Thursday March 6th
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| Wild Turkeys on Display |
Visited Myakka River State Park near Sarasota on a rather breezy day. Windy days can sometimes make birding more challenging but today was okay.
https://ebird.org/checklist/S216885229
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| Palm Warbler |
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| American Avocets |
Tuesday May 7th
eBird Trip Report https://ebird.org/tripreport/245480
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| Black Bear Cub |
I recently visited Eastern Tennessee, including Seven Island Birding State Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although rain cut my day trip to the Smokies short, I managed to take the auto tour at Cades Cove. Spotting black bears was a highlight, with four sows and their twin cubs in view. However, capturing a great photo of the bears proved challenging.
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| Black Bear Sow with Cubs |
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| Eastern Hemlock |
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| Mountain Laural |
Had also made two short visits to Seven Island Birding State Park, which is near to Knoxville, which features prairie, woodland and river habitats. Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Field and White-crowned Sparrows, Wood Thrush, Yellow-breasted Chats, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, Prothonotary and Hooded Warblers.
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| Cliff Swallows |
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| Cliff Swallows |
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| House Finch |
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| Tree Swallow |
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| Little Wood Satyr |
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| Mallard Ducklings |
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| Tufted Titmouse |
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| Downy Woodpecker and House Wren |
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| Tree Swallow |
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| Carolina Chickadee |
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| Musk Thistle |
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| Southern Blue Flag |
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| Song Sparrow |
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| Carolina Sweetshrub |
Sunday March 12th
Headed up on Sarasota County today, visiting Myakka River State Park and The Celery Fields
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| Lots of Gators at Myakka River State Park |
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| Long-billed Dowitcher |
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| Black-necked Stilt |
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| Blue-winged Teal |
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| Snowy Egret |
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| Lesser Yellowlegs |
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| Palm Warbler |
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| Sandhill Crane |
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| Wild Turkey |
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| American White Pelican |
eBird Checklist - 12 Mar 2023 - Palmer Lake and Surrounding Area - 4 species
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| This Coopers Hawk was resting in the shade by the bird feeders |
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| Brown-headed Cowbird |
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| Painted Bunting |
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| Gray-headed Swamphen were numerous here today |
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| Purple Martin |
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| Savannah Sparrow |
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| Common Gallinule |
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| Glossy Ibis |
Friday December 30th
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| Red-shouldered Hawk |
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| Wild Turkey |
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| Greater Yellowlegs |
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| American Robin |
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| Green-winged Teal |
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| Northern Mockingbird |
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| Palm Warbler Myakka River State Park |
After catching lunch at the food truck, left the park for a quick run over to nearby Celery Fields. Here, I checked out the butterfly garden and feeder location. Lots of Nanday Parakeets, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Grackles.
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| Yellow-rumped Warbler The Celery Fields |
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| Northern Cardinal The Celery Field |
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| Boat-tailed Grackle The Celery Fields |
So, as the year ends, I hadn't grown a very large year list. With the covid stuff, gas prices and rising inflationary costs, and not forget the havoc with Hurricane Ian, I didn't do as much birding as I normally would have. But currently I'm making plans to be more aggressive in the new year.