A Last Look at Corkscrew

Barred Owl

I was able to find a lot of the birds I hoped to find in Florida while I was planning my trip.  I had read about a Barred Owl's nest at Corkscrew before arriving so this was something I wanted to see.  We found it because of the collection of people standing below.  They were discussing the absence of the "limbing" out juveniles.  We say "branching" in these parts.  But anyway they all walked off without finding the young owl.  As soon as they walked away the  epiphytic plant on the branch above shook out it's feathers.  The owl had been sitting above our heads the whole time.  I later saw the adult which I found when it began to call, a thrilling sound, but never got a good shot of it. 

Red-shouldered Hawk

Just around the corner from the Painted Buntings we spied this Red-shouldered Hawk, two actually, and a nest.  The nest was not so high off the ground, much closer than any I'd seen before.  The hawks seem unperturbed by the people on the boardwalk and went about their hunting and feeding business.

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Today is my Mom's birthday and to celebrate we can look at some of the photos I took at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary which my Mom said I absolutely could not miss.  It was a great preserve and possibly the longest boardwalk I've hiked.