KASET OKREK

Fall 2009 Florida Birding Migration Action I

In the days ahead, I hope to make the best of Florida birding. An opportunity for some R&R and to see what may be at the tail end of the height of the 2009 Fall migration action along the Great Florida Birding Trail. The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2008.A last minute look at the weather forecast has me realize that I need to reverse my planned itinerary to avoid the precipitation from a storm front working its way toward the Eastern...

Ding Darling Days 2009

Ding Darling Days National Wildlife Refuge Week 2009, which ends tomorrow, completely went under the radar as I've been winging my wildlife ventures to the last minute of late. The group of wildlife enthusiasts, participating in Ding Darling Days 2009 above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2009.This year's event may have again gone unnoticed if I didn't encounter the troupe of enthusiasts at Bunche Beach Preserve that approached thirty strong.I had to comment...

Random Thoughts IV

The proof that global warming exists, as southwest Florida has had a very warm and humid summer this past season, seems awkward as so many other areas of the country have been experiencing record cold temperatures. This global warming mantra seems to be waning in favor of the addition of climate change to the lexicon of eco activists. The racoon above was photographed at National Audubon Society Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in October 2009.A comment I heard from a mid westerner this week was that...

Feature: Little Estero Lagoon

Little Estero Lagoon, also known as Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area (with the CWA designation by the state of Florida in 1992), is one of 15 such areas of concern in the state. The Great Egret above was photographed at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area in October 2009.The primary purpose of such a classification is to protect nesting and foraging wildlife that may be imperiled by the inadvertent or otherwise disturbance of species which could result in a decline in their numbers...

Random Thoughts III

What might be an unexpectedly alluring place to view wildlife is the Southwest Florida International Airport. Driving in and around this place, I have seen an abundance of bird activity. The Osprey above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in October 2009.This is not meant to alarm anyone whom may be flying in or out of the airport.This past week I observed a very photogenic Red-shouldered Hawk at rest on a dead pine tree. There were also a large number of Great Egrets which...