Day 7: Orlando Wetlands (not in Orlando)

 Day 7: Friday, February 28 - Economic Boycott Day - Orlando Wetlands

We tried not to spend any money today but we needed gas and lunch.  We bought our lunch from Popeye's Fried Chicken which has many black-owned franchises, managers and customers.

Kevin had recommended that we visit Orlando Wetlands outside of Titusville.  It provides natural water treatment for the city of Orlando with an extensive wetland and pond system.  It is home to a great variety of waterfowl and wildlife.  Instead of driving the levees as we did at Merritt Island, visitors walk or take an electric tram.  The trams were busy! We chose to walk the 3-mile birding loop.

Walking along the levee, we encountered alligators up close. Visitors were warned to stay at least 25 feet away and we tried to do that! We saw an abundance of wading and swimming birds, little songbirds flitting in the trees, various blackbirds, vultures and osprey of course. As we neared the end of the first loop, we had to decide which fork to take to return to the parked RV. The longer path included a boardwalk which I had heard was not to be missed. Of course I didn't want to miss out, so I took the boardwalk path.  Bill had seen enough and took the more direct path back. 

Just before that same junction, we came upon the pair of Sandhill Crane and their two chicks. They literally walked along with us for about 100 feet - very up close and personal. That encounter was worth the whole trip to me.

My path also took me took close to a couple of very large alligators snoozing in the warm sun. They definitely were not interested in me, but I gave them as wide a berth as possible. To get to the boardwalk ahead, I had to pass by this big fellow.

From the boardwalk, I looked across to a cypress island where hundred of large wading birds have made their rookery - Wood storks, American Egrets, Snowy Egrets and especially Roseatte Spoonbills. On the nests were young birds, fledged and just beginning to test their legs and wings. Just a few feet away from the boardwalk, a juvenile Spoonbill treated me to a show as he/she was learning the Spoonbill feeding technique.  This along with the Sandhill chicks, made this day memorable. 

More photos of the day are on my blog at:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ApgJfUzCsTdNhNmDA

20 bird species identified today and 23 alligator sightings:

White Ibis    American Egret    Limpkin    Anhinga    Coot        Snowy Egret    Blue Heron    Boat-tailed Grackle    Bronze Grackle    Common Grackle    Blue-winged Teal    Red-winged Blackbird    Blackbird    Osprey    Sandhill Crane    Wood Stork    Roseatte Spoonbills    Black Vultures.

The 3.5 mile walk took me about 3 hours.  I was really tired by the end but it was worth it!

After lunch at Popeye's we were back to our "campsite" at Kevins to do laundry, shower and prepare for the next day's travel.  We had plenty of left-overs from two nights eating out to make our supper. 

Day 6: Titusville - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Day 6: Thursday, February 27

We slept comfortably in the RV after much needed showers last night. The new mattress for Bill's side seems to be working well for him. The new black-out curtains for the front are also a success.  They install inside the front windows, so we don't have to install the heavy exterior cover and deal with it wet in the morning.

We left for Merritt Island NWR around 10:30 and found the Visitor Center closed.  It appears that the remodel which started last year is a complete rebuild.  I wonder if it will ever be completed given the actions of the current regime.

We saw the expected Ospreys and American Egrets on the drive out; a Bald Eagle flew overhead as well as a large flock of Black Vultures.  When we turned toward Haulover Canal, I spotted a very large flock (50-100 birds) of white pelicans flying circles over Mosquito lagoon.  

At Haulover Canal we saw at least 3 manatees up close and at least a couple more across the canal.  I say at least because I can never be sure if I've seen the same one more than once. We also viewed a very large yacht going through the draw bridge one anhinga actively fishing.  Temperatures will be in the high 70's today and sunny; conditions are great!

From Haulover Canal we drove to Bio Lab Road.  We can usually count on at least a few alligators on this drive.  We saw quite a few birds and just 3 gators. I identified 12 species of waterfowl but no white pelicans:

Cormorants    Tricolor Heron    Purple Gallinule    Glossy Ibis    Little Blue Heron    Coot    Wood Stork    American Egret   
Snowy Egret    Glossy Ibis    White Ibis    Roseatte Spoonbill    Anhinga.

After leaving Bio Lab Rd, we found a shady spot for a leisurely picnic at the Hammocks Trailhead. (Hammocks are slightly raised islands in a swampy area.  We have walked this trail before, but not today.)

On the way to Black Point Wildlife Drive, I spotted a Belted Kingfisher perching on the utility wire.  They are so distinctive that they can be id'ed with a glance.

Black Point Drive yielded 14 different species (not counting many duck that I couldn't see well enough to id and small birds that I didn't even try):

Tricolor Heron    Little Blue Heron    American Egret    Glossy Ibis    White Ibis    Snowy Egret    Anhinga    Blue-winged Teal    Coot    Black Skimmer    Northern Shoveler    Lesser Yellowlegs and the ubiquitous Black Vulture and Osprey. 

No Spoonbills on this drive, which is unusual.  All the other species we have seen here consistently. This is late in winter and many of the waterfowl have flown back to wherever home is. I think I counted 21 different species of waterfowl, vultures and birds of prey. We spent almost 5 hours at the Refuge.

Kevin joined us for dinner at el Leoncito, our favorite Titusville restaurant featuring Cuban and Mexican food. I had fried whole red snapper, served with tostones, black beans and rice. A real Caribbean treat,  it was delicious even if overcooked a bit.

Link to today's photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/sZ5GVUBupXq4Ykhh8