Central Ohio NatureBlack-necked Stilt
Posted on March 23, 2020
The winters in central Ohio are usually not harsh but their dreariness more than makes up for it. Now, being in a position where we don’t have to, we see little reason to endure the gray dampness so we look to sunnier and warmer climes. Florida is usually our destination and the two months spent in the various state parks end up being a true celebration of nature.
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Myakka River
Whether on foot or in the canoe most days are filled with anticipation at what we might experience or see. Some days are more rewarding than others but we’re never disappointed. One bird that never fails to enchant us with it’s whimsical behavior is the Black-necked Stilt. We’ve found them to be fairly common in the fresh water areas we frequent, particularly as we travel further south in Florida. The pictures below were taken at Myakka River SP walking along the river or from the canoe.
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With all that’s going on in the world right now it was nice to have an opportunity to look back at pictures of such a beautiful bird. It’s hoped that, after a brief visit, followers of this blog will leave with a smile.
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We go through our lives with the illusion of control when all we can ever do is celebrate the moment.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Nature In Myakka River State Park
Posted on March 20, 2019
After two months in sunnier climes with limited internet access we are now back home. While still an improvement over Ohio, this winter’s trek south to Florida’s Myakka River State Park in an effort to escape the cold found us greeted by windy cool and sometimes wet weather. The wind precluded using the canoe as a means to gain access to photo opportunities away from the main park roads but we were still able to enjoy hiking even though it was often on partially flooded trails.
My wife walks under a Live Oak covered with Resurrection Ferns on one of the dryer tails.
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Every year is different. Last year the arrival of a hurricane not long before our arrival resulted in the park being completely flooded. During our stay the water receded leaving pools of stranded fish for wading birds to gorge themselves on. This occurrence offered a unique opportunity to observe and photograph various wading birds and nothing like it was in the offing this year. The consolation was that the Black Necked Stilt, a favorite bird, was more common than last year. In addition to this year’s critter pics more effort was made to capture the landscape so those shots have been made part of the mix.
The Myakka River
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As in the past Black Necked Stilts continue to charm us.
Black Necked Stilt
What ever they’re doing it’s always fascinating, (Donna).
Stilt with Lesser Yellowlegs
Walking.
Flying, (Donna).
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Flooded hammock.
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Other small wading birds were seen but American Avocets eluded us.
Least Sandpipers along the shore of Upper Myakka Lake.
Killdeer along the shore of Upper Myakka Lake.
Lesser Yellowlegs along the shore of Upper Myakka Lake, (Donna).
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The Myakka River.
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While certainly not uncommon, we always enjoy seeing the Great and Snowy Egrets. Whiter than white, a slightly overcast day seems to work best for photographing these birds.
Great Egret
Close-up.
Snowy Egret
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Standing water in low-lying areas gives rise to shadows and reflections.
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Black Crowned Night and Great Blue Herons are seen in Ohio but not the petite Tri-colored Heron.
Tri-colored Heron.
Great Blue Heron with lunch along the shore of Upper Myakka Lake.
Great Blue Heron.
Little Blue Heron hunting, (Donna).
A Black Crowned Heron peeks through the branches, (Donna).
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Upper Lake Myakka.
Flooded habitat.
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Roseate Spoonbills are right up there with Black Necked Stilts when it comes to interesting birds to observe.
Roseate Spoonbill preening.
Spoonbills.
My what a big mouth you have, (Donna).
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Florida hammock landscape.
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An Alligator Limpkin stare down.
The Alligator and Limpkin were so close together it’s hard to believe they weren’t aware of each other.
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Myakka River landscape.
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We were fortunate to see several Wood Storks.
A Wood Stork forages for food along the shore of Upper Myakka Lake.
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A canopy of branches.
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Palm Warblers were everywhere as were Black Vultures. The Barred Owl and the small Common Ground Dove were a rarer treat.
Palm Warbler.
Black Vultures were everywhere.
Scarcely a moment went by without hearing the call of a Red Shouldered Hawk.
This Barred Owl seemed so obvious once we spotted it but they’re not so easy to find.
Common Ground Dove.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is common in Florida but perhaps not quite as common there as in Ohio.
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Shadows betray this Live Oaks identity.
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Flowers, fungi, and air plants:
A lovely small flower is found looking something like a small wild rose
Another small but very noticeable flower.
There were fungi but not in the variety seen in Ohio, (Donna).
Other than as a location to live, air plants ask nothing of the tree they reside in.
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A fallen tree finds home in the flooded hammock
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Other creatures:
Our friend Teresa was surprised by the opportunity to get this quick shot of a Bobcat as it crossed the trail.
We are always surprised by the number of turtles given the number of gators.
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This years visit to the park was only six days but we managed to see quite a bit for such a short time. Because of the colder than normal weather there weren’t as many alligators in evidence and while birds were seen the higher than normal water levels and more places to forage meant they were disbursed. We’re planning a return visit next year so who knows what the future holds as every year offers different mix of weather and resultant water levels.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Central Ohio Nature 