Author Archives: makielb

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Florida

Susan and I returned to the typical wildlife drive at Lake Apopka and weren’t disappointed. Wading birds were quite plentiful along the drive. We had great looks at all of them. Two of my favorites were Glossy Ibis (left) and immature Little Blue Heron (right). There was a great Blue Heron nest where we stoppedContinue reading “Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Florida”

Orlando Wetlands, Florida

We spent the morning at Orlando Wetlands with our friends Roger and Dawn. The plane was to get there early, walk the boardwalk and have lunch before the temperture topped 90F. Our plan worked perfectly, and we even had some great birds. Roger, Dawn and Susan looking at waders and gallinules. Black-crowned Night-Heron and aContinue reading “Orlando Wetlands, Florida”

Haw Creek State Park, Florida

We spent a morning here with Roger and Dawn. There’s a wonderful boardwalk with great plants, insects and lizards But our day started at the bathrooms, it was a long drive and frankly there were insects/ Figure-eight Sallow (left) and Lunate Zale (right). These were a nice way to start the day. Spring fishflies addedContinue reading “Haw Creek State Park, Florida”

Longleaf Pine Preserve, Florida

We spent the morning walking the main trail at the Longleaf Pine Preserve in Volusia County, Florida. This trail always has interesting plants and butterflies. But with the current drought we knew that there would be less to be seen. Fourpetel St. John’swort was in prime condition in the parking area. Carolina Satyr (left) andContinue reading “Longleaf Pine Preserve, Florida”

Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Florida

We took the long drive to the T.M.Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area in southern Brevard County, Florida. Our target bird was Snail Kite, but we also heard of some other interesting birds there. When we got there we saw a bunch of people watching and photographing Roseatte Spoonbills. They were nice but not what we wereContinue reading “Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Florida”

Revisiting Merritt Island, Florida

Susan and I spent the day visiting some favorite places on Merritt Island. First we went to Pine Flatwood Trail, then we did Haulover Canal, Black Point Road, and the Visitor Center. We don’t come for the towhees, but rather the Florida Scrub Jays. Susan watching of the dozen jays that we found. Florida ScrubContinue reading “Revisiting Merritt Island, Florida”

Apopka WIldlife Area, Florida

We always visit the Apopka Wildlife Drive when in the New Syrma Beach area. But this year SEVAS (South East Volusia Audubon Society) arranged a special tour, via tram, to areas within the preserve that cannot be visited under normal circumstances. It was interesting getting back into areas we had never seen before. However theContinue reading “Apopka WIldlife Area, Florida”

Spruce Creek Park: Day-1

We spent a morning at Spruce Creek Park and Preserve looking unsuccessfully for a Red-breasted Nuthatch. We did have a lot of other interesting things. An American Kestrel is always nice to see perched, and not view from a moving car. Ballmoss (not a moss but a flowering plant in the genus Tillandsia). A coupleContinue reading “Spruce Creek Park: Day-1”