Going to be doing a Christmas Bird Count at Sawgrass this year so I wanted to find it before I actually had to be there and Dad and I headed out for a quick tour. 400 acres are tucked between I-275 and the surrounding development. One inside the preserve you find a large Maple swamp criss-crossed with some really nice boardwalks. Bet this place is humming during peak migration times.
Today, however, it was fairly quiet as it is around much of the state. Not much moving anywhere I have been of late. We did the rounds of the boardwalk and saw a sign for an observation deck. I can't resist observations decks so we added a few more minutes to our trip.
Once atop the tower, I glanced around and something caught my eye out in the distance. Kestrel? Seemed a bit bigger. Sharp-shinned Hawk? Seemed smaller. Binoculars up...Merlin!
Years ago I found my first Merlin (maybe only, now that I think about it) on Honeymoon Island. It was foggy and the picture was nothing to write home about but I knew I had one. Nice to have one a bit more clear even though my auto focus suddenly stopped working.
Plus, this bird was pretty far out there so I am glad to at least have some OK identification shots.
When we first got to the tower, a couple was just leaving and they asked if we had seen the alligators back at one of the overlooks. Nope. We did have to pass them all again on the way out so we rechecked and off to the side of one overlook, indeed, a baby alligator!
Up on the bank was another.
And below that one, hiding behind some foliage, another!
But where was Momma? Ah, hiding behind them all but keeping a very close watch.
On the opposite side of the overlook was another young gator. This one was larger and probably born last year.
Another month from now and I should have a lengthy post from this spot again, birds willing. Excellent park.
