Whiskeyman
Senior Member
And is this the same Snowy Egret as before, or another one, further down the trail?
I couldn't tell...
WM
I couldn't tell...
WM
A Trip to Circle B Bar Reserve (By Myself)
- Thread starter Whiskeyman
- Start date
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
A bit further down the trail, near the dock and observation deck, I was able to photograph this Catbird.
It was gone almost immediately after this shot.
I then turned my attention to a Cardinal and chased it for about five minutes. I felt like a paparazzi chasing a celebrity, as this bird didn't seem to like like the camera at all.
A couple of shots was all he gave me, and I was on my way.
WM
It was gone almost immediately after this shot.
I then turned my attention to a Cardinal and chased it for about five minutes. I felt like a paparazzi chasing a celebrity, as this bird didn't seem to like like the camera at all.
A couple of shots was all he gave me, and I was on my way.
WM
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
This small, about five feet long, gator obviously has no idea of the events on the other side of the reserve, otherwise there is no way it would be as relaxed as this one is. Or maybe this one is a female and isn't threatened by the bulls.
WM
WM
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
And then came the second, and last, Blue Iris I saw all day. This one was in the shade, which led to more saturated colors.
A plamp and stake would have been very helpful here.
WM
A plamp and stake would have been very helpful here.
WM
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
I walked by this GBH and it didn't move a bit. It was totally intent on something at the edge of the lake, most likely a fish. There are some exotic species of fish (Pterygoplichthys, or sucker mouth catfish) in a lot of the lakes in Florida. They burrow into the banks of lakes, and have become a favorite of many wading birds. That is what I believe had this bird's attention.
WM
WM
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
I left the banks of Lake Hancock and headed back to the Discovery Center, hoping to see more song birds. This is the only fauna I saw on my way on the Shady Oaks trail.
Unfortunately, it was the last subject I photographed on my journey around the Circle B Bar Reserve that day. I had hopes of seeing Indigo and/or Painted Buntings, but as I sat around the area outside the Discovery Center, I did not see any birds other than crows. After a few minutes, I put my gear into the car, and headed out of the reserve.
As soon as I got out of the reserve and on the main road, I saw two adult Sandhill Cranes with two colts off of the side of the road. I thought about stopping, but the traffic was just bad enough to make me think better of it. So just know, that there are still crane adults and colts to be seen and photographed in the area.
Overall, I enjoyed my trip through the CBB, and there is still enough to keep me interested in going back. The best thing I took with me was the folding tri-legged chair; it provided a way to easily get lower for taking photos, as well as being able to get off of my feet during the trip. I hope to have a converted jogging stroller the next time I visit, so that I don't have to lug all of my gear in my arms or on my back, which got tiresome. I also will try to have a cooler in my car with cold drinks in them. My water bottle was downright hot, and was unpalatable when I returned to my vehicle.
I hope you've enjoyed my photos and narrative of my visit to the Circle B Bar Reserve. Thanks for letting me share it with you.
WM
Unfortunately, it was the last subject I photographed on my journey around the Circle B Bar Reserve that day. I had hopes of seeing Indigo and/or Painted Buntings, but as I sat around the area outside the Discovery Center, I did not see any birds other than crows. After a few minutes, I put my gear into the car, and headed out of the reserve.
As soon as I got out of the reserve and on the main road, I saw two adult Sandhill Cranes with two colts off of the side of the road. I thought about stopping, but the traffic was just bad enough to make me think better of it. So just know, that there are still crane adults and colts to be seen and photographed in the area.
Overall, I enjoyed my trip through the CBB, and there is still enough to keep me interested in going back. The best thing I took with me was the folding tri-legged chair; it provided a way to easily get lower for taking photos, as well as being able to get off of my feet during the trip. I hope to have a converted jogging stroller the next time I visit, so that I don't have to lug all of my gear in my arms or on my back, which got tiresome. I also will try to have a cooler in my car with cold drinks in them. My water bottle was downright hot, and was unpalatable when I returned to my vehicle.
I hope you've enjoyed my photos and narrative of my visit to the Circle B Bar Reserve. Thanks for letting me share it with you.
WM
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Whiskeyman
Senior Member
Marilynne, I'm glad I got to go at all. While I was there, I met several Nikon shooters, and told them about this site. Maybe we'll see them around here soon. (Which reminds me, I need to get some nikonites.com cards; hopefully there will be a special on them soon.) So while I wasn't out there with my nikonites friends, I wasn't alone. (Except for the last portion of the walk.)
Next year, I should have an assistant trained so that I'm not the only one in the office that does a certain task, so I should be good to go for next February. If they tell me I can't have vacation again, I may come down with employment eyesight deficiency, or in other words, I may not be able to see me going to work!!
I also want to get back down your way and visit Wako again, as well as Green Cay for the first time. Yesterday, I met a retired Palm Beach Gardens Police Officer, and when I mentioned Wako, he said that the crowds there have gotten too much for his liking and that he doesn't enjoy the place any more. I hope that it's not that bad.
WM
Next year, I should have an assistant trained so that I'm not the only one in the office that does a certain task, so I should be good to go for next February. If they tell me I can't have vacation again, I may come down with employment eyesight deficiency, or in other words, I may not be able to see me going to work!!
I also want to get back down your way and visit Wako again, as well as Green Cay for the first time. Yesterday, I met a retired Palm Beach Gardens Police Officer, and when I mentioned Wako, he said that the crowds there have gotten too much for his liking and that he doesn't enjoy the place any more. I hope that it's not that bad.
WM
It's been really bad since Christmas Wayne. In the past, it would die down after Christmas break. Some one has been pushing it on social media - it's FREE, FREE, FREE!! Some vehicles have had a wait time of about an hour. We've witnessed a few verbal altercations. There's talk about making more parking, but if they do that, there will be more people. I don't have a problem since I go by bicycle. When the rack is full, I chain up to the fence.
Now that the weather is getting hotter, there are fewer vehicles. Plus a lot of snow birds are heading north or wherever they came from.
Let me know if and when you plan on heading down, so I can plan on being available.
Gotta go, nasty bolt of lightning struck nearby. Shutting down!
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
Thank you, Marilynne. I'm headed to Gainesville tomorrow for lunch with my youngest daughter, and maybe also a movie, before I head back home tomorrow evening. When I manage to make it down there, I'll absolutely let you know about it. If nothing else, to meet you and Chris for lunch, and possibly a walk around Wako. It's a bit late this year for this, but I've wanted to take a 4-6 day trip around the central and south part of the state and visit one or two sites for photos each day. I've got to decide which parks/areas are workable and when is the best time to visit them, then to work out an itenerary. I may try to do this in conjunction with our planned trip to Lakeland next year.
Stay safe from the lightning.
Wayne
Whiskeyman
Senior Member
Marilynne, I was there almost six hours, and could have spent five times that much, even though the water levels were very high. Winding Bird Way was closed that afternoon, and from what I've read online, it might be closed through June, or even later.
Wayne
Wayne