you to visit here when you’re in the area.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is in the panhandle of Florida and hugs the Apalachee Bay. It’s a wintering location for a large number of migratory birds. The area is absolutely huge! But don’t let its great expanse overwhelm you. Go to the Visitor Center first and explore the drive out to the lighthouse. Then broaden your wanderings by foot or bike.

Here’s a map of this section of the refuge that might be of help. The black and white line on the map is the paved public road. At the top of the map, the Visitor Center is indicated. But keep in mind this is just one portion of the Refuge.

Wetlands attract a diverse range of ducks and birds – birds of prey, shore birds, ducks, warblers, songbirds and many others. Hiking areas provide easy access for closer views. This White-eyed Vireo was singing melodiously near the overlook at a wetland just off the main drive. It’s easy to see why it’s called “white-eyed.”

These Ring-necked ducks are easy to spot with the male’s gleaming black head and back. But it’s the bill I find so interesting. It appears to almost have been hand painted. Nature’s wonders indeed!

We also saw American Wigeons, Blue-Winged Teals and others, along with the ubiquitous Pied-Billed Grebes. The Pied-billed is a rather small bird and actually not considered to be a duck at all. Its diving antics are fun to watch. I read that its ancient lineage is more closely related to (believe it or not) the Flamingo. But that is still debatable by many.

Speaking of Flamingos, another visitor to the refuge told us they had heard of sightings of one. So naturally, off we go scouting the park to find the elusive bird. And lo and behold, there it was hanging out on Mounds Pool #3. Much too far away for a decent photo, but it’s enough determine it was a Flamingo.

Shorebirds were plentiful. Like this Great Egret. Look closer at the photo and you will see a Little Blue heron directly behind it and what might be a Greater Yellow Legs just to the left. But don’t quote me, as identification of shore birds are not my forte.

One enjoyable way to explore the area of the Mounds ponds is by trail bike. You can cover lots of ground while still having binoculars and camera close at hand to stop and check out the creatures you see. There are quite a few ponds there with dikes around them for easy access and observation.

Creatures come in a variety of sizes and shapes. And they co-exist. Like this alligator and the Greater Yellow Legs. The angle of this photo distorts the closeness of the two, but I still think that bird is rather brave.

The scenery in this area is breathtaking, with wide expanses of water and marsh grasses blending together. It’s quiet out here, with wind gently blowing through grasses and occasional calls of birds drifting through the area. If I had to define the term “peaceful,” this would be it. It’s a place where you can lose life’s distractions, time-commitments and “just be.”

In the photo below, a Tri-colored heron blends into its colorful surroundings, becoming at once an intricate and natural part of the scenery.

Closer to the shoreline is the famous St. Marks lighthouse. It’s located on the east side of the mouth of the St. Marks river and is second oldest light house in Florida. It opened in 1831 and has had several renovations. The lighthouse and keepers quarters were closed when we were there this past winter. The Fresnell lens in the lighthouse was removed during one of the renovations and is on display at the Visitors Center. A replica lens is now in its place in the lighthouse and is lit seasonally according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service website.

On the shoreline beneath that lighthouse, shorebirds are prolific. Bonaparte’s Gull, Terns of several species, Sandpipers, Plovers and others.

I was fortunate to be able to photograph a Piping Plover. Note the bands on both legs. After a bit of research, I was able to report this little guy to the USGS for their banding project research. Coastal populations of the Piping Plover are considered threatened here, while inland populations are considered endangered.

Here’s another shorebird I rarely see, the American Oystercatcher. It favors coastal areas with sand and shell beaches as well as salt water marsh areas. And yes, it does eat oysters as well as clams and other mollusks. This is a poor photo, even with a super zoom lens. These guys were quite shy.

The Wildlife Refuge sports not only coastal areas but also inland lakes. If you bring your canoe, Otter Lake is a wonderful place to spend a quiet morning. Its banks are entirely lined with Bald Cypress trees, draped with Spanish moss swaying in the breeze overhead. Its deep blue waters encourages one to paddle gently, hugging the shoreline and exploring its depths.

Osprey love this lake. Seems it’s the perfect habitat to raise their young. Great nesting areas and plenty of fish. We saw at least a dozen Osprey nests while we paddled the shore.

Osprey nests are typically found in tall trees or other structures which provide good visibility for the pair to protect their nest. At Otter Lake, many nests could be found high atop dead trees lining the lake. Nests are typically built of sticks with grasses, bark and other materials lining the inside. It is common for osprey to return to the same nest the following year. Osprey are largely monogamous.

Osprey are beautiful birds of prey. These raptors can be up to two feet in length and have a six-foot wingspan. Their diet is almost exclusively fish. I’ve read they dive for fish feet first. And they are exquisite creatures when in flight. Note the coloration of the wings in the photo below.

Otter Lake also sported a few other “black and white” birds. Wood Storks. These huge birds that can be four feet tall with five-feet wingspans. They nest in colonies in Winter and Spring in Florida. Their diet is primarily fish, but they also eat other small aquatic creatures, even baby alligators. They’re the only native stork in North America. I think they have a rather “prehistoric” look, but perhaps that’s why I am drawn to them. I don’t think many would call them beautiful.

And before we leave the wildlife refuge, I’d like to provide you with just one more look. This one impressed me with its color vibrancy. The green adorning the rocks could have been angel hair, it looked that soft and silky.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a truly wondrous area that has so much to explore. I know it’s on my list to visit again in the future. I hope it’s now on yours.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.