Nature Walks, 23 Feb 18 – Winter Boardwalks

Winter walks on the boardwalks of our local wetland preserves presents a new obstacle course, winding around the tourists and snowbirds who are down for “the season”.  Parking is at a premium especially at the smaller Wakodahatchee and one is perhaps in more close proximity to complete strangers than is totally comfortable.  Well, in life here you just have to roll with the punches and take things as they come.  Fortunately, most of the people are in a good mood watching all the activity, hustle and bustle as the mating and nesting seasons commence for the various bird and animal species who make the wetlands their adopted homes.  Adopted… as the wetlands were built and the birds arrived.  I’m not sure what arrangements were made for the alligators… That would be interesting to find out.

Here are some photos from my latest forays:

Female Anhinga

Tri-colored Heron

Blue Winged Teals

Somnolent Alligator

Cattle Egret in mating plumage

Wood Stork Rookery

Male Anhinga.

Great White Egret in mating plumage.

Cruising…

Double-crested Cormorant. Note the subtle pattern on the wings.

A patient Great Blue Heron guarding his nest. He’s surrounded by the larger Wood Storks.

Mature Male Iguana

That’s it for now, folks.  Enjoy the upcoming weekend.

Namaste,

Sunny VaCoupe

© All Rights Reserved, Elizabeth Ayres Escher, http://www.bluedragonjournal.com