Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Friday, February 8, 2013

Myakka River State Park


 Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The "Florida Wild and Scenic Myakka River" flows through 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Myakka is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation. The Park lays a short drive southeast of Tampa/St. Pete.  As we arrived at a parking lot we were confronted by the following sign. It seems the local Black Vultures have taken a liking to tires, windsheild wipers and the rubber molding around windows and doors. Sprinkling pepper on the threatened parts is recommended as a defensive measure. The reason for their unusual behavior is unknown....
 
The varied habitat offered us the opportunity to  take some hikes as well a ride an airboat or a tram. We took the tram.
 
All in all it was a beautiful state park and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit......
 

16 comments:

  1. It looks beautiful. You'd sure think twice about parking your car without some protection from the vultures. Pretty funny!

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  2. Yikes, was not aware of the vultures love for rubber.
    I have camped at Myakka SP several times when I lived in Sarasota. Loved it.

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  3. OH, this is exactly my kind of vacation!! It looks like you're having so much fun! Very odd about the Vultures. You have to wonder what makes birds/animals start odd behaviors.

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  4. I trust the vultures left your car alone. You did get a good picture of one of the critters. This looks like a beautiful park.

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  5. It is wonderful to get away to a warm climate in winter. I don't know about those vultures though, and I thought the alligators and pythons were to be feared.

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  6. Sounds like a neat place to visit. Wonder why Vutlures like the rubber on the cars?

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  7. Very unusual diet, I see the population lowering over it.

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  8. Gorgeous park... Reminds me of the 'camp' where I had the privilege of attending for a two week intensive class when I was working on my Master's Degree in Christian Education. The Methodist Camp which I attended was in Leesburg--in the center of the state... Fabulous place for a 2-week class....

    Have a good weekend.
    Betsy

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  9. Hope the vultures left your car alone. I had heard about the vultures and rubber. Strange indeed.

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  10. Airboat sounds a little over the top for a wildlife park. Hiking sounds more like it. So are you keeping a list and how many birds do you have on your list?

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  11. Didn't know vultures would do that....

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  12. Maybe our manufacturers have changed the composition of rubber tires, wipers, etc. to include some vulture kibble in it. This is America, you never know!

    Beautiful area!

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  13. Could it be that the vultures are deficient in their usual food intake?? I wonder how the vultures fare on this tire diet? Vultures are so important to our ecology. -- barbara

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  14. Vulture eating up your tires..sounds kinda funny..but sad too.
    You and Mrs TB look like you are having a good time..but you have jackets on:)

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  15. It must have had a taste of rubber to start with.

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  16. Sounds like such a nice trip. Naughty vultures!! They remind me of the New Zealand kias, which also like to dismantle cars.

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