Archive for the ‘FO Info’ Category

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This Saturdays Flickr Meetup at Gatorland was a great outing with the highest turnout so far.
The latest count stood at 44 Flicksters! Pretty cool.

Gatorland and it’s Mike Godwin went out of their way to accommodate our Flickr Group!
Starting with reduced entrance fees, Mike even started firing up the Grill and serves Hamburgers
and Hot Dogs on the House! That’s what I call service!

The weather could not have been better – not a cloud in the sky – the first day of spring truly delivered.

While the Rookery was not yet in full swing ( a result of the coldest winter in Florida’s history) the
place was buzzing with activity!

From small to large birds, from chicks to adults a lot of action was to be seen all over the rookery
and Mike added some excitement with Gator and Bird feeding action and closed the day with yet
another Grill session!

So many thanks for all that did attend but especially to all the work our excellent Host Mike did!
Kudos!

The Flickr Florida Outdoors Group is having a Meetup at Gatorland.
Date: Saturday, March 20th.
By then the Bird Rookery will be in full swing!
We hope you all can make it. Mike Godwin of Gatorland is offering special pricing and lunch for all who attend!
Thanks Mike.

Now anyone can register – though registrations are being moderated.
Anyone can visit and view the site – however to comment or to use the forum you need to be registered.

Date and Time: 1-2-10, 6 am – 2 pm

Location Name: Circle B Bar Reserve

Day Rating: A

Special Encounters: If there were a higher rating than A – Circle B Bar Reserve would certainly get it these days. Unbelievably packed with wildlife. Special encounters: Bobcat (Donnie Thompson), Peregrine Falcon Bald Eagles, Lesser Yellowleg, White Faced Ibis

Report:
The Audubon American White Pelican count is now at 7,000. It’s an unforgettable view to see that many soaring over your head. Add to it hundreds of Cormorants, Woodstorks, Many Terns.
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submitted by: Klaus Peter

Date and Time: 12-26-09, 12-30-09

Location Name: Myakka River State Park

Day Rating: B

Special Encounters: Enjoyed seeing numerous limpkins along banks of river south of Upper Myakka Lake.

Report:
We camped at Big Flats Campground for four nights. Found the campground to be very crowded and noisy, but this wasn’t too much of a problem as our plans were to hike and bike some trails and get out in the kayaks. The first day, we biked most of the park and I saw my first barred owl. The tourists seemed to be most impressed with the great number of feral pigs in the park. A ranger told us that the wading birds were MIA due to high water levels, but that kayaking would be better than usual. We kayaked on day two, encountering a large number of very big alligators – rather intimidating when they patrol around in front of the yaks! We saw many osprey, red-shouldered hawks, wood storks, little blue heron, great blue heron, belted kingfishers, snowy egret, anhinga, cormorants, black vultures (huge numbers), turkey vultures, green heron, cattle egret, a number of limpkins (my favorites), one solitary roseate spoon bill and a pair of lesser yellowlegs. Also, raccoons and white-tailed deer. There is a “birdwalk” but not much action on the days we visited. The last full day we spent hiking some of the VERY beautiful trails in the park – but, very few birds – just a woodpecker or two. A good place to spend multiple days as the park is very large. There is also a canopy walk between two towers which is fun for kids, and the 75 foot tower has great all-around views. Overall, it was a great trip, but it was a bit too touristy and I wish there had been more birds!
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submitted by: catmca