Friday, April 01, 2005, Circle B Bar
Got started just after 9 this morn. The weather was warm and clear with rain expected late evening. I walked straight in today did not turn on the trail. Photo'ed a Red-bellied Woodpecker just after I had crossed the main trail. Saw some small birds flying over, but could not tell what they were, Larger that Tree Swallows, but similar. Mosquitos were out and I had to douse with repellent. Nats were also bad. Photo'ed a red and yellow flower. Got to the marsh and photo'ed a Little Blue Heron. Tried to walk along the canal to the trail, but it was wet and had to detour into the woods several times. Made it out where the horse trail crosses the oak hammock trail. Photo'e a yellow flower with bugs on it. A Great Blue Heron and several Little Egrets were on the trail at the far side of the marsh. I photo'ed them and crossed the marsh. A hawk was sitting in the nest just south of the bridge. I photo'ed it and then crossed the bridge and walked to the west road. Saw a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting in a tree and was about of photo it when a plane flew low overhead and it flew off to a tree beside the road. I got several photos of it in the tree. An Osprey flew over with a fish in it's claws. It landed in a tree beside the trail and near the bridge. I walked back and photo'ed it. Went back and started walking the west road. Saw a Soft-shell Turtle in a rut of the road. it did not move. Must have been laying eggs. Got several photos and then I walked around it. Saw a Red-shoulder Hawk sitting on the edge of a nest in a pine tree. It appeared to be feeding something inside the nest. Photo'ed it. It flew to a nearby tree with the food and started eating. Got some more photos. Continued walking the west road and photo'ed a Mockingbird in a tree and one on a rail at a bridge. Also photo'ed a Meadowlark. Photo'ed a blue waterflower in a creek and then walked out. This was a very long walk and a very hot one. There is no shade on this route. I was a bit tuckered when I got back to the car. ........................ Herman

Monday, April 04, 2005, Circle B Bar
Arrived at Circle B about 0930 and started the walk. Just into the trees an adult Eagle flew from the oaks. Walking toward the marsh, saw a young Eagle fly from the oaks toward the marsh. Got to the marsh and saw two adult Eagles sitting in a cypress tree out in the marsh. Got several photos and one of them flew toward the lake. The other stayed in the tree while I crosssed the marsh. While crossing the marsh, photo'ed a Wood Stork, a yellow flower, a small gator and a Red-winged Blackbird. When I got to the bridge across the marsh, saw a Cardinal sitting in a tree, singing. Got a photo if it and a Great Blue Heron out in the marsh. Saw a Red-shoulder hawk standing on the edge of the nest over the trail. Got a photo it and another just as it flew. Walked on toward the lake and photo'ed a red and yellow flower and a moon flower. Also photo'e a Red Admiral Butterfly and a Great Blue Heron. Saw a Prairie Warbler, several Palm Warblers and Yellow-rump Warblers. Arrived at the lake and photo'ed several gators on the bank. A bunch of gators were in the lake and on shore. The westmost Osprey nest appeared to be vacant. Osprey were sitting on the other two nests. As I was walking out, saw two adult Eagles fly overhead. There were about six White Pelicans on the lake. Photo'ed a group of pelicans flying in circles. Cool start to the day, but it warmed up well. ............. Herman

Wednesday, April 06, 2005, Circle B Bar
Today I had an early meeting and did not get out until nearly 1030. Repaired the stakes on several of the pine trees and staked up a couple of maples. A Killdeer was flying in and out of the area. I got out the camera and got a good shot of it. Did not have time to do much more. ........................... Herman

