Everglades National Park, Day 7 – Thursday – February 14, 2013

Day 7, Thursday – Eco Pond (The Day of the Roseate Spoonbill) and a Bike Ride


Nancy headed to Eco Pond before sunrise this morning.  She said she wanted to be there in time to see the Roseate Spoonbills.  Everyday she has gone, she sees them leave. So today she headed out while it was still dark in hope of seeing them before they fly away.

She passed by this Moon Vine, which blooms at night.

 

Told you it was still dark;o))

 

 

When she arrived at Eco Pond, it was just beginning to get light and there were NO birds;o((

 

 

After a bit of a wait, the first two birds to arrive were Roseate Spoonbills:o))

 

Then all the WHITE birds began flying in…

 

White Pelicans, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Wood Storks!!!

 

 

An unexpected bonus…

seeing a GORGEOUS sunrise from Eco Pond:o))

 

 

A walk around pond revealed many other birds as well.

 

Osprey, Young Red-shouldered Hawk

Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-necked Stilt, White Ibis

       

 

But the Roseate Spoonbill was the Star of this Day!!

 

All too soon they began to leave.

 

 

One Spoonbill hung around and did a little fishing with the Wood Storks…

 

Looks like Line Dancing ;o))

 

It wasn’t long before the Wood Storks finished breakfast and took off.

 

 

 

Before he knew it, this Spoonbill was the last bird in the pond!!

 

 

Guess the party is over… time to make an exit !!

 

Best day ever at Eco Pond :o))

 

 

 

Later on this beautiful day, we decided to take a bike ride.

 

We headed over toward the Marina.

 There we found mom and dad Osprey switching places in the nest! 

 

 

In the next picture,

you can barely see the Osprey nest in the upper left and a large crocodile in the center!!

 

 

 

Once we had our fill of watching this huge Crocodile, we headed out Flamingo Road.

 

 

There is only one road from Flamingo Campground to Florida City about 40 miles.

 

Since most of those miles are in the Everglades, there is very little traffic:o))

 

 

We left the marina and headed up the road toward the bridge over Buttonwood Canal.

 

 

Further up the road, we reached Marsak Pond another great birder spot:o)

 

I think Nancy found out where the Spoonbills flew;o)

 

 

We road another mile or so up the road to check out Coot Bay Pond.

 

The map shows a trail through Coot Bay Pond to Coot Bay Lake!!

 

This looks like a great place to launch the Sea Eagle:o))

 

Yep, I think I know where we will be headed tomorrow!!!