Birds, Birds, Birds

[Rob Stevens]

Allison and I did a 11 day trip this Christmas and had two incredible bird experiences.  The first was after we came up Charley Creek and were heading toward Gopher Key there was this loud continuous sound we could not identify. The closest guess was surf but wind speed and direction did not justify it. The sound continued and as we paddled around a bend we came upon white pelicans taking off toward us. There still on the water was a raft of 2-300 more. They peel off from the edge pretty much single file and since they had already committed to coming our direction they just kept coming flying right toward us. A most amazing sight.

   Our next incredible bird experience was going down the Wood River and we came upon a large flock of snowy egrets and ibises. On the river are small narrow "ponds" broken up by mangrove tangles. As we would approach they would fly on to the next "pond". This kept happening and I feel guilty about how they keep going ahead of us. At one point we are tangled in a mangrove spot and the flock returns right over our head. It roosts starting at the further end of the "pond" and finally fills till they are landing 4 feet over our heads. It only takes seconds for them to realize we are there and fly off but what an amazing few seconds. I wish Connie had been with us to take photos.

   We try to keep birds from flying away by being noisy. We speak gently as we approach them so as not to sneak up on them saying soothing things like "STAY' STAY, aw you big baby"  "Oh don't go and poop now" but it only works until we pass them and then when we are beyond them, and behind them, and  they fly away. Living in the computer age I know the correct action is to keep repeating the same action and hope for a different response. Any other tactics for not spooking birds?

    I strongly urge anyone canoeing the Glades right now to visit these two spots.

 

 

[Connie Mier]

Rob, awesome experience with the WPs, they are amazing. When a large flock like that flies close overhead, it sounds like a very large fan, woosh, woosh, woosh. Can't explain it well enough.

As for keeping the birds from flying away, geez, if I had a dime for every shot of a bird's hind feathers I had the opportunity to get, I would be a millionaire. I use to have a rating for various birds based on their approachability, but the order of that list has changed many times over the years. Use to think great white egrets were the wariest of the waders until one approached my boat and craned its neck over the bow to look inside. Go figure.

Oh and BTW, great to meet you and Alison at Darwins!

[Rob Stevens]

I forgot to identify the sound. It was their feet and wings slapping the water as they took off.