GREEN CAY and WAKODAHATCHEE WETLANDS , part one

 

   

It seems like it's either no birds or nothing but birds around FullTime-Life these days.   Last  week it was 'nothing but' (at least as far as pictures go).  Only, oh my gosh, there was a whole lot of different kinds of 'nothing but'  – and I still can't stop smiling.  

 

 

 Green Heron

 

We spent a few days last week RoadTrek camping  in Fort Lauderdale.  We went mid-week — the retired people version of a long weekend away. We found some great restaurants (grown-up camping means eating most meals out).    But we were there mostly to go birding and we visited two amazing  wetland areas:    Wakodahatchee  and Green Cay.    

 

Whistling Ducks

Both places are created wetlands for Palm Beach County.   In addition to their practical purposes, these areas provide wonderful habitat for birds.   The boardwalks in both places were well-maintained and optimal for viewing .

 

 

Little Blue Heron 

 Even after weeding the pictures down to a somewhat manageable number, I couldn't even begin to choose favorites — and nor could I show even one of each variety we saw in  one post.  That is why I already know that this is only Part I from  this excursion.

 

 

 Common Gallinules

Common Gallinules are — well — common  in every wetlands we've ever visited.  But seeing the babies or juveniles (like the ones on the top and bottom corners) was a first.  All we saw at first was this dot of red looking like it was rolling through the marsh grass.  It took a while to see the rest of the baby bird.   These water birds (they're not ducks)  are sometimes known as Marsh Hens.

 

 

Least Terns 

There were birds everywhere — even on the roof of this shelter (which we welcomed — it was a hot day).   

 

 Glossy Ibis

The practical purpose of the wetlands is to filter and clean treated waste water.  Purple pickerel weed and other plants serve as natural filters — and they also make wonderful habitat for water birds.   It was a little hard to get decent pictures because the grasses and reeds tended to obscure the birds' faces.  It took some time and patience, but it was worth it.  

There will be more un-obscured faces from both places in another post.  These are shared with the following: 

ALL SEASONS; NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY; OUR WORLD on TUESDAY; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; WEDNESDAY WATERS; and THROUGH MY LENS .

Huge thanks to each of the hosts for the opportunities they provide.