Wakodahatchee Wetlands

I was on the East coast of Florida with a family visit agenda and thought I would fit in a few hours of birding. A stop at Wakodahatchee from 12:00 to 2:00 was fruitful - not my favorite time of day to do birding but I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. My first sighting - a Black-crowned Night Heron

Some Black-bellied Whistling Ducks with a Roseate Spoonbill dipping in the foreground.

Great views of a Purple Gallinule

Several Double-crested Cormorants were nesting/raising youngs....

...So was the Neotropic Cormorant.

A few Iguanas have called this place 'home'.

A young Pied-billed Grebe.

A Glossy Ibis.

More Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.

The Lily pads - providing shade for the small fish and often used as a carpet by the Gallinules.

Several Swamphen were spotten....note they are now called "Gray-faced Swamphen".

I had a great time re-visiting this spot - my E-bird list for today.

Venice Rookery

I have heard from several people over the past two years about this little gem of a place called "Venice Rookery". It is small and intimate, a great inviting setting with ample opportunities for great nature enjoyment....come and take a look...

Right away I noticed how many families are occupying the small island and each families at different stages - here are a couple of Great Blue Heron chicks waiting to be fed.

Situated at the top is a parent standing over its nest - most likely with eggs.

In the middle is a Great Blue Heron chick that is practicing its wings - getting really close to fledge the nest.

A Great-crested Cormorant family.

This Great-crested Cormorant is drying its wings off from diving and fishing.

The covered pavilion is close to the parking area, from there I took the path that traveled around the entire lake - finding many intimate benches along the way with glorious views.

Anhinga chicks patiently waiting for more chow.

More families - including the Black-crowned Night Heron flying off to gather up more sticks while catching the other's attention.

One of my favorite families - Great Egret

This was my first time to see them at this stage - I will not soon forget.

Another family - the chicks here are much younger.

One big cozy and happy Great-crested Cormorant family.

Back to the Black-crowned Night Heron - being busy building his nest.

Gathering up more sticks - I watched how he picked just the right one and very carefully too.

Flying back to try it on for size and I bet it's going to be just right.

Looks like they will be neighbor with the

Black-crowned Night Heron

More sticks - and building the nest deep inside the rookery island.

"So, kids, listen up - we're having new neighbors and you better behave, you hear?"