Sunday, May 01, 2005, Circle B Bar
Started today a little after 9. Walked with a couple of friends from Tallahassee. Saw a single Sandhill Crane in the ponds. It walked across the trail to the large pasture to the east. Two other Sandhills came from the area of the horse trail and joined the first one in the pasture. Arrived at the marsh and had a good variety to look at: Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Pileated Woodpecker, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Green Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Wood Stork, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Osprey flying overhead. Saw one Eagle. At the hawk nest, both chicks were visible. A hiker, I know, overtook us and pointed out a turtle that we had missed. We photo'ed a lizard, some flowers and scenes. Encountered an Osprey perched next to the trail. It posed for us for a while. Also saw another Red-bellied Woodpecker. Walked on toward the lake and photo'ed a dragonfly, some flowers, a bug, a Great Egret. Glossy Ibis and a Green Heron. Saw that the westmost Osprey nest is still empty. Got to the lake and saw many large gators. Photo'ed an Anhinga with it's wings spred. The two center Osprey nests are occupied. The eastmost nest is empty. Photo'ed some Marsh Hens, a butterfly and a Coromorant. Rested a bit at the dock and then walked out. Near the parking area, encountered the Sandhills again. My out of town friends enjoyed the walk. .................. Herman

Monday, May 02, 2005, Lakeland Highlands Scrub
Walked with my Tallahassee friends again today. Got in the Scrub about 1030 and walked to the pond. Noticed that the Osprey nest has been rebuilt and Osprey are sitting. I had not been in the scrub for a while. The trail by the pond was wet, but we got by it with damp feet. Walked on beyond the pond and took a side trail to the south. The prickly pear were in bloom. The large yellow flowers were nice. Photo'ed several flowers. Could hear Scrub Jays in the bush, but did not see any. Saw a medium size bird with a red breast (not a robin) high in a tree, could not tell what it was. Got back on the main trail and walked north. Photo'ed some more flowers and then we encountered three Scrub Jays. They stayed around us for about 10 minutes and we took many photos. Walked on and took the railroad trail. One friend said that he heard a turkey. A short way down the rainroad trail we saw a turkey run into the trail and then back into the bush. Walked on out. Once again the folks from Tallahassee liked the hike. ......... Herman

Friday, May 06, 2005, Circle B Bar
Got into Circle B a little before 0830 this morn. Drove the west road to observe the hawk nests. As I neared the first nest, saw a hawk sitting in a tree, Got some photos of it. Got to the nest and could see just one chick standing up in the nest. It is getting large. Took some photos of it. Went on to the trail across the marsh and bridge to the second nest. Enroute, photo'ed a Ibis in a tree. Saw a Black-crowned Night Heron fly from the edge of the marsh to a tree. Got several photos of it. Both chicks were in this nest. One flew to a nearby limb. Got some photos of them. Walked back to the car and photoed an Anhinga with it's wings spread. Got back to the first nest and the chick had moved to a limb above the nest. Took some more photos. Also photo'ed a yellow flower. Left this nest and drove to the pond at the west boundary. Saw five Roseate Spoonbills on the far side of the pond. Got photos in the pond and of several when they flew. Photo'ed a Meadowlark and a Great Blue Heron. At the first bridge, saw a group of Black Vulture's on what appeared to be a dead hog. Got some photos of them. As I was leaving close to 1100 some drops of rain were falling. A good day to drive the trail. ......................... Herman

Monday, May 09, 2005, Fort DeSoto
Drove over to Fort DeSoto with a friend today, We got there about 1000 and first went to the Mulberry Tree. Saw and photo'ed a Red-breasted Grosbeak as soon as we arrived. I walked around a bit, while the friend stayed near the tree. Photo'ed some Sandpipers on the beach and a female Cardinal on the water fountain. Photo'ed a Black-and-White Warbler in a tree. Photo'ed the Osprey in a nest on top of a pole and another Osprey in a nearby tree. Photo'ed some Laughing Gulls, an Ibis and an Egret. Got back to the Mulberry Tree and photo'ed a Red-eyed Vireo with mulberry juice stains on it's breast. Walked into the picnic area for lunch and saw a Dove laying in the sand with it's wings spread. Got a photo. Drove to the East Beach and took some more photos of Sandpipers. A quite day at Ft DeSoto today, but a very nice one. .................... Herman

Friday, May 13, 2005, Circle B Bar
Got started with a friend about 0830 today. Slightly overcast today. Very quite going in. Two Sandhill Cranes on the farside of the meadow to the east. Walked to the marsh. Crossing the marsh saw ducks, Glossy Ibis, Blackbirds, a couple of small gators and a Great Blue Heron. The hawk nest was empty and we walked toward the lake. Saw a Raccoon walking toward us and we waited for it. Got some photos of it. A Red-bellied Woodpecker landed on a tree nearby and we got some good photos of it. Saw some Great Egret as we neared the lake. The westmost Osprey nest is still empty and the next one appeared to be empty, but two Osprey were nearby. The next one has Osprey in it. and the east nest is still empty. Rested a bit at the west bench and at the east bench. Just a few gators in the lake. Some Egret in the marsh. Several Great Blue Herons flew from the lakeside as we approached. Saw an Eagle and some Osprey harrassing each other. Walked out via the oak hammock. Photo'ed some blue flowers. The Sandhill's were in the pond near the entry. We photoed them and walked on out. ...................... Herman

Wednesday, May 18, 2005, Northeast side of Lake Parker, Lakeland
A friend had advised of a large bird nesting on the mudflats here. I arrived about 1030 and parked just south of the power plant. I walked the shore and observed many Red-winged Blackbirds and Crow. Five or Six Osprey were flying around. There are several nests nearby. Photo'ed one of them with a fish. Also photoed some white and some yellow flowers. Photo'ed a Tri-color Heron and a Black-necked Stilt. Photo'ed some more flowers and then I saw the first Black-necked Stilt nest. One was sitting and the other was nearby. Got some photos of the Stilt's nest. One photo the Stilt is off the nest and I could see two large eggs. They were light brown with irregular spots. Photo'ed the Tri-color with a fish. Got a photo of a Great Blue Heron and a Moorhen with two chicks. Walked on to the south and photo'ed some Red-winged Blackbirds and an immature Moorhen. Then I saw the second Black-necked Stilt nest with two Stilts. Got more photos. Walked on and saw another Moorhen with two chicks. When I got close to the car, I photo'ed an insect that looked like a dragonfly, but was different. This was a good walk, with a lot to see in a small area. ....................... Herman