6Rain was in the forecast, so I didn't even plan my birding day until the morning. I decided to chase some rare Florida birds that I could get from the car. I didn't make it to everything I had planned. No matter.
First up was a Ross's Goose in a neighborhood in Cocoa. On my second circle of the neighborhood, this man signaled for me to come over and I thought Uh oh -- I'm a stalker. He could not have been nice -- asked me if I was looking for the Goose. Told me she sleeps under his palm tree in the back yard and invited me to come into the back. There was another birder there already and we had a nice chat about my plans for the day (she was very helpful). I took lots of photos of Ross's Goose -- here are a few and some friends.
Ross's Goose
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Muscovy Duck & Ducklings
Took the long drive to Osceloa County to visit a road where a Whooping Crane has been seen for the past few weeks on and off. LOTS of Sandhill Cranes, Eastern Meadowlarks & American Kestrel. Finally got a good photo of some Loggerhead Shrikes.
Sandhill Crane
Eastern Meadowlark
American Kestrel
Loggerhead Shrike
The surprise of the morning was a Crested Caracara (Life bird) perched in a tree.
I had just about given up on the Whooping Crane, when I stopped to get more water out of the back. I got back in the car and there it was. Lifer #2
Whooping Crane (the white one)
Had one more stop which was a little over one hour away. It look longer and I still had a two hour drive to my next hotel. The last 10 miles was a dirt road a very wet dirt road -- so slow going. However, it was well worth the drive. In fact, I had my first Caracara at Joe Overstreet Road but I saw FIVE more on the drive to the dirt road and one more on that road -- close & cooperative.
Crested Caracara
I hadn't seen a Limpkin in several days
This little soggy bird bid me goodbye as I headed back down the dirt road. Turns out it's a Western Kingbird -- a Rare Florida bird and another lifer for me today -- that puts me at 20 New Life Birds on the trip. (The Whooping Crane & Western Kingbird were not on my original list because they are unexpected in Florida). So much fun!
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