The greatest Father's Day ever

How better can it get? Kelly and Leah came over to join us (Debbie and me) outside Savannah where we were birding and camping...for Father's Day!

I feel lucky.  My young adult children have made the time to spent unique moments with us on Father's Day for the last few years. This time, it took them 5 hours of driving, but they came.

Around the camp fire

Everyone was happy which made things easy.  We were just happy to be together! The food was great, the camping was comfortable.  The activities were simple but fun filled.

Kelly and Leah on Little Tybee Island

We chartered a small boat and went around the waterways of Tybee Island and anchored at Little Tybee Island for a while where everyone did his/her "own thing".  Birding, looking for unique shells, wildflowers, or just strolling on this almost deserted island.  You can access the island only by boat or other form of watercraft.

I thought I have fun finding many bird species, but it seems that the kids had even more fun with our encounter with the dolphins.  We touched these sociable wild dolphins thanks to a patient boat captain.

Kelly on boat

I didn't know Little Tybee Island is more than twice the size of Tybee Island.  I was struck by the contrast between the crowded, overdeveloped Tybee and the natural, undeveloped, and mostly deserted Little Tybee.

Little Tybee Island

I was happy to hear from the Captain of the boat (he seems to be an authority on this) that a bridge cannot be built to connect Little Tybee to the mainland.  Too many reasons against it.  Some places just need to remain natural.

Thanks, Leah for these pics.

 No, this was not at Sea World.  These dolphins just befriended us and let us touch them! Actually, they touched us, because we were not supposed to touch the wild dolphins so we simply put our hands out and let them do the touching.

On Skidaway Island

A hiking on Skidaway Island with Kelly and Leah gave us a chance to see the Painted Buntings again and for the children, a moment to appreciate birding.  Sure, there were more than birding...butterflies, wildflowers, deer...nature is lovely in any regard.

Thank you, Debbie, for all you do to make the get-together pleasant in every way.  You're the greatest!

American Oystercatchers

How quickly time passes by! Especially when you're with loved ones and you just want to spend a lot of time together.

Kelly

Till next time.

Can't wait!

I love you, kids, for a great and unforgettable Father's Day!

Birding and taking a break in the Florida gulf Coast

It just seems that we like to take a break in this part of Florida every year now.  Maybe because we find the beach here to be the prettiest.  Or maybe because Grayton Beach State Park offers beach areas that are quite private.  Or just because it's inexpensive to camp or rent a cabin here.  Or all of the above.

We were really looking forward to some great birding during the few days and nights we spent in the Santa Rosa beach area.  Did we see alot of birds? No, not really.  We did try and picked up two lifers (these are bird species a birder has not seen before).  They were a Black Tern and an American Golden-Plover.   

The beach was gorgeous and the weather was perfect.  We enjoyed that! And it's was nice to brush up on our gulls and terns.  

A lake by the beach, very unique

We rented bikes and hit the trails near the marshes and wetlands where most of our target birds for the trip were.  That's where we came up a bit pretty empty handed.  Sure, we ended up with 92 bird species for the trip including 33 additional species for our Florida yearly bird list.  We're happy.



You're pretty!












Laughing Gull

It was strange to go to some great birding habitats in Florida and notice that there were hardly any birds!   

Since you've read this post this far, I'll let you in on a secret.  You probably already know that some of the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida are world renowned.  They are that beautiful with white sand, clean, and pretty ocean colors.  That's why it can get expensive to get a nice place on the beach; and my secret...Florida State Parks that are on the beach. 

Get down from that tree!

Here is the link Florida State Parks.  From that main page, go to "find a park", then "reserve".  We like Grayton Beach State Park.  Don't expect to book a cabin today and go next week now.  You have to book a few weeks in advance, sometimes a couple of months in advance.  They call these "cabins" but they are really comfortable 2 bedrooms duplexes tucked in the woods for privacy with screened porch...for $130.00 a night.  These cabins are well maintained and are in a gated complex. That's why the beach has a "private" feel. 

Debbie's mother (Mama) came with us and greatly enjoyed the trip too! We all had fun. 

When you work hard like most of us do, you need a break from time to time.  Even if you don't work very hard...well, take a break to the beach anyhow!

Pretty beach, where is everybody?

Bye now!

What have we been up to lately?

Spring is here. 
We've been taking full advantage of it; working in the yard, birding, one camping trip, more birding, working in the yard some more, and birding even more.  I almost forgot.  I go to work every day too, except for weekends and when I don't go.

This Robin has decided to make her home on our front porch.  We believe she is the same robin that comes every year.  She thinks she is part of the family.  Her name is Robie.

I guess if we can guarantee to leave some doors open for her, she will make her nest right in the living room! Some bird!

