Not many birds but only needed one!!

Our next stop on our adventure was Six Mile Slough - as we were getting out of the car to go to the boardwalk we noticed an owl box placed in a tree, the usual jokes about empty owl boxes,were made but of course we looked up anyway and once more the reason cameras are worn around birders necks was enforced!! The cutest screech owl was looking sleepily down at us, another first, two stops two owls!! What a trip and we haven't even made it to the beach yet.posted by cindy pics by lauren and cindy

Sleepy Screech Owl - a First

River Otters Mom enjoying a turtle

More River Otters 

Wild Boar Hiding in the brush very loud and big best pics are Lauren's

Still hiding you can see his ear, eye and snot in this one

It is beautiful there

The Two Old Birders sneak away. Part 1

The Two old birders got away this weekend to the west coast of Fl. .  Away from family and pets. This happens twice a year if we are lucky. Knowing spring migration is coming though, we thought we might get lucky. First blog will be about Corkscrew Swamp. The nature center told us of a Barred Owl family. Hoping to be lucky enough to see them, we searched the entire boardwalk. About to give up we  went back to where they had been nesting, and a guide told us they hadn't been seen today. Then out of nowhere he spotted an adult in a tree. These are the best pictures we could get, since he was camera shy and  had his back to us. We didn't mind another one off our list. Yahoo!       Posted by Lauren and Cindy

Two old Birders are here !

Old familiar face. 

Mirror -Mirror on the wall

Barred Owl   YEA

Carolina Wren , first for Florida

B

Black and White Warbler

Where do you think your going?

Can you see me?

How they've grown!

Barbara and I went to the Loxahatchee wildlife preserve to see the owlets and, my how big they are getting. Soon they will be fledging for sure , they are climbing and fluttering. Still in the same tree but no sign of the nest. No sign of the parents at first then soon one flew in with some food, but to another tree. Also seen there were Blue wing teals, mottled, coots, a lot of Cardinals Giant egret Great blue heron, little blue, Catbird, Red bellied woodpecker. Armadillo, no deer or bobcats today. Guess I cant have it all.                     Posted by Lauren 

Adult at dusk

Same adult top of tree calling out

Owlet getting their colors 

The two together

This one was quite active, climbing and  head bobbing.  

Looks like their talking

Couldn't get enough of watching them.

Adult made a appearance  guessing it was the male , he flew to the tree he I always see him in.

Same Owl

Note has some prey next to him

He pulled it from the tree's limb  elbow

He later flew to the tree behind the owlets and started de furring it.

The Pileated's were heard all around the preserve .

Still observing the owls

Since I wanted to show my "better" half the owlets at Loxahatchee I foolishly missed the the bobcats etc
that my best friend and fellow blogger was able to see, but it was still a beautiful morning and the owlets are getting bigger and the male owl was busy showing off! We also found out that we are able to take our boat . there and launch - so hopefully before summer really sets in we will have some great blogs. Posted by Cindy

There are still 2 owlets, but not much of a nest

Better shot of the baby - sure is getting bigger - fledgling soon?

An unusual flower on the marsh trail

Now adventure complete for me without at least one heron pic - liked the background here

Pappa owl showing off his wing span - spotted him as we were leaving

Beautiful back view - shaking his tail feathers

Finally showed his "wise old owl" face without moss hanging in front 

Last of all I can't seem to leave the Everglades without a gator pic - he was a big one for sure!!

Finally Bobcats

Ever have one of those days when you set out to find a particular bird or lets say bobcat, and it not looking good then all of the sudden, you see a group of photographers and you know something has there interest. Leaving Green Cay ,Barbara and I noticed that, stopping to see what it was all about and not seeing anything. Going on our way then I heard bobcat. We both looked at each other like, jackpot. Thanks to the kindness of the guys there taking pics we were able to get a few of our own. Then off to Lox nature refuge to show Barbara the owls. She backs the truck up and says a deer. Out  in a flash snapping pics. Deer left, and I hear whats that, its a bobcat no two. WOW is all I can say to describe today. Plus a first for her a otter and pics of pileated woodpeckers. And  for me a American Bittern picture and bobcats. Life is good......posted by Lauren    

River otter

American Bittern

River Otter

Bobcat at Green Cay

same cat

Rocky at Green Cay

Deer at Lox.  note to the left in grass, white dot

Hmm what could it be?

The deer wasn't quit sure what to do

finally left in the same direction of the bobcat

awe it must be lonely

Baby Great Horned Owl

Pileated woodpeckers

not lonely has a friend.

Spring Break

Went to Ga. for Broward College's Spring break, the weather in mountains was quite a variety, everything from snow to beautiful sunny days! We were taught March- in like a lion out like a lamb! We had both lions and lambs in a week! The weather doesn't seem to affect the birds I am happy to say, even saw one new bird for me.  Posted by Cindy

Peking Duck

Mallard

Robin in my backyard

Hermit Thrush

Yellow bellied sapsucker

Not Ga. without these geese

Elvis is not dead .....LOL