We arrived right on time. I was expecting a line of vehicles since it was a holiday but I think we only counted 5 other cars during our entire trip. Weird. Also, kind of weird was the last time I came out it was one Osprey after another on the poles. Today they were replaced by Red-shouldered Hawks. Our first was calling like crazy as the Sun rose behind us.
A bit farther ahead we found another Red-shouldered Hawk. That thing resembling an emerging alien is the birds talon as it holds its leg close to itself.
A surprise awaited us on the first curve. A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron posed in the morning light just perfectly.
Last month I hardly saw many Great Blue Herons. Today they were spaced every 500 yards!
Our first American Alligator was lurking near the first heron.
We finally discovered one Osprey enjoying breakfast on the telephone poles but it was the only one of the day.
More American Alligators prowled the basin behind the pump house.
I almost missed the Bald Eagle sitting on the far side of the basin before we headed around the next bend.
All of last month's young Common Gallinules are reaching the teenage look.
I failed to get a shot of the numerous Green Herons flying by in July but we had one try to hide in plain sight next to the road today.
A young Red-shouldered Hawk was perched atop some bushes but was winding what the noise was below it. It was a Limpkin which disappeared into the shadows before a photo could be had.
There were a lot of Yellow and Prairie Warblers flying around feeding but this is the best I could capture as they were moving super fast in search of insects.
I was anxious to get to the spot where all of the swallows were congregated on my previous visit. As we approached I thought I was spotting a Life Bird up on the wires. I have seen a couple of Bank Swallows (right) but never got a shot. To the left is a fluffy Barn Swallow told by the forked tail feathers.
The bird I was after I spotted through the windshield and managed to get one shot as the clouds moved in the cloak the scene. My first ever Cliff Swallow located center-right.
A Shiny Blackbird has been here for a while but I forgot to try for a photo last time.
Among the swallows, I found a single Purple Martin in the group.
Trying to be a little artsy with a silhouette of Swallows against the clouds.
One of Carolyn's favorite birds, a Glossy Ibis, perches along the roadside.
Yet another Red-shouldered Hawk was at the end of the line sending us on our way home.
Not a bad drive on a quiet holiday. We will definitely be back. Maybe a little sleeping in in between, though.
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