STA5 Revisited

I had made an afternoon visit to Estero Lagoon earlier in the week with hopes to capture the Green flash in the setting sun.

The Willet above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

No luck with that although I had an enjoyable time nonetheless.

There were no birds in the north lagoon upon my arrival which might be expected under the circumstances.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

A good number of shore and wading birds worked the surf as shelling by humans was observed.

The lores of one Snowy Egret in particular had a brilliant dark pink that can be seen during the breeding season.

The Royal Tern above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

What I believe to be the same pair of Reddish Egret seen a few months ago were present with one of the birds sporting its leucism.

A few Willet meandered by followed by a few Ruddy Turnstone.

The Ruddy Turnstone above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

In addition, a solitary Osprey and a Royal Tern had control of the sky above.

A Brown Pelican arrived in the last light of the day and dove in the water in search of prey.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

After photographing the setting sun, a solitary Roseate Spoonbill was seen actively feeding in the lagoon.

An 18 inch red snake (possibly Red Rat Snake) was seen in the mangroves in the last light of the day.

The Brown Pelican above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

Due to my inability to appropriately plan a visit to STA5, I made a last minute email to Margaret England to advise her of my interest in joining the first Big "O" birding tour of STA5 on the morning of March 23rd.

Upon my arrival a few minutes after sunrise, I was surprised that there were no vehicles at the entrance gate.

The sunset above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in March 2011.

A South Florida Water Management District employee entered STA5 as I waited in anticipation of seeing Margaret greet her visitors to the Stormwater Treatment Area as was the case in February.

As the minutes ticked by I sensed something was wrong.

The Snail Kite juvenile above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

With Snail Kite active in the northeast corner of Cell 1A, I walked to water control structure G-343A which allowed me site of my vehicle and any incoming cars.

The water level in Cell 1B appeared lower to me than I thought I had seen it last month.

The Purple Gallinule above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

If this was indeed the case, it was only a matter of inches and possibly impacting the number of birds which were half those within this cell seen previously.

A water control structure to the east of the entrance to STA5 appeared to have water pumped into Cell 1B near maximum flow.

The scene above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Some bird species certainly favor ideal conditions for them to be present in an area.

This was brought to my attention by Tom Obrock in my first observation of Black-necked Stilt at the Exit 131 Rest Stop on Interstate 75 in late July of 2010.

The Snail Kite juvenile above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Although I observed a handful of the stilts at STA5 in February, it was a treat to see them again this past week.

Shortly after I settled down to observe and photograph the scene, a SFWMD helicopter was apparently making a survey of the area and flushed the stilts from behind tall grasses to my southwest.

The Caspian Tern above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

I had not seen one of these "official" helicopters since an overflight at Bunche Beach Preserve about a year ago.

I was able to count 11 (one is out of frame in the image enclosed) of the birds in the flock before they flew out of view and would not return.

The aircraft above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

In addition to the stilts, as many as 25 Fulvous Whistling-Ducks were seen in flight and was likely my first sighting of the species.

After the helicopter left the scene, the ducks returned either individually or in small groups.

The Green Heron above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

I had never observed so many Green Herons as on this occasion which made low flybys on a frequent basis.

It was a treat to see the male and female Snail Kite with a juvenile while for some reason the male Snail Kite is not seen predictably at Harns Marsh Preserve among the many females of the species there.

The Black-necked Stilt above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Many of the other regular species expected to be seen in the area were present in my few hours of observation at the STA5 water control structure.

Later in the morning I was surprised to see a small caravan of cars approach from what appeared their first lap along the levies.

The Anhinga above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

It was at that point that I knew I wish I were able to have committed to this trip much sooner.

I was impressed to hear that this group of observers had arrived at 6:00am "for sunrise" although it didn't actually occur until about 90 minutes later.

The Fulvous Whistling-Duck above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Sunny conditions predicted for the day were were not seen in the morning with heavy fog and low cloud cover through mid morning.

After the fog burned off the clouds that remained diffused the available light making the long distance photography somewhat of a challenge for focus tracking and sharp images especially considering the necessary heavy crops of the images taken.

The Limpkin above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Although it was my expectation to again explore STA5 on this visit, I'm glad that things happened as they did which gave me the opportunity to have a better understanding of bird behavior in a relatively confined area over a longer period of time at this venue.

I'm looking forward to a return to STA5 next winter.

The Green Heron above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Interesting wildlife news this past week was the report of the sighting of the oldest free flying bird known that is a survivor of the most devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami to strike Japan since records have been kept.

The Laysan albatross seen is believed to be in excess of 60 years of age and was observed supervising its chick within Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge after the disaster.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

The albatross was banded in 1956 with the designation triple O seven as seen in the most recent photograph of the bird.

A great story about the bird and facts about the species may be read here.

The Blue-winged Teal above was photographed at STA5 in March 2011.

Harns Marsh Preserve IV and V

It was a treat to make my fourth and fifth trips to Harns Marsh Preserve this past week.

The fisherman above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

On my fourth visit to the preserve, there seemed a relative absence of wildlife. I didn't see the handful of waders that I had been accustomed to seeing on previous visits. As I approached the weir, a Tricolored Heron made flight across the expanse of water to my right and then things became exhilarating as hoped.

