3/02/2009 ~ Corkscrew Swamp Photo Gallery by Yvonne Merriam at pbase.com

3/02/2009 ~ Corkscrew Swamp

While the wind was still blowing strongly, at least the sun made an appearance on this Monday. After visiting the north end of our island, we then traveled south on Rt. 41, the Tamiami Trail all the way to Bonita Springs to visit family. Just after crossing the bridge into Punta Gorda I noticed three enormous white birds with legs and neck extended flying from the gulf toward the northeast, further inland. They flew over our car and I looked up from underneath expecting to see the tell-tale black trailing wing feathers indicative of wood storks. How thrilled was I to instead see only black primaries on these all-white birds, with a darkening only on the very face itself! And they were enormous!!! Flying over our car on the Tamiami in Punta Gorda was no less than three WHOOPING CRANES!!!

The afternoon we spent at the wonderful Audubon Center at Corkscrew Swamp where we tallied many more lifers, including the gorgeous male Painted Bunting, the enigmatic Swallow-tailed Kite, and even my very first wild Florida 'gator!

My Life Painted Bunting
Feeding Painted Bunting Male
My Life Gulf Fritillary
Blue-headed Vireo

My Life Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Juvenal Plumaged Black-crowned Night Heron
Coolest Raptor in the Sky
Orchard Orbweaver

Hardwood Hammock
Broadleaf Arrowhead Blossom
The Ibis Tree
Bromeliad

Pork Ribs for Breakfast
Windblown Royalty
Windy Osprey
Nestmate

Blustery Manasota Morning

comment | share

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name

Name Email

help private comment

Ginny 21-Mar-2009 03:11
Congratulations on your Painted Bunting lifer, Vonnie! I am determined to see one someday.

Dave Hawkins 19-Mar-2009 03:24
One of our absolute FAVORITE places to bird! Nice captures on all. V
Laurie Hawkins

click on thumbnails for full image

My Life Painted Bunting	Feeding Painted Bunting Male	My Life Gulf Fritillary	Blue-headed Vireo
My Life Yellow-crowned Night Heron	Juvenal Plumaged Black-crowned Night Heron	Coolest Raptor in the Sky	Orchard Orbweaver
Hardwood Hammock	Broadleaf Arrowhead Blossom	The Ibis Tree	Bromeliad
Pork Ribs for Breakfast	Windblown Royalty	Windy Osprey	Nestmate
Blustery Manasota Morning

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Ginny		21-Mar-2009 03:11
Congratulations on your Painted Bunting lifer, Vonnie! I am determined to see one someday.

Dave Hawkins		19-Mar-2009 03:24
One of our absolute FAVORITE places to bird! Nice captures on all. V Laurie Hawkins