KASET OKREK

Harns Marsh Preserve VI

With great anticipation, I made my sixth trip to Harns Marsh Preserve in Lehigh Acres, Florida today. The birds above were photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in November 2009. The correct spelling of the preserve is a mystery to me as the Caloosa Bird Club identifies it (with directions to the preserve here)as Harnes Marsh. I was unsure of what the lighting conditions for photography would be. As was the case on prior visits to the preserve, the sky was somewhat overcast with intermittent high...

Random Thoughts V

I haven't been to any of my local beaches in over a month. I mention this because I would normally be at one at least once a week when possible. The butterfly above was photographed at Harns Marsh Preserve in September 2009.Some of the beaches in the SW Florida area can be uncrowded which allows for ideal shore and wading bird activity and observation where there's great enjoyment.I was told today of a sighting of the Scarlet Ibis at Lakes Park in early 2009. This inland venue is one that I should...

Fall 2009 Florida Birding Migration Action II

Well, it's been more than a week since my return from my Fall 2009 trip along the Great Florida Birding Trail traversing all four of the regions within it. The Northern Mockingbird above was photographed at Trout Point Nature Trail in November 2009.The start of the journey led me through and out of the South Region of the Trail into the East Region. From the East Region I entered the Panhandle and then, on the final leg, didn't make a stop other than to fuel the car as I drove through the West...

1700 Miles

It was an attempt of mine, with the opportunity, to observe migratory action of birds that may be making their way through Florida these past few days in the late 2009 migration period. The Crested Caracara above was photographed at the Prairie Bird Loops within the Great Florida Birding Trail in November 2009.While I was able to travel through two new regions (the East and Panhandle) along the Great Florida Birding Trail, I was only able to add a handful of new species of bird to my wildlife lexicon...

Give Me Jet Lag

While I've never had the opportunity to experience jet lag, I think I have at least a small appreciation for its affects after the recent impact of daylight savings time and then crossing the time zone by car back into "normal time." The aircraft above was photographed at Trout Point Nature Trail in November 2009.In this case, it might more appropriately be explained as a form of significant disorientation.The start of my Florida 2009 Fall journey was under Lake Erie and led to an area South of...