Summer Road-trip: South Dakota

With a long weekend ahead we packed up the car and hit to the road north to South Dakota. We traveled the winding hills of green prairie for 5 hours and then we were at camp.  At first light we drove the 5 minutes up to Mount Rushmore.  Surprisingly, we enjoyed the Presidents and the sculptor did a wonderful job of using the natural rock design in creating this one of a kind memorial.

After that we hit the road to explore the Black Hills.  Our only life bird of the trip came next after breakfast where we were given 2 beautiful Red Crossbills.  Then we kept on driving the scenic highways that flow in and out of Custer State Park.

Little Baba Ghanoush had her first experience swimming - the water was frightfully cold but she did well.

The Needles Highways proved to be everything it was hyped up to be.  We went through single lane tunnels, switchbacked by beautiful pinnacles, and enjoyed the scenery.

Some of the tunnels were exceptionally tight but that just added to the mystery.  After a fun day of hiking, driving, and sightseeing we went back to camp and enjoyed a relaxing evening by Grizzly Creek.

Notable birds of Grizzly Creek Campground: Black-headed Grosbeak, Pine Siskins, Violet-green Swallows, Western Tanager, Common Nighthawk, and an Empid flycatcher that gave me quite a show.  I believe it's a Western Wood-Pewee after inspection, please let me know in the comments if you think my little one may be of another variety. 

Canoeing at Collier Seminole State Park

For my birthday this year I invited some close friends to go camping at Collier Seminole State Park in the western portion of the Everglades, near Naples.  We woke up Saturday to a beautiful, sunny day and rented canoes so we could paddle out to Mud Bay.  

The Rangers warned us of a recent issue with the Catfish.  Something was causing them to turn white, bleed around the lips, and die a very slow death.  Hundreds were found near the canoe launch and all looked very sick.

While the Catfish suffered the Vultures flourished.  I have never seen so many Vultures line a Mangrove bank as this one.  Dead catfish were everywhere and so were the Turkey and Black Vultures.  They were literally kettles overhead, vultures on the ground, and vultures in the trees.  I am sure whatever is killing the Catfish will not harm the vultures and those iron-clad stomachs they possess.

Once pass the canoe launch and down the Mangroves a bit, we were relieved to smell clean air and enjoy the paddle without dead fish abounding.

Along the way we spotted Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, Spotted Sandpipers, and White Pelicans.  We also found Mangrove Crabs climbing on the root systems that lined the canoe tail.

After about 1.5 hours of paddling we found Mud Bay as the tide was coming in.  We watched as the flats became smaller and smaller.  The large flocks of peeps huddled together.  Waders were scattered about and one lone American Coot was seen.  It was a peaceful oasis with no one around but our little group.

After birding, wading around in the mud, and eating some snacks, we called it a day and fought the tide to make it back out to the main channel.

Our 3 hour paddle was the perfect way to unwind from the world and forget about everything.  No cell phones, no computers, no work...just a nice paddle with friends to pass the time.  Once back the group had a nice lunch back at the campground then we wandered back to the waterfront.

The girls all gave it a go at fishing while Andy and I took to the nature trail in search of a few more birds.  We found a lovely one-mile boardwalk loop that ended at a marsh.

The nature trail yielded one Northern Mockingbird.  The highlight of the trail was the nice pink lichen that covered many of the trees.

We ended the afternoon watching the sunset over the marsh and the vultures find trees to roost.  That night we cooked chili at the campfire and played cards.  It was a very nice way to escape into the wild of Florida and celebrate another birthday.

Job Offers and Good News

October 1st marks Palm Beach County's new fiscal year 2012.  The three County nature center were on the chopping block this year and there was a real possibility that not only would we close but all the staff would be laid off.  I spent the summer with my pink slip in hand and hoping that things would turn in our favor.  Finally, the Commissioners voted to keep our jobs and a big sigh of relief was felt.  Fortunately, the next week I was offered a job interview with Oleta River State Park.  I have decided to turn down the opportunity since it would be a decrease in pay and a downsize in job but honestly, it was very relieving to see that even if I had lost my job, there was a possibility of new things on the horizon.  

Thank you all, for writing your local politicians, for making calls, for supporting Green Cay during these tough times, and for always believing.  You have made my last few months much more bearable.  I could not have done it without people like you, my volunteers, and my co-workers.

Because of all our supporters I can continue to offer great programs, get kids outdoors, and help people make connections in their everyday life to the outside world.  I am honored to keep working for the Green Cay Nature Center.

Kayaking with John at John MacArthur State Park

It's funny how when we get older that old sibling rivalries tend to die and instead you end up being good friends.  I like to think that my brother John Charles and I are friends, even if we have different political views.  I won't fault him completely for that, agree to disagree kind of thing.  So it was with great pleasure that he had the chance to come visit me this summer.  It's been too long since he's made the trip and I have lived in 3 different houses since his last time here.  I tried to line up a really fun weekend and we started by a little kayaking at John MacArthur State Park.

