St. Mark's, Shell Point & Bald Point, Florida

 

This is one of the many dikes to hike at St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge.  Each day we cover several miles walking into different habitats.

So far, we have encountered over 150 species of birds.  Bird populations are already changing as some are starting their jounrey north.

This is Tower Pond, during gulf high tide the shorebirds gather inland.

Two Marbled Godwits are in the front of this mass of Dunlins, Dowitchers, and Sandpipers

American Avocets still in winter plumage

Rusty Blackbird male in favorite swamp habitat

Rusty Blackbird female

Double-crested Cormorants occupy the "public" viewing deck

Osprey at Shell Point on dry dock sailboat mast

Hey!  What you looking at?

Common Loon, agression display?

Preening Loon, rolls on side

Cicada exuvia cast ( shed skin)

Snowy Egret

St. Mark's River by Newport Campground

 

Red-shouldered Hawk Pair at our campground

Tiptoeing through the water, drink? or prey?

Adult Red-shouldered Hawk

Went into St. Mark's very early looking for Bobcat.

Found one, going 35 miles per hour into the brush.

Sora below viewing deck at Headquarter's Pond

Common Gallinule, check red knees and large yellow feet

River Otter with catch of the day

Make that two!

Here's number three!

Chowing down number four

And finally number five and six, All in about 15 minutes

Bald Point State Park, about 15 miles from Newport Campground

Ruddy Turnstone turning over shells

Northern Shoveler pair in good Spring colors

Lesser Scaup feeding at Lighthouse Pond

 

American Wigeon, note drake's unusual amount of white on head

Twelve foot + Alligator sunning, (counted over 25 gators this morning)

Another great day of wildlife watching at the Refuge.

Love & Prayers,

Ty & Ida Baumann