Emeralda Marsh III
10
Categories: Photo-Journal •July 22, 2008
Off we go to the third leg of this hike. Basically everything I showed so far, was shot during the first 1-2 miles. The actual Marsh however starts after 3 miles. On my 1st visit I was there , when all the coots you have up north now - wintered in Florida. And there were a lot of them. Conservatively estimated at least 5000-6000, most likely however they numbered in the 5 digit range. Now in the midst of summer not a single American Coot 
in sight. That doesn’t mean that it was dead as a doornail. Nope - plenty of birds around. From Cardinals, to warblers, Ospreys and Hawks, Snowy Egret , Cattle Egret , Great White Egret , Great Blue Heron , Little Blue Heron , Tri-colored Heron , Hundreds of Common Moorhen , Black necked Stilts, Glossy Ibis , White Ibis . Black Crowned Night Heron and surprise for me - a lifer! The American Bittern . Turns out it’s a juvenile Green Heron. Bummer for me - but hey! Next time! With that covered I wasn’t able too see too much up close. But in flight I saw quite a bit - especially the Glossy Ibis and the Black necked Stilt, which I think, didn’t like me being relatively close to it’s nesting site. It circled me 4 or 5 times on the way up and 3 times on my way back. I made a collage of several inflight shots into one, to show this somewhat odd looking bird. Equally amazing was the sight of a huge swarm of Snowy Egrets looking for another place to hang out. Look for yourself and have fun doing it!, that I first took for a Green Heron , but on closer examination it showed that I hit paydirt. It’s somewhat confusing since they are pretty similar. I "caught" so I believe a youngster, not yet it it’s final plumage. Funny enough - young bitterns resemble the green Heron more, whereas young Green Herons resemble the Adult Bittern
Emeralda Marsh
Immature Green Heron
Immature Green Heron
Black Necked Stilts Montage
Black Necked Stilts Montage
Flock of Birds
Flock of Birds
Flock of Birds
Flock of Birds
Glossy Ibis and Gallinule
Glossy Ibis in flight
Red Winged Blackbird
Red Winged Blackbird
Young Tri-colored Heron
Female Boat Tailed Grackle in flight
Turkey Vulture
6:40 am on July 22nd, 2008
Great - you got your bittern - and so much more!
Visit birdladys last blog post..96 in the shade! on http://www.wingsnthings07.blogspot.com
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7:08 am on July 22nd, 2008
Klaus: I would have like to just walk with you on these great captures, wait I just did. Thanks for sharing my friend.
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10:43 am on July 22nd, 2008
Some great pictures! I would have mistaken the bittern for a green heron. I like the titles “flock of birds.” I find that amusing since you put it there. I love the tri-colored heron.
Visit Louises last blog post..Sunrise. Sunrise. And Some Awards. on http://pottedfrog.wordpress.com
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3:32 pm on July 22nd, 2008
WoW! What a hike! I love that there were soooo many in the area you went! Cool!
Visit Lisa’s Chaoss last blog post..Why are they called Cliff Swallows when they live under bridges? on http://lisaschaos.com
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10:40 pm on July 22nd, 2008
I wish I were there - you saw so many birds that I’d love to photograph. I think I may try to get to Florida this winter !
Visit Bird Girls last blog post..Indigo blue…I love you… on http://www.mybirdtales.blogspot.com
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1:09 pm on July 23rd, 2008
That would have been so exciting for me to see so many things to photograph. That bittern was an odd looking bird. It’s neck looks way too long for it’s body. LOL! Great job!
Visit 2sweetnsaxys last blog post..Jazz Fest West on http://eyesmindheart.blogspot.com
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10:15 pm on July 23rd, 2008
Particularly enjoyed your montages, especially the Black-necked Stilts
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4:58 pm on July 27th, 2008
That aerial montage of the BNST is beyond words. One of my all time favorites here.
Visit TRs last blog post..Ten Thousand Waves on http://www.adventuresoftimtim.blogspot.com
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3:43 pm on November 3rd, 2008
Your bittern is more likely an immature green heron, IMHO. Coloration, behavior (exposed on a wire) and pose look to me to be an immature green heron. Google immature green heron and maybe you’ll agree.
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Klaus
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November 3rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
@David Gancarz:
Thanks David. You are right on both counts. Should go and correct it., haven’t gotten to it though.
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