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

UPDATE!!!!
My photographer friend, Jason Flowers, just wrote to me to give me a heads up since he knows I frequent Lake Woodruff.
This past weekend he went into the dark, thick, wooded trail to the left shortly after you leave the parking area,
to photo some mushrooms and had a huge, black bear cross his path not 10 feet away! He, Jason, retreated immediately.
He did not get a shot of it due to the adrenaline fueled retreat   Just FYI.

Submitted by Kittyseye

Date and Time: 12/28/2009, 7am

Location Name: Circle B Bar Reserve

Day Rating: A

Special Encounters:

Report:
Fantastic Day at Circle B Bar Reserve, 1000’s of White Pelican now amoung other birds such as Black and White Warblers, Spoonbills,Gnatcatchers,Juvenile Eagles. Quite a place to visit right now, birds and reptiles are everywhere.I would recomend it to anyone, take the whole family, Great place for a outing. Can’t wait to get back there.
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submitted by: scotthelfrichphotography

Date and Time: 12/24/09, 4pm

Location Name: Fakahatchee & surrounding area

Day Rating:

Special Encounters: Black bear

Report:
Spent the day in area after a friend of mine said that he saw a panther & 2 young ones with her, while @ Fakahatchee on Tues, 12/22/09. While I did not see a panther, we did see a black bear crossing the road on US 29 just a few miles north of the turnoff to Fakahatchee on Thurs, 12/24/09. Just prior to dark, we also saw several white tailed deer along the road as well. At Fakahatchee, we also saw a variety of raptors, lots of small baby alligators (and full sized ones), and snakes. At the boardwalk just southwest of there, we saw the bald eagle in the nest, lots of pileated and red bellied woodpeckers, and a variety of predators birds. Along US 41 just east of Naples, we saw lots of migratory birds – white pelicans, wood storks, a variety of egrets, and roseate spoonbills.
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submitted by: momma D

Date and Time: 23-12-09, 3-5pm

Location Name: Gatorland

Day Rating: C

Special Encounters: Black Crowned Night Heron

Report:
Still quiet, but Birds are slowly starting to move in. Great Egrets are beginning to show mating plumage.
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submitted by: John Wise