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”
Author Archives: makielb
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”
A day at the beach
The other day Don drove us along the beach at New Smyrna Beach. As always it was a fun time. One of the many Royal Terns that we saw. A Sandwich Tern with Royal Terns. One of the many Ruddy Turnstones that we saw. One of the many Snowy Egrets at the Ponce Inlet. Breakwall.Continue reading “A day at the beach”
Canaveral National Seashore
Yesterday we spent the morning at Turtle Mound and Eldora two delightful places in the Canaveral National Seashore that are great for seeing plants and butterflies. The first thing that we saw was a Common Ground Dove, neither botanical nor a butterfly, but nice none-the-less. This Phaeon Crescent was basking in the morning sun. Abbot’sContinue reading “Canaveral National Seashore”
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
We spent yesterday at the wildlife drive of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina. It’s always a wonderful place to visit. The small parking area at the start is always a nice place to begin our adventure here. This huge live oak is truly an introduction to the south. Our first large sulphurContinue reading “Savannah National Wildlife Refuge”
