Long Drive - Quest for Reddish Egret & Key Deer

I should mention that the motel was fairly nice -- comfy beds, but weird logistics for the Coffee maker -- had to put it on the floor to reach the plug?

We redesigned the morning to find a Reddish Egret and Key Deer, so our first stop was Boca Chica Road (where one had been reported for the last three days) and we went on the way in, so we were familiar.

Great Crested Flycatcher

Gray Kingbird

Little Blue Heron -- this bird got us excited until we looked closel

Cattle Egret

Short-billed Dowitcher

Willet

So no luck at Boca Chica, Next Stop a viewing platform at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge. Turns out that is private, but a guy who works there sent us down the road a bit and said we'd have the same view. It was then I realized it was a White morph Reddish Egret that had been reported there. A new morph for me too. I spotted it after about 5 minutes of looking in a very sticky (not in the traditional sense -- but lots of sticks -- which makes birding challenging). Cindy got good looks at it and later we were able to send our birding friends from the boat over to see it.

Reddish Egret (White morph)

Off to No-name Key where the Key Deer roam. They are pretty small!

Then we had lunch at a cafe in Key Largo that is owned by my friend Cindy Whitman's friend "The Frenchman" he went back to France last week, so I missed him but had a good meal. Now we are doing a bee-line for Wakodahatchee Wetlands -- not for a particular bird, but because it is a southern Florida icon for birders. Lots of birds close up and babies!

Great Egret Chicks

Tricolored Heron watching nest

Tricolor Heron Nest

Anhinga feeding chick (not eating baby)

Anhinga Chick

Glossy Ibis on nest

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

It was about 4:30 when we arrived and boy was it hot -- we only made it about 1/3 around the boardwalk. Checked into the hotel and ready for bed in a few hours.

Another day of birding with Larry tomorrow...