by Rey Wells
We had been successfully dodging less than ideal weather all season long on our field trips. But we ran out of luck this time with a soaking rain band hitting the end of our tram ride at OWP, followed by strong winds the next morning at Merritt Island. Nonetheless, folks seemed to have a great time. And, as you will see, we got some great looks at birds.
Orlando Wetlands Park
Our hosts and guides, Jim Meyer and Eileen Riccio, arrived mid-morning at OWP. They took advantage of the good weather then by hiking out to the boardwalk. There, they found active Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret nests in the adjacent trees. At least two of the spoonbill nests held recently hatched chicks. Jim got this great shot of one of those nests. It also shows a Black-crowned Night Heron in the background.
Out on the tram, we all got a good look at a Bald Eagles’ nest that held maturing eaglets. Big momma perched on a branch near the nest. Then we came across this Great Egret that had caught what appears to be a Siren.
As the storm approached late in our tram ride, an American Bittern was spotted just off the trail. I was able to get this close-up of it. After spending some minutes drying out in the visitors’ center, some of us caught a ride out to the boardwalk to see what Jim and Eileen had found in the morning. I handed in the generous donation that the CCAS board had approved.
On my walk back to the parking lot, I spent a few minutes with the Sandhill Crane family that was feeding near the visitor’s center. Here is one of the colts with one of its parents.
We reconvened in the early evening at the Dixie Crossroads restaurant. It was very good. I had the key lime pie for dessert. Quite good, but not as good as that at Peck’s in Ozello.
Merritt Island NWR
Clear skies, cool temperatures, and a strong breeze greeted us the next morning as we gathered and headed caravan style into the refuge. A lot of ducks had migrated, and the wind kept many other species in protected locations where we had little access. As we traversed Black Point Drive, we did get some good looks at waders and shore birds. Often, a bird would rise up from a hidden protected spot and fly briefly to another one. Last year I had a great photo visit with a pair of Reddish Egrets. We saw none this time.
After completing Black Point Drive, we drove to a viewing point for resident American Flamingos. They were not visible to us on this day. However, there were a few American White Pelicans resting on the island’s beach. A Laughing Gull bobbed along with a few scaup ducks in the whitecaps between us and the island. Not shown in the group photo are myself and one other who had retreated to rest in his car.
As Sheila and I drove downwind toward the mainland at 50 mph, a Turkey Vulture flew parallel to us at the same speed for about a quarter mile without flapping its wings! As I said, it was breezy out there!