Florida again....

Another amazing Florida nature time. I love the wildlife and birds that call that state home. We spent the weekend on Lovers Key at Fort Myers Beach. We were there for a 80th Birthday party for a beloved Aunt of my hubbies. We had two wonderful hikes through the Mangroves in Lovers Key Park.

The first Day we caught two Manatees doing what we think was a courtship swim. They were swimming very fast up and down the mangrove, rolling over each other and lots of splashing, just amazing...something I'm sure not too many other people have ever seen. We also found a Yellow Rat Snake.

The next day we set out in the rain, and after having spoken to a Park attendant I found out how to find the Gopher tortoises that are all over the park. It took only a short time to locate one! I saw a habitat that looked good, and sure enough...there was one right on top of his den entrance. We were able to get a good look at him, amazed at the shell adaptations he has that enable him to live in burrows underground. Birds abound in the sky, trees and on the beach. One notable sighting was a Peregrine Falcon near the beach, I had seen him the night before land on the condo where we were staying and spend the night. I assume he was migrating. At the end of our hike on Sunday we walked along the beach and were delighted to come upon a family of dolphins swimming near shore, we were able to watch them for quite a long time. The final bridge before the condo was over an estuary that was teaming with fish. A large flock of Willets hung out in the shallows near a Reddish Egret that was doing his wild dance across the water and catching small fish.

That night after we check out and started for our overnight near the airport, we ate dinner in a restaurant that had the most amazing expansive view of the gulf of Mexico. It was still cloudy and raining a little, but that didn't stop the nature show we were able to witness as we dined and discussed our short but wonderful Florida adventure. A Osprey fished and caught two right in front of us. Many Brown Pelicans were also joined with terns all fishing directly in front of us. Nature is always there for the taking.

We arrived home today....WOW...Spring has hit the North East! I hope to get out tomorrow, despite having a horrible head cold. I don't want to miss the beauty of this week.

Bird and Animal List Fl 4/16-4/19
Manatee
Dolphin
Wild Boar

Yellow Rat Snake
Gopher Tortoise

Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red Shouldered Hawk
Magnificent Frigit Bird
Brown Pelican
Great Egret
GB Heron
Reddish Egret
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Catbird
Mocking Bird
Boat Tailed Grackle
Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Laughing Gull
Tern
Palm Warbler
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Downy Woodpecker