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Wednesday, February 9, 2005
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Greater Flamingos - Snake Bight, Florida Bay
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This afternoon I explored the portion of Florida Bay known as Snake Bight in my canoe. I witnessed several thousand shorebirds and skimmers fighting for the last remaining bits of dry land as the bay was flooded by the incoming tide. As it became later I decided to press on and explore another section of the bay. On my way there I noticed a flock of six flamingos flying low and eventually saw them land in the water a good distance off, probably a half mile or more. I immediately began heading their way as hard and as fast as I could. At one point I checked behind me and saw another flock, this time with 31 birds, land in the water where I had just been and in the direction I had to go to get home. I manuevered myself between this flock and the point in the sky where the setting sun would drop below the clouds for a few minutes before it dropped below the horizon. By wading through the water and mud I was able to approach this flock close enough to photograph them as they fed. It was a truly surreal experience viewing birds from about 50 yards that I normally only see in zoos or on TV. I have heard about this flock of birds for years now and while I saw them at a great distance the other day it was amazing to be able to spend a few minutes this evening with them up close. For more of my response to seeing these birds and more photographs please see my upcoming newsletter that will be sent this Sunday.
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Interesting Sightings
Besides the Flamingos, I did see a Peregrine Falcon chase a flock of shorebirds but it was not successful in catching any. The vast numbers of shorebirds was truly spectacular.
Other Interesting Observations:
As I was coming home after dark I kept passing these creatures that I believe were jellyfish. They would glow bright green in the water before dissapating after a few seconds. I never got a good look at them, so I don't know what they were but they were absolutely gorgeous to see. I couldn't help but draw a parallel between these marine creatures and the lightning bugs that filled the trees along the bay's edge.
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