Ready for Nesting

A new nest box up and ready for the bluebirds. This box went up a few days ago, and I was despairing since I had not seen the bluebirds for several week. As I carried out the pole, box, tools, etc. what should appear but a pair of them, fluttering around one of the older boxes. So, they are here and waiting for time to be right. There is one who attacks the bathroom window with great vigor and regularity, but I hope he (no female would be that stupid, would she?) will develop a new interest soon. In checking all the older boxes for last year's nests, I found one with a nest and unhatched egg. It was in the most popular of the boxes. I had noticed a pair of bluebirds in the late fall busily in and out of the box as if they were nesting, but did not open the box to check. Never dreamed they would lay eggs at that time of year. I did read that we could get three nestings in a year here in Florida, so I need to be more vigilant about cleaning out the boxes. We have had two clutches in a year, and I suppose the late fall flurry must have been an attempt at a third.

I am posting this as is, even though one picture is missing. My frustration with getting the pictures to load and the text to cooperate has gotten the best of me. My patience with computers is very, very small. Now I can go back to watching the birds and playing with my more cooperative tools.

Saturday Morning Hike

Last Saturday was the coldest day of the season, a hard freeze with a temp of 27 at 7 a.m. A bit chilly for a birding hike, but warmly dressed and well fed, we headed out to see the sandhill cranes gathered on Payne's Prairie near Gainesville.

As is so often the case with birds, the sandhills were heard long before they we seen. Though not at all melodious, theirs is is an arresting sound, particularly when many make up the chorus. A squeaking, gutteral chuckling, fluttering in a thousand throats carried loudly across the marshy prairie. One half mile of easy walking brought the

first flock into view, an amazing sight.

Hundreds and hundreds of stately sandhills busily feeding, so close together they were touching as they stooped to poke through the mud in search of whatever it is they eat. These red-

crowned birds,

dressed in bankers' gray, looked much like crowded pylons, huddled in the grey-brown g

rasses of the old lake bottom. Except for the sound, one would hardly be aware of their presence, so closely matched were they to the dry foliage. But the sound, the sound was indescribable and un

relenting. They seem never to stop their chortling, chuckling talk with one another.

Even more amazing than the sandhills were the two whooping cranes that moved about the edge of the sandhill flock. Stark amid the gray throng, the pristine white whoopers were an unexpected delight. There

were quite a few hikers about, but the birds seemed undisturbed by the presence of people.

While most seemed bent on steady feeding, there was an almost wavelike rearranging of the flocks. Groups of three or five or ten and then a hundred rose above the prairie and flew with stately grace against the cold blue sky, to settle soon again a quarter mile away. Rattling, croaking conversat

ions continued as the flew. Huge wings outspread and flapping in slow motion, necks and legs stretched fore and aft, they looked like for all the world like arrows shot from some gigantic bow. All told we walked three miles and saw new flocks at every turn. One wonders what the resident herd of bison or the dozing alligators made of all the commotion. It was a wonderful outing on a gorgeous winter day.

Poker Run Aftermath

We paddled in a Poker Run yesterday and had a ball. Janet, Dottie, and I took part in the benefit Poker Run for Three Sisters Spring at King's Bay in Crystal River. When you play poker in a kayak, you go from station to station in your kayak collecting cards. Once the cards are turned in, winners are established and prizes are awarded.

We set a brisk pace as we paddled to a station about 30 minutes away (by kayak) in order to answer the bonus question. Our plan was to execute the longest paddle before the wind came up. We were successful in our effort and completed the much closer card stations with no difficulty.

Before turning in our cards and leaving the water, we lingered over Hunter Spring. As we sat very still in our kayaks over the deep spring waters, we could see several manatees and their young. One of them came up right in front of my boat and snorted. It was thrilling. All in all, we had a spectacular day paddling the beautiful water, sitting in the shade for a picnic lunch, and, as Dottie said,.." enjoying nature at its best."

Just A Spectacular Photo Of My Favorite River Birch

This is simply my favorite tree and I am constantly grateful for its beauty, regardless of the season. I took this photograph while lying on my back, on the grass, looking up through the branches.

OK Hummers, We're Ready For You

I know it may seem silly and very premature but we are ready for the hummingbirds whose return is at least two months away. Although many hummingbirds winter in Florida, ours leave before the end of October. We live in a very cold part of Florida where there is ice on the cars almost every morning in winter if the temperature dips into the thirties. The birds seem to know just when to pack their little suitcases for warmer climates.
We monitor the Hummingbird Migration Map online and start to get very excited when the birds are spotted in the southern portion of the state. Last year, our birds arrived on March 1 even though some years they have arrived later than that. Today, we planted six coral honeysuckle vines on the front arbor because they come to those flowers as soon as they arrive. Even if we have freezing weather, the honeysuckle thrives so we felt safe planting them now even though it is officially still winter. We often hear the hummers before we actually see them. They make a very high-pitched chirping sound that is unmistakable. Stay tuned. You'll hear it here first!!