Sharp Shinned Hawk,Enchanting Black Bellied Whistling Ducklings & Black Crowned Night Herons on Nest
- Karen Marts
- Jul 24, 2019
- 4 min read
Good morning everyone!
As you all know, Freedom the Parrot and I have had an amazing summer thus far! We had a blast in Columbia, South Carolina, at the Riverbanks Zoo, Memorial Day weekend. Be sure to look up the videos of the exotic birds, lions, bears, and of course the Rainbow Lorikeets!
We then travelled to Sanford, Florida, where I filmed 2 full days at Central Florida Zoo. We visited Blue and Gold Macaws, Scarlet Macaws, and Cockatiels at The Black Hammock, located on Lake Jesup. It is supposedly the most heavily populated alligator lake in the United States, with 10,000 alligators! Would you believe Captain Steve announced before the airboat ride that we would probably not see any alligators, because it was too hot outdoors! The temperature, coupled with the heat index, had reached 111 degrees! We saw only 2 gators in the lake, but unbelievable large Bald Cypress Trees, along the swampy edge. Bird Island featured hundreds of nesting Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, and other wading birds. Oddly enough, grazing cattle walked through 12 inch high water around the lake, which had heavy vegetation that grows seasonally.
Next was Lakeland, Florida, where we saw wild Sandhill Cranes walking around the highways. It was extremely hot when I ventured to Circle B Bar Reserve, and saw a Limpkin, a type of light brown bird, similar to a White Ibis. There was a beautiful lake on one side of the trail, and a swamp on the opposite side. Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Common Moorhens hung out in the 1,200 acre park. I did not get to witness the 4,000 alligator population, as it was nesting season there, and 3 trails were blocked off.
Our final destination was Sarasota, Florida, where were fortunate to experience nesting Black Skimmers and Least Terns on Lido Key Beach. We had previously emailed a blog, but it can also be found on my new website, ifilmwildlife.com. See the links below. Freedom and I spent 2 hours, 7-9 pm, watching precious baby and juvenile Black Skimmers walking around a protected area of the beach. When the sun began to set, all the parents took off into the air. It was magical!
Our first night in Sarasota, we visited a mangrove forest, and saw a baby raccoon in a tree! The mangrove trees were mesmerizing, with tangled limbs, and thousands of roots in the wet soil.
Look Into Eyes of Remarkable Raccoon Juvenile with Wiry Brown & White Tail Up in Mangrove Forest Tree! Ken Thompson Park Preserve Habitat Restoration Project! Sarasota, Florida
Freedom the Parrot Lucky to Visit 3 Blue & Gold Macaws & 2 Scarlet Macaws at The Black Hammock
Sarasota Jungle Garden was fabulous, especially the parrot show! I was so happy to see a variety of Macaws, Amazons, African Greys, and Cockatoos in the show, and relaxing in the parrot gardens. The entire park had hundreds of native and imported palm trees species, and it was a feast for my eyes. I then visited Big Cat Habitat to see bears, lions, tigers, and hybrid cats such as the Liger. These animals have been rescued, are well-trained, and are ambassadors.
Returning home, I have spent many hours at Ibis Pond and Starr Pond at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. Here are the results of a 3 hour visit, which includes a first time view of a Sharp Shinned Hawk, and 3 baby Black Bellied Whistling Ducks.
I am not sure if the Black Bellied Whistling Ducks have ever reproduced at Starr Pond, as I just noticed that species for the first time, in 2018.
First Sighting Ever of Sharp Shinned Hawk at Starr Pond! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Surprised to See SHARP SHINNED HAWK INTENTLY WATCHING BIRDS at Starr Pond! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Enchanting to Watch Cream &n Brown Black Bellied Whistling Ducklings While Parents Act as Sentinels at Starr Pond! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
3 Black Bellied Whistling Ducks with Grey Beaks Protected by Parents at Starr Pond! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON MOM ON NEST WITH MATE STANDING GUARD AT STARR POND! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
FABULOUS BRIGHT ORANGE CHEST ON SINGING PAINTED BUNTING ON TELEPHONE WIRE at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
WHITE IBIS CHICKS TRY TO GET FOOD FROM ADULT THEN TOTAL CHAOS FROM ALLIGATOR IN STARR POND! Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Of course I’m extremely pleased to be volunteering for my 8th year for The Sea Pines Bluebird Project. Right now I have 3 nest boxes full of Eastern Bluebirds. I’ve only had one Flying Squirrel this summer, but have seen a few deer, and several rabbits!
Brown Eyes, Brown Nose Sniffing Air & Fluffy Fur on Chest of Rabbit by Nest Box E9 Sea Pines Bluebird Project! Hilton Head Island, SC
Stunning Red Bellied Woodpecker EXTRACTS BUGS WITH RED TONGUE by Nest Box E1 Sea Pines Bluebird Project! Hilton Head Island, SC
PINK ORANGE BEAK & LEMON YELLOW LORES BY EYES ON JUVENILE GREEN HERON by Nest Box E2 Sea Pines Bluebird Project! Hilton Head Island, SC
Have a great summer,
Karen Marts and Freedom the Parrot
Hilton Head Island, SC
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