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Traveling in the South – Staying on a cattle ranch

Before heading north, back to Michigan we spent a couple of days on a cattle ranch at the Florida-Alabama border. We had no Internet so couldn’t post anything. This place was wonderful. The ranch/farm was some 300 acres, which we had access to. This was our cabin, which was quite comfortable. and had all theContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Staying on a cattle ranch”

Traveling in the South – packing to leave Dauphin Island

It’s a busy morning as we are getting ready to head slightly north where for two days we will have no internet service. So here are a few drawings of mostly birds from the trip. Winter Wren and Bald Cyprus – typically how the trip starts, and sometimes ends. Usually these two bright warblers (HoodedContinue reading “Traveling in the South – packing to leave Dauphin Island”

Traveling in the South – Dauphin Island plants and birds

Finding interesting plants, especially fragrant ones is always fun. This is wisteria, an non-native vining shrub. The flowers are attractive and hava an amazing scent. This is red buckeye, and native shrub with attractive flowers that are scentless. Candyroot is a pretty little flower, less that 3-4 inches at the tallest. Being on the GulfContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Dauphin Island plants and birds”

Traveling in the South – Another day at Dauphin Island

Susan set up for moths the other night and we had some fun photographing them in the morning. The moth on the left is a gray-banded zale. The moth on the right is a southern chocolate angle. This photo doesnt do justice to the hebrew, which is best observed from the back straight on. LiveContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Another day at Dauphin Island”

Traveling in the South – Dauphin Island

We’ve been on Dauphin Island for a couple of days and the birds are few and far between, with the exception of Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warblers. Several auditory highlights were a King Rail at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and Clapper Rails at the old pier. One thing that is amazing here is how big some ofContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Dauphin Island”

Traveling in the South – getting to Dauphin Island

No matter how hard I try my days start early. We were staying in Saraland, just north of Mobile less than two hours from our destination on Dauphin Island. We had breakfast at the motel around 6:30 AM and were packed and ready to go by eight. Since we would be way too early toContinue reading “Traveling in the South – getting to Dauphin Island”

Traveling in the south – almost to Alabama

On our way to Alabama we stopped at the Blackwater State Forest visiting several sites that had the potential for interesting plants and birds. The dominant warbler of the day was Pine Warbler while the most common woodpecker that we saw was Red-Headed Woodpecker. Blue corporal dragonflies were quite common, especially near the wetlands. MischievousContinue reading “Traveling in the south – almost to Alabama”

Traveling in the South – Alligator Lake and Florida Caverns

At Tom’s suggestion we stopped at Alligator Lake Park on our way west in Florida. It was an excellent suggestion. We walked the Canal Trail and were rewarded with hundreds of warblers which were primarily Myrtle and Palm Warblers but also included Orange-crowned, Northern Parula and Black-and-White Warbler. We found this Polistes wasp, along withContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Alligator Lake and Florida Caverns”

Traveling in the South – Withlacoochee State Game Area

Visiting our friends Tom and Kathi in Dunnellon, Florida is always fun. Yesterday our daily adventure started in the dark at the Withlacoochee State Game Area. Our first birds were Chuck-wills-widow, Bachman’s Sparrow and Bobwhite. These were soon followed with Red-headed Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker then Red-cockaded Woodpecker. All of these were in the darkContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Withlacoochee State Game Area”