The takeover continues . . .

The Wood Stork “… is the only stork breeding in the United States and was placed on the Federal Endangered Species list in 1984. The species was downlisted from endangered to threatened in June 2014, reflecting a successful conservation and recovery effort spanning three decades.” (many more details here: National Park Service) The previously endangered […]

A few ‘Percolation pond’ residents

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands is a unique “constructed wetlands” in Delray Beach, Florida, and one of the places I go birding and blog about most often. “Each day, the Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pumps approximately two million gallons of highly treated wastewater into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which in turn acts as a percolation pond, returning billions of […]

Quiet evening in late Spring

During late Winter and early Spring, the preserves were bustling with activity.  The warblers and other migratory birds had arrived. The wading birds and other Florida natives were busy courting, nesting, and caring for their noisy chicks. And, the boardwalks were filled with nature-lovers of all kinds, enjoying our spectacular weather and scenery – families […]

Wood Storks in action

This adult male Wood Stork featured above was very busy as usual yesterday morning, flying back and forth to the woods to get nesting materials.At one point, he seemed to make an abrupt decision to stop at the very top of the ‘rookery’ island. Interestingly, he landed right above some occupied Cormorant and Anhinga nests, barely visible here in […]

Getting ready . . .

Today is Erev Rosh HaShanah, the eve of the Jewish New Year.  We’ve spent the past month turning our attention inward, toward the deepest part of our souls, in preparation for the Days of Awe that begin with Rosh HaShana.  This evening begins a season of holidays, remembrances, and reflection for Jewish people all over the world.   At […]