Wakodahatchee Wetlands

The visit yesterday to the City of Delray was an amazing experience. I have never been to a wildlie reserve that was so rich with wildlife. It is a wonderful place and is a glowing example of what can be acheived with finance and good planning. It even has toilet acilities which would do credit to a 4star hotel. There is about a mile of raised wooden walkways which meander through and over the water past, and very near to the hundreds of birds and nests. Nests full of healthy chicks and eggs. The photo opportunities were endless and every shot had the potential to be the best shot ever taken…………. yes it really was that good. If I had a criticism then in common with every wildlife refuge that I have visited in the USA it was al a little contrived and manicured with trimmed lawns and pretty gazebos and pavilions which, however served an invaluable purpose as shelter from the intense 90 degree temperatures. If you are an American please don’t be offended by my comments but there is a desire to turn your wildlife habitats in to wildlife theme parks, but it does seem to work and they are always well policed and protected.

The species seen included all the USA heron species apart from Redish Egret, White Ibis, Ahninga, Red Winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, Palm Warbler, 2 species of Galinule, Blue Winged Teal, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Coopers Hawk and the highligh for me a Black-Necked Stilt. There were nesting Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Ahninga, Louisiana Heron, Grackles and Red Winged Blackbird as well as the Galinules.

This species to me is the most attractive Heron………….. the Louisiana or Tri-Coloured Heron.

The Red-Winged Blackbird is a bird taken for granted by the vast amount of people but I really love them and when they display they are so stunning.

THe Green Heron below was nesting only fee from the boardwalk and as we watched the nest one of the couple came in to take his turn on the nest. As he arrived he did a display by erecting his head feathers and cackling.

Then he proceeded to turn the eggs and did his stint on thre clutch.

The Great Blue Herons ere feeding two almost fully grown chicks.

This is one of the adults who couldn’t have posed better.

At the back of the reserve in a quiet are I was thrilled to see two pairs of Blue Winged Teal a lifer for me.

Then on the edge of another quiet bank the highlight of the afternoon showed itself. A Black-Necked Stilt, a truly stunning and beautiful bird. I had seen them the other day in flight in Miami so I knew that they were about, but to get so close and get a good photo or two was a bit special for me.

I have posted this next photo of a Downy Woodpecker which I have to admit is not a great photo and trying to photograph it really challenged my photographic ability.