It was a perfect morning at Wallace Brooks Park in Inverness. Seven of us gathered there and had an enjoyable time birding north along the Withlacoochee State Trail.
After making our way along the adjacent lakeside boardwalk, we arrived at Liberty Park where Fred Hileman took a group photo. The junction of the bike trail and North Apopka Ave. was active. A female Pileated Woodpecker worked a wooden telephone pole for insects. Bluebirds were on the wires. Yellow-rumped Warblers were just north of the crossing.
After making our way along the adjacent lakeside boardwalk, we arrived at Liberty Park where Fred Hileman took a group photo. The junction of the bike trail and North Apopka Ave. was active. A female Pileated Woodpecker worked a wooden telephone pole for insects. Bluebirds were on the wires. Yellow-rumped Warblers were just north of the crossing.
We stopped along the lake edge to observe a 10" baby alligator cross in front of us. Our first question was, where is mamma? After getting the photo op, we hurriedly left the area in case mamma was nearby.
About 30 yards before the first green bench on the left, an opening in the brush on the left led to a lake overlook. There was a short tree sticking out of the water. A Great Blue Heron nest was clearly visible with binoculars. A pair reared two young there last January and February. Although no adults were there when we were, they are known to visit that nest daily. January 1st or so may well find a female sitting on eggs.
Farther along the trail two of our group were checking an area of the lake for movement when just beside them the Great Egret appeared and seemed to say, "Can you see me now?" They seem to be totally unaware of the egret's presence.
The 150 yards from the bench to the bridge was alive with birds. Ruby-
crowned Kinglets hovered like hummingbirds looking for insects on
outer edges of bushes. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers mewed and gave us good
looks. A Black and White Warbler was seen by most as it worked its
way along a tree branch. A kingfisher rattled as it flew across the trail.
The 150 yards from the bench to the bridge was alive with birds. Ruby-
crowned Kinglets hovered like hummingbirds looking for insects on
outer edges of bushes. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers mewed and gave us good
looks. A Black and White Warbler was seen by most as it worked its
way along a tree branch. A kingfisher rattled as it flew across the trail.
After returning to our cars, we drove a short distance to Cooter Pond. The boardwalk there yielded three more species. They were Black Vulture, White Ibis, and Snowy Egret. We learned there that Snowiness sometimes spew poo while flying. One does not know if or when this
newly discovered fact might become useful all of a sudden…….
In all, 45 species were identified
.Photos Courtesy of Fred Hileman & Bob Ross.
Blog by Rey Wells.
newly discovered fact might become useful all of a sudden…….
In all, 45 species were identified
.Photos Courtesy of Fred Hileman & Bob Ross.
Blog by Rey Wells.
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