The weather seemed daunting but it held off from raining and gave us a beautiful day with blue skies and puffy white clouds.  We kayaked around the mangroves out into the intercoastal.  As we passed under a bridge we cooled in the darkness and then as we paddled towards some small islands we saw a huge school of fish running and jumping out of the water.  It was a nice sight and John headed straight for the fish.  They dove right under his kayak. 

We found our own private beach and took a dip in the murky waters.  We watched boats pass by and dolphins swim in the distance.  In one direction we had mangroves and nature and in the other direction we had the skyline near West Palm Beach.  It was a mixing of worlds. 

Tomorrow I'll have a post up about the second half of his visit.  What do you think we did at night in the Everglades? Come back to find out! 

John MacArthur State Park

Went for a swim at the beach this weekend. Dozens of Sandwich Terms soared by and a few Brown Pelicans. The highlight was watching newly arrived Sanderlings chasing each other near the surf.  Emily and I are getting good use of my new Florida State Parks pass!

Bill Baggs State Park Adventures

The spot of my La Sagra's sighting at Bill Baggs State Park.

Finally the Bill Baggs State Park La Sagra's Flycatcher is mine! While my mom was in town visiting I decided that we should spend a day in Miami. Yes, it's true, partially this idea came to mind because I wanted to once again give the flycatcher a shot on Biscayne Key. Last winter when the La Sagra's was being seen I went three times and never could catch a glimpse. This year I tried once but I was becoming weary with tracking it down. It's not a life bird but certainly it's an ABA bird that I should have by now.

So we arrived early at Bill Baggs and I sent my mom to the beach while I hit the nature trail. I found a nice Prairie Warbler at eye level along the way and some cardinals. With the T-intersection in sight I heard a noise behind me and two flycatchers dove off the snag I had just passed and went into a thick branch of a Strangler Fig. I ran back on the trail and followed the shadowed movements. The La Sagra's called and then one bird flew across the trail. I wasn't sure which bird was left and I stood trying to decide if I should run after the departed bird or if I should stay with the one left. At that moment the La Sagra's Flycatcher came into view and I got crippling looks. It hopped around the tree and called intermittedly. I watched it for 15 minutes or so before it also decided to retreat to the depths of the forest. I was estastic to say the least and even though it wasn't a life bird, it gave me such joy to finally nail this bird down in the U.S.


After my bird chase I joined my mom for some swimming and beach time. The water was crisp but perfect on this hot day. We enjoyed a lunch of empanadas and vegan cookies while we soaked in the sun.

After our bodies had enough of the sun we toured around the lighthouse. I was amazed at how empty the park was on this day and we really only ran into a few other people while walking the trails. It was a nice reprieve from the busy weekends that I had spent at Bill Baggs previously.

On our way back to Miami we stopped on Virginia Key to take in the Miami skyline. I did a little birding and had a few Ruddy Turnstones, some Rock Pigeons, and a flock of Laughing Gulls.

With a little more effort I found a Red-breasted Merganser and a Lesser Black-backed Gull to round out the day. It was the perfect end to our visit in Miami and I was happy to have some quality time with my mom. The La Sagra's was just the icing on the cake.

St. Augustine, Camping, & Street Painting Fest

Before Emily and I embark to Colorado this week I should catch you up to speed on the current camping trips. A couple of weeks back we had the pleasure of camping at Anastasia State Park. I've always wanted to check this place out and we weren't disappointed. Unfortunately we could only camp one night but it was definitely worth the drive. We woke up Saturday morning to the sound of the ocean and a nice shaded campsite (something that is mandatory in a good Florida campground!)

On our drive out we found Emily's lifer Gopher Tortoise. We watched it crawl towards the safety of its burrow. Once it was in close range the Gopher Tortoise ran (yes, turtles can run) and dashed into the darkness of it's home. I was a little late snapping the photo but at least you can see the tell-tale signs of the burrow entrance.

A Woodstork watched our departure of Anastasia Island. Check out those white sand dunes in the distance. One of things I miss about North Florida/South Georgia is the huge relic dunes that are still intact. You won't find dunes like that in my area of Palm Beach. After leaving the park we headed to downtown St. Augustine.

Emily and I cruised the shops and took in the sights and sounds of this charming historic town. We hit up the local winery for the last tour of the day. The San Sebastian Winery has a great building just outside of the dowtown and the wine tour is free. You walk among the casks and have really great guides to tune you into the subtle differences of each one. We picked up a couple of bottles before heading back to Lake Worth.

After a relaxing night we woke up to a full day at the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival. Some of my favorities are below. If you haven't been to this event put it in your calendars for next year. They shut off both downtown streets and give it over to the artists.

Skywatch Friday: Julia Pfiefer State Park

The sky was slightly hazy around Big Sur but the sun was bright, the rocky coastline was stunning, and this waterfall at Julia Pfiefer State Park topped it all off. I had an excellent time taking photos with Geraldine and hiking around the area. We even found an amazing campsite just on the southern trail of this overlook. I can only imagine it's windy and cold at night but the sunset views must be gorgeous. Make sure to check out other Skywatch Friday posts today.

Next up on the California adventure: BIG trees.