Location Name: Lake Louisa State Park

Day Rating: B

Special Encounters: Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo

Report:

The Park is quiet at this time of the year, but there are a lot of non migrant songbirds around – morning/evening.
Saw the above and then some, heard: Eastern Meadowlark, Brown Trasher, Eastern Towhee and a lot more.
Many Dragonflies around as well, but slim pickings what Butterflies is concerned – their populations suffered severely
from the frost.

The water at Lake Luisa is as high as I have ever seen – so that’s a good thing, too.

submitted by: Klaus

Location Name: Fort de Soto Park

Day Rating: B

Special Encounters: A gorgeous place – and while the migrant songbirds didn’t show, we were treated by a lot of shorebirds. Whimbrel, Reddish Egret White Morph, Reddish Egret, Marbled Godwit, Shortbilled Dowitcher, Dunlin, Yellow Crowned Night Heron, Magnificent Frigatebird, American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer and so much more. Friday was outstanding – Saturday not so much, since too many people were coming in.

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submitted by: Klaus

P.S.: It would have been a straight “A” Rating, if it were not for some of the recreational morons, that still are allowed in the park.
I’m not talking about sunbathers etc., but those who take Jetski’s into the lagoons, race along the beach or generally just give a damn, if they scare wildlife.

Location Name: Gatorland

Day Rating: A

Special Encounters: Just breathtaking activity. Babies to see from: Double Crested Cormorant, Tri-colored Heron, Great Egret, Woodstork, Common Moorhen, Green Heron, Limpkin, Snowy Egret and soon Cattle Egret. Alligator mating season is in full swing, too!

submitted by: Klaus

The annual Nature Fest will take place!

The day’s activities and events will include guided nature walks for all ages, including discovery treks and butterfly walks, “Trucking the Trails”, beginning and moderate birding, and photographing nature.  Also included at Nature Fest are a variety of children’s activities as well as live bat and bird of prey presentations.  Refreshments will also be available for purchase at Nature Fest.

Pre-event adult-only (16 year-old age minimum) 2-hour guided bird and photographing nature walks will begin at 8:00am.  Both walks require pre-registration.  Space is limited, so please call 352-394-3969 to register (registration is on a first-call, first served basis and will close at 5:00pm on Friday, May 14, 2010).

Guided walks for all ages will be held throughout the day.  Sign-up will begin at 10:00am the day of the event.  Times for walks, talks, and rides are as follows (times and events subject to change):

10:15    Discovery Trek
10:20    Beginner Birding
10:25    Moderate Birding
10:30    Butterflies (ADA accessible)
10:40    Photographing Nature
11:00    “Truck the Trail”
11:30    Bat Chat
12:00    Discovery Trek
12:10    Beginner Birding
12:15    Moderate Birding
12:20    Butterflies (ADA accessible)
12:25    Photographing Nature
1:00    Bat Chat

Admission to Nature Fest is included in the regular park admission fee of $5 per vehicle (up to 8 people per vehicle, with each additional person incurring a fee of $2).  CLICK HERE for directions to Lake Louisa State Park.

More info on the LLSP Website.

Location Name: Viera Wetlands

Day Rating: A

Special Encounters: Bald Eagle, Least Bitterns,Cattle Egrets Snowies,GBH babies, Florida Softshell Turtles,Green Herons, and many more

Report:

This place never fails, Got some Great least Bittern shot as well as all kinds of other birds, I would recomend going to Viera Wetlands if you have a chance. Scott

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submitted by: scotthelfrichphotography