Dawns bloggy blog

Thursday, March 12, 2015

A trip to Flamingo area of Everglades NP

A visit to the Flamingo area of Everglades National Park should always include a visit to Eco Pond. Early morning we found to be best.

Lots of Roseates and Black-necked Stilt

A Video of Roseates feeding in harmony….

Roseates and Black-necked Stilt

Lots of Black-necked stilt this visit…

A group of Pelican this same morning…

It was busy early in the morning…

I digiscoped a few Roseate spoonbills

We did the short stroll along the pond…

checking to see what other birds were around.

I found this lovely flower..

Any idea what it is?

It looks to me to be a type of morning glory that has yet to unfurl.

More birds as we continue our walk

Black-necked Stilt

There were many Florida whites flitting everywhere..

Stilt on the other side of the pond…resting after their morning forage.

We leave the pond and go on another search for the leucistic Turkey Vulture..

Black Vulture

The Vultures hang out in the campground searching for leftovers…or unattended foods.

Sadly we didn’t find the bird..

We then headed to the visitor center at Flamingo.

It was low tide and we were searching for Flamingos…sadly, no Flamingos either..Would have been a life bird for us.

On our way back east to our campground at Long Pine we stopped to walk around the Mangroves..

One must very careful while walking thru Mangroves…

Luckily this walk was all on board walk and had railings…

Tall enough to keep the Mangrove Monsters where they belong..

If you saw my last post we know that Jeff and I have moved to Key Largo for a few days. More on that later!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Margaretville

Margaretville…

At least it feels that way!

We left the Everglades on Monday after I was lucky enough to score a campsite on Key Largo.

Finding an RV spot in the Florida Keys this time of year is like winning the lottery. Most spaces are reserved a year in advance. The best spots go for over 100 a night.

When I found a spot for 70 a night, much more than we normally spend, but a deal for the keys…I grabbed it.

Little did I know that the end result would get us these awesome Margaretville views.

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A prefect place for Margaritas and local smoked fish dip..

This is a funky little development..

Mostly Park model type trailers that stay put.

They are decorated with lively bright colors and colorful bougainvillea.

This is a Place where renters have room for their boats..

This awesome Airstream is for sale if you are interested..

And so is this waterfront trailer..

A wonderful winter home!

Cool looking jelly fish in the boat pier area.

Its odd and lovely here at the same time.

Certainly totally different from the peace and quiet of the Everglades.

After a wonderful home grilled meal of local yellowtail snapper and veggies.

We walk to one of the benches at the end of one of the piers.

Others are gathering to watch the daylight end.

Jeff speaks with a few fisherman at the end of the pier..

And we all watch…in quiet silence..

The end of the light of today…

Friday, March 06, 2015

The Biggest Week Bloggers

I want to introduce you all to my amazing Blogger team mates for this years~

Biggest Week in American Birding.

Have you registered for the festival yet?

If not go directly to THIS post to find out how.

I suggest you register as soon as possible as many of the popular walks and talks will fill quickly.

I am very happy to be attending this year after a two year absence.

For a few years I headed the blogger team….as of last year I felt as though I could no longer do what was needed to be done from afar and left the job in the extremely capable and organized hands of fellow blogger Kim Smith.

Our job as a team is to report to you about The Biggest Week and share our experiences with you.

I must repeat…If you have never been to this festival…

YOU MUST GO!

It is very well run and organized.

The people and BIRDs are amazing.

I don’t know any place where you can get more Warbler

species during spring Migration…and view them so close up that a point

and shoot camera can reach them and big lenses are sometimes

helpless.

Check out Greg Millers post on hotspots for warbler migration here.

The Biggest Week also gives back to conservation efforts.