Sante Fe River

I went canoeing on the Sante Fe River this past Saturday, and it was basically a showcase for egrets and herons. I was canoeing with others and so did not have my binoculars with me (damn, damn, damn), but saw:

- Great Blue Herons
- White Ibises (many of these)
- Little Blue Herons
- Anhinga (female)
- Great Egret
- Yellow-crowned Night Heron (got a great close-up view)
- Wood Stork (so excited about this one)

Maybe this is the norm for this part of Florida, but I was pretty excited to see all these birds in one day.

Birds about town

I have yet to undertake any dedicated birding trips in Gainesville, but I've added a few birds to my life list by keeping an eye open.

I spotted a loggerhead shrike just hanging out on top of a fence on the southwest end of the horse pasture on the UF campus. I noted its striking mask, smallish bill, black wings with white bits, and black tail with white side feathers. I thought it was quite pretty -- it has that smooth coloring effect like Cedar Waxwings do.

I also spotted a bunch of vultures eating something next to the road east of Gainesville on the SR-20. I was in a car, but was struck by two things: they didn't fly away as the car approached, and, despite the close view I had, I didn't see any red faces. I suspect they were Black Vultures instead of Turkey Vultures, but I think I'll wait to tick them off the list until I get a better view of one.

In St. Augustine I spotted an Eurasian Collared Dove. I noticed the black mark on the neck, so there's not much ambiguity there.

And, of course, I've seen lots of English sparrows, cattle egrets, and one cardinal.