I ended up with an unexpected day off on Friday so I decided to make a run up to Gainesville to visit a few parks I haven’t been to in a long time. I started at Sweetwater Wetlands Park and did a couple laps there. It was 36 degrees when I started hiking but within an hour I was warm enough to take off my jacket. There was frost on the grass and plants which I don’t see often. There was also a beautiful mist coming off of the water especially at sunrise. I then headed over to La Chua trail, part of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. It has changed a lot since I was last there. I found the Snail Kites and took a bunch of photos of them flying around and picking up Apple Snails and eating them. The snail kite is a locally endangered species in the Florida Everglades, with a population of less than 400 breeding pairs. Research has demonstrated that water-level control in the Everglades is depleting the population of apple snails. However, this species is not generally threatened over its extensive range. Due to the drainage and habitat destruction of the Everglades, they were one of the first species put on the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species list on 11 March 1967. The snail kite continued to decline, reaching a population of less than 800 in 2007. Their population gradually rebounded after the invasive snail species of the Island Apple Snail began to flourish in the Everglades wetlands and served as a new food source for the snail kites, reaching a count of 3,000 snail kites in 2022. I then headed back to Sweetwater Wetlands Park and did another lap or so bringing my hiking total up to about 11 miles by 1 PM.
The gorgeous morning mist at sunrise. Don’t miss the heron flying through (with a reflection even).
Great Blue Heron pair working on their nest.
Female Belted Kingfisher (Females have the rust colored stripe on chest, males do not).
Female Belted Kingfisher (Females have the rust colored stripe on chest, males do not).
Alligator Reflection – Time to warm up.
Northern Shoveler (female) – Look at that bill!
Snail Kite (female)
Snail Kite (female)
Snail Kite (female) with a Snail
Snail Kite (female)
Snail Kite (female) – The poop shot – Birds typically poop just before flying to minimize their body weight and make flight more efficient.
Snail Kite Takeoff (female)
Glossy Ibis
Banded Water Snake – Non-venomous
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a glossy ibis. Very cool pics!
Morning mist at sunrise is marvelous. Florida is home to several exotic apple snails which, I have been told, have helped the population of both snail kites and limpets.
Yes, they eat basically only apple snails and their population has expanded since the invasive apple snails have spread. Limpkins also eat almost solely apple snails also.
The ‘poop’ shot was different. The kingfisher is a colorful bird. You got a lot of exercise this morning, plus a long drive to get to your destination.
Again, thank you for the wonderful photos, Matt.
Love,
Big Granny