With regret for not making much closer diligent observation, I inadvertently flushed a female Snail Kite from its perch in a pine tree as I walked under it. I can only imagine all the birding opportunities I've missed due to my inexperience and virtually all birds I've observed having the ability of being extremely well camouflaged.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

I had the Harns Hawk on my mind after speaking to my friend Suzanne on the way to the preserve. She told me the preserve was named after it. This bird must be known by another name as I did not find it in my Sibley Guide to Birds upon my return home.

In all, I made the walk nearly exactly as I had upon my first visit to the preserve three weeks ago.

The Red-shouldered Hawk above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

The Limpkin was not to be seen closely in the trees, but more closely on the ground as seems more typical for this species. Its calls were again distinctive, but did not carry across the marsh from any perspective I've experienced on preceding visits to the preserve.

On the way back to the weir, after observing the birds typically seen, I heard the call of a Limpkin relatively strongly from the north and a reply much closer to me from a stand of pines. It caused a Snail Kite within them to take flight and exit the area. I was never able to catch sight of the closer Limpkin as it was extremely well hidden.

The Limpkin above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

My first sighting of the Pileated Woodpecker at the preserve was made on my fourth visit. I saw it upon my entry and was excited to still see it where I had left it upon my return from what I would describe as an ideal vantage point at the preserve where there is some welcome shade.

After a twenty minute observation of the woodpecker diligently attempt to find some insects under some tree bark, I watched it settle for the consumption of some berries high above the ground when it ultimately made its distinctive flight well out of range.

The Snowy Egret above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker was in the immediate company of the pileated. Also with the two woodpeckers in the cypress strand was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. I was not able to get a photograph of the latter, but very much enjoyed its call which is my favorite.

A female Snail Kite made a snatch of its quarry from the south marsh which I've observed on most of my visits to the preserve. This observation was preceded by photographing the male which was on the tree typically populated by vultures.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

The male kite was in somewhat good light for a shot when he was about to consume the snail, and then changed his perch. I moved on after light conditions were abysmal with the bird in the shade.

I had walked to the area I have seen the Glossy Ibis which I don't recall observing on my fourth trip to the preserve at all.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

Media Coordinator, for BirdPatrol.org, Gayle Schmidt, has confirmed my Rock Dove sighting on 8 September 2009 as the 120th bird species to be documented at the preserve. The pigeons had a great variety of plumage, which for me, made the sighting especially extraordinary.

On my last three visits to Harns Marsh Preserve, I've had the opportunity to photograph a duck flying low at me from the north, but haven't been able to react quickly enough to get the shot.

The Great Egret above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

My fifth visit to the preserve was very interesting as I observed the Red-shouldered Hawk consuming a Little Blue Heron. After I inadvertently caused the hawk to leave its quarry (with great effort on its part to take flight with the remains of the heron), I continued to observe the scene for about thirty minutes. The hawk didn't return to the massacre though stayed close enough for me to be aware of its presence and have regret for disturbing its meal.

The Turkey and Black Vultures apparently became aware of the carcass as they circled the area for quite a while before I chose to give the hawk some peace.

The Turkey Vulture above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

My visit to the preserve was not planned before getting there. I was content to hang around the area I'd become so familiar with, but chose, after getting the inspiration from a fisherman, to walk around the preserve's boundary.

As I was nearly out of earshot from him, he asked me if I was afraid of snakes. I could only reply that I believed the cottonmouth to be observed here. Since looking at Gayle's checklist for the preserve, I'm much more cautious when walking in the grass.

The Queen Butterfly above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

The trip around the preserve was much longer than I had anticipated and at one point I might be described as delirious as I'd swear that the horizon was in motion when I stopped to take a photograph.

It was a very rewarding experience nonetheless as I observed the Sandhill Crane for the first time. I regret that I flushed a pair while unaware of their presence and was only able to get a parting few shots of them.

The Mottled Duck above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

I also saw numerous Snail Kite and Limpkin, as well as the Mottled Duck fairly closely (which I believe to be the ducks I've seen flying toward me on previous visits to the preserve). The Great Egret was in abundance as well in the company of the Pied-billed Grebe that I hadn't seen in a long while.

I didn't see the Glossy Ibis again today, which was disappointing, but saw four Belted Kingfisher in the oaks and over the marsh to the north of the trail head.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

There are prolific smaller creatures here including butterflies which may suite your interest as well. The butterflies I've observed at the preserve thus far (late summer) have been quite worn showing significant damage to their wings.

Though I was very fortunate not to observe the fire ant on previous visits, today was not the case. While attempting to photograph a butterfly, I realized I was in trouble after a sting from one of the ants on my hand. I immediately looked down to see one of my tripod legs completely covered by the ants. I spent upwards of ten minutes removing them from the gear before I continued on.

The Snail Kite above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

I hadn't experienced this pest as a nuisance near the trail head, but it will easily be found on your walk around the preserve. Be very careful to avoid these ants which are extremely aggressive.

Cooler weather will certainly bring an abundance of additional wildlife and more visitors to this magnificent place.

The Pileated Woodpecker above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.

A two to four hour walk should be expected to see Harns Marsh Preserve in its entirety.