Birding at the Oconee National Forest.  We usually take Mama (Debbie's Mom) with us on our birding outings.  She loves the outdoors.  I've been thinking about taking her camping too.  She is only 86 years young.  This will take a lot of convincing on several fronts. 

Cardinal chicks

First hatching of Northern Cardinals in the backyard.  Those birdies can cry for food.  Someone needs to make pacifiers for birds!

They're cute though.

A pair of bright color Goldfinches came to visit the feeders.  Only one in the picture.  The other one took the picture.  Really? Don't believe it.  Debbie took most of the bird pictures. 

American Goldfinch

Black Belts at the tournament.  Andre is 4th from the left.

In-between our birding outings, we had our national TaeKwonDo tournament.  Our school organized it and I helped set up the place with others.  I got a medal for just being a 3rd degree black belt.  (Other 3rd and 4th degrees got a medal too).  Easiest medal I've ever gotten!

We need to see more birds, so off we go to the Okefenokee for a four day camping trip.  Fantastic!

Camping at the Okefenokee

Debbie in the canoe

Lazy gator

Did you know there are lots of alligators at the Okefenokee? There are lots of birds too.  We saw our share, and loved every bit of it.  There are beautiful wildflowers, plants, and butterflies too.  If you love nature, it's the place to go.  

Bog Candles blooming

Back home, we went birding around town, within an hour drive.  Did you know there are nature trails, forests, birding trails, wildlife management areas or a State Park within an hour drive from any American city? I read it somewhere. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Before I forget, a beautiful Rose-breasted Grosbeak came to our feeder.  He felt sorry we couldn't find one in the woods so he just came straight to the house.  Birds are nice!

We found a new spot for birding.  The Oaky Woods WMA.  We went there for a picnic and saw lots of birds including some of the migrant warblers.  The place has a campground for primitive camping.  Since no one goes there, hardly, we're thinking of going camping there.  Will be fun.    

This place is rich with butterflies too.  We need to remember to take Kelly and Leah next time they're home.  They love butterflies! 

It's therapeutic to be in nature. 

Debbie



  Bye for now.

Camping and Birding in the Florida Northeast Coast

Camping and birding make a great combination.  We enjoy both.
This trip took us to the Northeastern coast of Florida in Little Talbot Island State Park.  What a beautiful place! 

Snowy Egrets behind our tent.

Our camp site was right beside the bathrooms, and the river (a swamp to be more accurate) was just behind us.  The picture above with the Egrets was taken from our site.  We got a lot of visitors behind our tent (literally): various Grebes, an Ovenbird visiting during breakfast one morning, various Mergansers, Herons, and pretty songbirds in the trees all around. 

It's nice to have a cup of coffee in the morning and start birding right on trails around the campground enjoying Brown Pelicans, Belted Kingfishers, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Yellow-throated Warblers (oh, so pretty!), Kinglets, Woodpeckers....owls hooting one night.

Morning after coffee and before breakfast

For anyone who does not camp in State Parks, let me just mention that SPs have bathrooms with hot showers, and the camp sites have water and electricity hookups.  With an electric heater in your tent and a cozy electric blanket, you can still be quite comfortable even if the nights get a bit chilly. 

A photogenic Osprey

We had a goal of beating our last record of 102 bird species during a camping trip. We got 127 bird species including 13 life birds this time!!! That's thousands of birds seen.  A "life bird" is a bird that a birder is seeing for the first time.  (We keep a list).  Our birding included stops on the Georgia coast: Statesboro (Northern Lapwing!), Tybee Island (Snowy Owl!!!), Jekyll Island and the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area on the way back. 

Lots of unspoiled areas on the beach

The area where we were camping was a superb birding spot. Little Talbot Island is part of a seven park system that includes Amelia Island and Great Talbot Island.  We saw some pretty Roseate Spoonbills feeding quietly in the marshes. 

Biking and birding!

We tried a different quite of birding technique on this trip, biking and birding.  Worked great.  Seemed as the birds do not hear you coming as fast as if you were walking.  And you cover more grounds too.  This was a bit similar to canoeing/kayaking and birding.  

Debbie on one of our birding outing



We enjoyed the birding very much but we could not spent anytime on the beach as previously planned; except for observing shorebirds.  It was just too windy on the beach and not warm enough. 

Unique tree with a unique person

When we go out camping and birding, we see more than just birds.  Nature tends to offer beauties that come in more forms than just with feathers.  The ocean is beautiful, the various rivers and estuaries were beautiful.  Even the marshes have their own beauties.  Some of the trees we saw were just amazing.  Just walk down a quite beach with driftwood and you'll appreciate what birding on the coast means.  Soaking it all in. 

Still young at heart.  Swinging away in Jekyll Island

Before we knew it, it was time to come back home.  Jekyll Island and the Altamaha brought us a few more birds on the way back.  We're already thinking about the next birding/camping trip. 

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