April 2020
Blog 337: Whistling Duck Rumble
Regular blog readers are familiar with this location. It is one of our favorite nature locations to experience: the 11-mile wildlife drive by Lake Apopka, about a half-hour west of Orlando. During normal times it is open sunrise to sunset Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and on national holidays. We try and go there every time we are visiting Jan’s aunt in the town of Apopka. Because of the quality and the direction of the light, we are almost always waiting for the gate to open a few minutes before dawn. As almost always, this was a great time.
Black-Bellied Whistling Duck Rumble
It was just like watching two rival gangs approach each other—the two distinct grouping of whistling ducks move toward each other with protruding chests, flapping wings, chiseled beaks, and lots of trash talk. For close to ten minutes we watched the provocative movements of attempted dominance.
Lots of Other Birds
Here is a close-up of a glossy ibis, a pair of black-crowned night herons, an Eastern phoebe, a gorgeous black-necked stilt, a male and a female red-winged blackbird, momma duck and babies, and a ring-necked duck.
Gator Close-Up
Finally, to wrap up our visit, here is a gator close-up. His attempt at disguise is a little lacking.
Magnolia Park
The day before we had gone on the Lake Apopka Wildlife tour mentioned above, and we were planning on doing it again the next morning before returning back to St. Marks. However, a sign on the entrance gate said, “Closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.” OK, I am certainly for taking measures to slow down this bad virus, however, the wildlife drive might be the safest place in Florida to avoid the virus—people inside cars having virtually zero contact with other humans." Oh, well…time for Plan B. Just six miles down from the drive is Magnolia Park, an Orange County park that borders Lake Apopka. At a small pond in the middle of the park were a number of wood ducks. Here are a couple photos.
A limpkin flew in, and here is a shot of the fly-in and one standing.
We were fortunate to see a couple of snail kites do a duel for dominance.
Magnolia Park is another great place to visit.
Finally, back in October, Jan’s aunt and her good friend came to St. Marks to experience the Monarch Festival. Jan’s aunt is also an awesome quilter and made, and then donated, two quilts to the Friends of the Refuge to raise money. She made one of the quilts herself, but the photo below shows her with her longtime friend Thelma, who teamed up to produce this beautiful quilt.
See you next time.
Black-Bellied Whistling Duck Rumble
It was just like watching two rival gangs approach each other—the two distinct grouping of whistling ducks move toward each other with protruding chests, flapping wings, chiseled beaks, and lots of trash talk. For close to ten minutes we watched the provocative movements of attempted dominance.
Lots of Other Birds
Here is a close-up of a glossy ibis, a pair of black-crowned night herons, an Eastern phoebe, a gorgeous black-necked stilt, a male and a female red-winged blackbird, momma duck and babies, and a ring-necked duck.
Gator Close-Up
Finally, to wrap up our visit, here is a gator close-up. His attempt at disguise is a little lacking.
Magnolia Park
The day before we had gone on the Lake Apopka Wildlife tour mentioned above, and we were planning on doing it again the next morning before returning back to St. Marks. However, a sign on the entrance gate said, “Closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.” OK, I am certainly for taking measures to slow down this bad virus, however, the wildlife drive might be the safest place in Florida to avoid the virus—people inside cars having virtually zero contact with other humans." Oh, well…time for Plan B. Just six miles down from the drive is Magnolia Park, an Orange County park that borders Lake Apopka. At a small pond in the middle of the park were a number of wood ducks. Here are a couple photos.
A limpkin flew in, and here is a shot of the fly-in and one standing.
We were fortunate to see a couple of snail kites do a duel for dominance.
Magnolia Park is another great place to visit.
Finally, back in October, Jan’s aunt and her good friend came to St. Marks to experience the Monarch Festival. Jan’s aunt is also an awesome quilter and made, and then donated, two quilts to the Friends of the Refuge to raise money. She made one of the quilts herself, but the photo below shows her with her longtime friend Thelma, who teamed up to produce this beautiful quilt.
See you next time.