Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Corkscrew Swamp

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. I would rate it on a par with the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. Since the wildlife refuge is on an island it attracts enormous amounts of waterfowl and shorebirds. The sanctuary is on the mainland and has several different ecosystems. Thus there are a large variety of plants, animals and birds. Come on along as we take a look at some of highlights of our visit to Corkscrew. We followed a 2.25 mile boardwalk. At a slow walking pace it should take you about 2 hours. We took between 5 or 6 hours which would be a clue as to how many interesting sights there were and the number of photos we took. It was early and very few people were around yet. An almost eerie feeling settled over us as we headed into a forested swamp. An occasional bird call sounded in the distance, then we heard something akin to a roaring bellow. Is that an alligator we all wondered? We didn't know for sure. What else could sound that big and dangerous?
"OMG! There's one right next to the board walk!" "Not to worry dear, he's headed the other way." Actually, I think gators and cats have a lot in common. They seem to sleep a lot.

We soon entered a drier more wide open area and birds began to appear all around us.

A red shouldered hawk An almost hidden Barred Owl.
And later, an Eastern Screech owl that blended in so well, people couldn't see him even after I pointed him out to passersby.


You will have to look even closer to spot the next fellow. It was a limpkin, blending into the grasses in the swamp.
Far easier to spot were the painted buntings. As a matter of fact we saw four of them. Leaning over the railing people would stop to see what I was looking at and then pronounce it to be a fake..... till it moved. "Oh my," was a typical reaction. Or, "it looks like it was pained by an artist." All I could think of was "WOW!"
There were other birds and beautiful plants and flowers, butterflies and strange insects and amphibians. I think to best describe Corkscrew, I would say it was a place of enchantment. At least it was to me. Perhaps I can talk Mrs. T into going back there again some day.

19 comments:

  1. What an outstanding place and super pics. The sleeping owl was a great catch. Your earlier post on the Ding Darling reserve is great, too, and brought back happy memories from a visit long ago. It's all too easy to think of Florida as highways, malls, Disney and subdivisions etc--thanks for sharing the natural beauty.

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  2. We drove by that area on another Florida trip, but did not take the hike. (Should have... ) I'm glad you're enjoying it!

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  3. Oh, I am loving this trip. Great shots.

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  4. Magnificent!! What a beautiful place to go to. I love those boardwalks they have built just beware of basking aligators. :)

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  5. What a stunning place. So many things to see and hear. It must have been quite an adventure. I'm glad you had a good time.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your trip. I love the boardwalk and will definitely have to check that out someday!

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  7. What a neat place! Oh, I do hope to see a Painted Bunting on Cumberland Island! I'd better be wearing some Depends!!! :c)

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  8. I've heard of the corkscrew swamp all my life but never visited.

    Love the owl photo!

    I am terrified of alligators. Most people don't know how fast they are. They frequently catch dogs that get a little to close to the water.
    Marnie

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  9. Thanks for popping over to my blog!

    I enjoy your bird pictures! I love birds as well ~ they are slowing starting to come back as the weather turns warmer. Southwest Saskatchewan is not the best place to live when you enjoy birds so much! :(

    Have a lovely Easter!

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  10. Cool place. Next time I am in Tampa to visit my sister I just may head down that direction. Beats the heck out of Disneyland!

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  11. Wow, a Painted Bunting!
    This looks like an awesome place for me to try and visit some day. Thanks for sharing this with us.

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  12. Oh, yes, I can tell that the Florida enchantment has taken hold. And how many real estate books did you take home with you? That drowsy looking alligator was probably digesting its latest meal, if that's any comfort.

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  13. Excellent. I love that screech owl!

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  14. What a beautiful place! That gator looks HUGE!!

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  15. Painted buntings??? I'm wholly jealous of you! Thanks for sharing--the area looks very lovely.

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  16. Took me forever to spot the Eastern Screech owl in the first photo. I didn't think to skip to the next photo where he was easily seen.

    I had no trouble seeing the painted bunting, being the good birder that I am:) My goodness, they are beautiful, aren't they?

    donna

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  17. Was this a recent trip, troutbirder? You've shared great photos. Way to go in spotting that screech owl! (And the barred owl!)

    When our son was 4 or so, he would tell us he was putting on his "eagle eyes" with a flip of his fingers next to his ears. He also had amazing discernment and spotted things quickly!

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  18. TB,
    Your photos make me want to return sooner than we can!! You saw some really neat birds! ..and how did you catch that screech owl?? such a sharp eye!!
    Hope you do return. Remind me and I will gladly share with you a new place to visit near Corkscrew..if you do go next yr. ;-)

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  19. Looks like a wonderful place to spend a day! The painted buntings are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your adventure! :)

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