“Hello World, Here I Come!!!”

Yesterday evening was the last Loggerhead Turtle Inventory at the beach close to the marsh. It’s an amazing process to watch! Three days ago this nest hatched and now the naturalists can start the inventory. First, they carefully dig into the nest to count how many eggs hatched, how many eggs did not hatch and they also check to see if there are any live babies who haven’t climbed out yet. If they do find a live turtle, it is lifted gently out of the nest and placed on the sand directly facing the ocean…covered in sand it is then up to the little baby to find his own way to the water. The turtle’s eyes are very sensitive to light, and the light shining on the water is what guides it on it’s first steps to the ocean.

We were so fortunate that one little baby remained in the nest and we were able to share his (or her!) very determined first baby steps on a long and distant journey…”Hello world, here I come!!!” We wish you well little one…

Fun Things To Do In The Mud

Yesterday morning we were watching this alligator make it’s way around the salt marsh at low tide. What that really ended up being was a slog through the mud while waiting for the tide to come in bringing fish with it. However, the ever alert gator will always jump on any opportunity that comes his way. In this case the alligator spotted a crab that thought it was safely hidden deep down in the mud. It turned into a bad morning for crabby who was not as hidden as he thought, and was promptly scooped up and crunched by our pal Mr. Gator. After that, it was time to continue on through the mud and head into the shallow water that was beginning to accumulate with the rising tide.

Two Friends

This morning we were watching a snowy egret and a white ibis who were feeding in the marsh.
There was something about the way they moved and interacted with each other that made them seem like a couple of pals out enjoying their day together.
They just got along so well, and cooperated perfectly while remaining united in the common goal of catching a meal.
This went on for about half an hour until the ibis flew off apparently deciding to join a large group of ibis who were fishing in the salt marsh nearby.
The snowy seemed a bit disappointed to be left alone but continued to go about it’s business as life goes on in the marsh.

“Crabby” – 1 Night Heron – 0

This past weekend we were watching a juvenile night heron that was searching for a meal in the salt marsh at low tide.
The night heron was suddenly very excited to find what he thought would be a quick and easy catch when he spotted this crab in the shallow water.
Well…it turned out that the crab was very excited too, but obviously for different reasons!
When the bird tried to snatch up the tasty treat, crabby fought back and bit the heron’s face and stuck it in the eye with a claw.
Yikes! The young heron jumped back! He was not expecting this.
Well now the fight is on! The night heron has it’s wings raised up in full alert mode, and the crab is doing the same with it’s claws.
The young night heron makes another attempt to capture it’s prize but once again crabby is on the offensive!
The crab sinks both claws into the bird’s bill which causes the heron to twist it’s head to quickly shake off the crab.
That’s it. The fight is over. The night heron admits defeat by flying off and leaving crabby still defiantly displaying it’s claws in victory!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feeding Frenzy!

This past weekend we were surprised by a fascinating and unusual event in the salt marsh. A huge number of great and snowy egrets, white ibis, and wood storks all converged in one small area during low tide and began a feeding frenzy on the small fish which were jumping everywhere. Fights, arguments, and disagreements broke out all over, especially when one bird caught a fish. The squawking was continuous and incredibly loud which added to the frenetic nature of the event which lasted for over an hour.

“Where Is That Child Of Mine?!”

So last night we saw the juvenile bald eagle fly over the marsh. But then this morning here comes mama…or is it papa bald eagle?!
The youngster had been seen earlier, and we also saw another adult, which was likely the other parent.
I can’t complain about a Monday morning that starts off with a bald eagle flyby!
 

Scattering The Flock!

Earlier this evening we were watching a large group of white ibis feeding in the salt marsh.
Suddenly the entire group flew up in a panic and scattered in all directions.
We have witnessed this in the past and immediately our eyes turned to the sky above and sure enough…gliding in just above the trees was a bald eagle!
This one is a juvenile, it’s head and tail feathers have not yet started to turn white. But any eagle will get the flock to scatter and that certainly was the case this time.
 

Out For An Evening Stroll

This weekend we were a bit surprised to see an alligator climb up out of the marsh pond and take a nice little walk right across a roadway.
The gator headed over to the opposite side where it lumbered down among the rocks and weeds on it’s way to visiting the salt marsh where he was hoping to find a large meal of fresh fish and crabs!
We often see the alligators floating along in the water, but it never fails to amaze us to see one walking on land. It is the closest thing we have to a living dinosaur.
 
 
 
 
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