Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Noticed this area the other day and was able to go spend a couple of hours birding it this morning. The area was covered with Red-winged Blackbirds. Not five minutes after I arrived 2 flew in with another bird. I was able to locate the oddball and it was a Least Bittern! I was able to watch for a few minutes before it descended into the grass beyond sight. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate it with my camera.



Walked back from the observation platform on a short trail and saw these two.





Yellow Warblers were in abundance.



This one was back-lit, but I was able to edit it enough to make him visible.



I need to bring my kayak back here.



A few damsel and dragonflies were about.



Finally, an Eastern Kingbird.

Spring is Here

Noticed an Eastern Wood-Peewee in the tree out back during dinner tonight. That led me outside after I cleaned up, to sit on the front porch and stroll about the yard. Several firsts for the year, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Common Nighthawk and Chipping Sparrow.

The highlight of the evening was an Eastern Towhee that perched up on a tree nearby and sang and sang.

E. G. Simmons County Park

Spent a couple of hours at this nice little park. This has to be the best disguise I've ever seen for anyone--sure looks like a Loggerhead Shrike to me.



One of the nice things about Florida, is you can find butterflies year-round most generally.



Great Horned Owls continue to use Osprey platforms to nest on.



Ruddy Turnstones have been practically the only shorebird I've seen this trip.



Do I need another photo of one of these guys? Probably not, but they are so photogenic.



A little odd that one of my best shots of the day was of a woodpecker--at a beach. You can't tell from the photo but she was on a tree right at the water's edge.

North Beach, Fort DeSoto, Florida

Went to Fort DeSoto, one of my favorite birding places in the world this afternoon. I was amazed at the total lack of sandpipers and plovers. Even the long-legged waders were not in their typical numbers. I have no explanation for their absence.

I was able to get some good photos regardless, and it was a beautiful sunny and 74, so I can't complain too much.

Cockroach Bay

Unappealing as it sounds, Cockroach Bay, just south of Tampa, Florida, is a good birding spot. It is listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail. It gets its name from the small crabs that are common in the bay at low tide.

There are a few fresh-water ponds along this stretch of road and they attract a good variety of birds. I saw 33 species this afternoon in a couple of hours. They have recently added a shallow pond near the start of the road on the south that was quite productive for waterfowl (I added 2 new state birds) and also had Roseate Spoonbills. This area is consistent for Glossy Ibis in numbers as well. It is still a little early in the year, but this is also a good spot for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers.

Here's some highlights of what I was able to get with my camera.