Friday, April 08, 2005, Circle B Bar
Arrived a little after 8 this morn and started the walk. It was quite at the start. Got out to the marsh and saw an eagle in the cypress tree beside the pond next to the trail. It flew to another tree a little farther out. Got a few photos of it. and then it flew to the south. Photo'ed a turte's head above the water in the pond, a Little Blue Heron, a Moorhen, a rabbit, a Sparrow, a Red-winged Blackbird, a bunch of Great Egrets and a Great Blue Heron. Observed the hawk nest over the trail beside the Bannana Creek canal, but saw no activity. Walked across the bridge to the west road and down to the other Hawk nest. Sat in my chair a spell while watching the nest. Saw two fluffy white chicks in the nest. An adult Red-shoulder Hawk flew to the nest and fed the chicks. Got some photos. Walked back to the first nest and photo'ed a Black Vulture in a tree and a Red-winged Blackbird along the way. Could see a chick in the nest. Photo'ed a Pine Warbler and then walked out. My legs hurt today and did not feel like walking much. .................. Herman

Saturday, April 09, 2005, Circle B Bar, Earthday
Today was a big event at Circle B Bar. The Environmental Lands folks wanted to show off the site and they did. I did a photo display and had many visitors during the day. About 3000 people visited the site and all went well. ........ Herman

Monday, April 11, 2005, Circle B Bar
Got a very late start today about 1245. Weather was nice. Walked in and was overtaken by a couple. Walked and talked with them to just past the horse trail when we saw a Fox Squirrel on an oak tree. It was about six feet up on the trunk and it was eating bark. It did not run and we were only about ten feet away. I took photos of it. The other couple walked on. I continued on toward the lake. Saw a young Eagle fly into a tree and eat something that it had carried. Took a few photo's. It was large. got to the dock and sat a spell on the bench. Very little activity this afternoon. Walked around the lake and Banana Creek Canal. Photo'ed a hawk way out in the marsh, and an Anhinga. Also photo'ed a Turkey Vulture that landed in a tree beside the canal. Got to the hawk nest near the bridge and did not see any thing in it. Crossed the bridge and walked to the nest on the west road. Saw two chicks in the nest. Got a few photos. Walked back to the first nest and could see two chicks in it also. When I started across the marsh, I saw a six foot gator laying across the trail about half way across. It slid into the water as I started across. Stopped and sat a spell on the bench across the marsh, then walked on in to the car. Very quite today, though I met several family groups walking today. ............................... Herman

Friday, April 15, 2004, Circle B Bar
Today I did a quick drive on the west road. Checked the hawk nest and saw no activity. Saw a couple of Black-neck Stilts on a pond. Then met with a friend and we walked a site owned by Audubon. It is located east of Lakeland. We surveyed it for future development. ........................ Herman

Saturday, April 16, 2005, Fort DeSoto
Did a field trip with Audubon today. Visited Fort DeSoto near St Petersburg. Stopped at a pond and saw a Pied-billed Grebe nest with about three chicks and a Black-crowned Night Heron. Went on to Fort DeSoto and saw, near the boat ramp, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Ruddy Turnstone and Laughing Gull. . We then moved about from the beaches and a Mulberry tree. At the Mulberry tree saw Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting and Orchard Oriole. On the beach saw a Reddish Egret, Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern, and Sandpiper. Also had Vireo and Black-and-White Warbler. My legs were hurting and I did not take the entire outing. But, had a good time. First time at Fort DeSoto in about thirty years. ............. Herman

Monday, April 18, 2005, Circle B Bar
My legs were still hurting today and I decided to drive the west road. Just past the second bridge saw two Sandhill Crane with two chicks. They headed for the high grass, but I got several photos. Also photo'ed a Red-winged Blackbird and a Tri-colored Heron in this area. Drove a little futher and photo'ed a Meadowlark on a fence post. Got to the hawk nest and photo'ed the two chicks when they poped up above the nest. Mom showed up and fed them. I walked across the marsh to the hawk nest on the canal and photo'ed the chick that was flapping it's wings. Also photo'ed a small gator. Photo'ed a Common Buckeye butterfly and a couple of Viceroy butterflys. Also photo'ed a bee on a flower. Walking back to the car, I photo'ed a Red-shoulder Hawk in a tree, a Blackbird and a Coral Honeysuckle. Don't see as much from the car, but it sure helps sore legs. ........ Herman

Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Circle B Bar
Got started about 0830 and decided to walk around the north side of the marsh, so I turned west at the start of the trail. I stayed as near to the marsh as I could. Followed the ruts of the hog trappers truck most of the way. This route has many good views of the marsh from high areas. I also found an area with a bunch of passion flower vines. At the start I photo'ed a Wood Stork, Red-shouldered Hawk and Meadowlark. I passed the pine tree with the Eagle nest. it was blown over during the storms. Also photo'ed some flowers, Wood Storks and Egrets during this part of the walk. When I got to the west road, I turned south to walk the road that I drove on Monday. Got to the first bridge and photo'ed a Dove, Red-winged Blackbird and a Tri-colored Heron. Arrived at the Hawk nest and could just see the top of the head. Watched it a while then walked across the marsh to the nest on Banana Creek Canal. Photo'ed a Great Blue Heron and some Marsh Hens on the marsh. Also got a Red-shouldered Hawk in a tree. One of the chicks in this nest was looking over the edge of the nest and I got a couple of photos. Sat a spell and watched it. Walked across the marsh to the east. Photo'ed Ibis, Glossy Ibis and a small gator. Walked on out to the car. ........ Herman

Friday, April 22, 2005, Circle B Bar
Did my standard walk today. In and across the marsh. out around the lake and back to the car. Fine day for a walk, warm and low humidity. Just before getting to the trail to the marsh, saw four Sandhill Cranes in the field to the east. Took several photos and watched them a while. Walked on to the marsh and photo'ed a Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Red-winged Blackbird and Cormorant. Crossed the bridge and walked to the west road. Photo'ed a Red-bellied Woodpecker and then photo'ed it and a Pileated Woodpecker close together. Continued on to the hawk nest. The chicks were very visible. I unfolded the chair and sat a spell. Photo'ed a Palm Warbler while watching the hawks. These hawk chicks are more advanced that the chicks on the other nest. Watched an Eagle chasing an Osprey. The Osprey had a fish. The Eagle was faster, but the Hawk could turn sharper. After several minutes the Eagle gave up and the Osprey kept the fish. Walked back across the marsh and photo'ed a Red-shoulder Hawk in a tree and a Red-winged Blackbird. Could see both chicks in the nest on the canal. Sat a spell and watched them. Walked on toward the lake. An Osprey landed near the trail and I got some photos. Just before getting to the lake, saw a Softshell turtle laying eggs on the trail. Got several photos of it. Had to walk very close to pass it, but it stayed put. Two of the Osprey nests in the marsh had Osprey sitting in them, but the east one had a Crow sitting in it. Continued on and photo'ed a Great Blue Heron on the lake shore. Rested a bit at the dock and then walked toward the car. Nearing the parking area, I saw a Fox Squirrel on the trail. I took several photos while it stayed on the trail in front of me for about a hundred feet. Overall a quite day at Circle B., but a good walk. ..................... Herman

Friday, April 29, 2005, Circle B Bar
Started today about 0830 and a friend walked with me. Weather was nice, clear and warm, but dry. It was a bit quite today. Got out to the start of the marsh before seeing any birds. Had a Red-bellied Woodpecker in a tree and then two more landed in the same tree. Also, a Pileated Woodpecker landed in a tree a bit futher away. In the marsh pond there were several Glossy Ibis, and a Great Blue Heron. We got across the marsh and talked with a lady doing Geo-cashing. There were some Marsh Hens, Glossy Ibis and Great Blue Heron in the marsh across the bridge. The Red-winged Blackbirds were starting to get active. At the hawk nest, an adult was sitting on the edge and it stayed for several minutes. One chick was visible with the adult. The other chick was looking over the other side of the nest. We walked over to the west road and to the other hawk nest. The adult was sitting in the nest and both chicks were visible. The adult was feeding one of the chicks. A second adult flew into the nest, but stayed on the back side. We took numerous photos of both nests. I had a noon appointment and it was getting late so we crossed back over to the marsh. Photo'ed a Red-winged Blackbird on the way to the bridge. We encountered a five foot gator while crossing the marsh. It did not want to get off the trail. We got some photos of it and then it slide into the water. Got back to the car just in time for me to get to my appointment. Good walk and got some good photos. ......... Herman