Morning Notes from Florida

I woke up even earlier today and headed out the door into a blanket of thick fog. Through the mist I hear the garooing of sandhill cranes flying high overhead and unseen. Curtains of mists travel across the grass like small, kindly spirits. I take my steaming cup of tea and stand near the mailbox where the mailbox post serves as an easy rest for my cup so I can raise my bins to my eyes and try to identify birds through the fog.

My brother told me yesterday that one of his neighbors told him with some concern that a strange woman was wandering around and looking at his house. He told them that was his sister, but the neighbor said, NO, it was some safari woman! Stephen reassured them once again that yes, that WAS his sister! Sure enough, it was me, all decked out in my new birding vest and birding hat. With binoculars on my chest and my Nikon D80 dangling from my arm with its 70-300mm lens pointed downward until needed I suppose I must look quite a sight walking around this suburban neighborhood!

Once my tea is gone I walk down to the bridge that spans the canal and just sit and listen to the morning. While the sun does its best to burn through the morning fog I watch and listen to a small bird moving about in the reeds. Suddenly it pops out into view and I am so pleased and surprised to be looking into the masked face of a Common Yellowthroat! So far each day I have been here I have had the pleasure of spotting at least one new bird. This is my first new bird for today. As I walk back to the house a trio of purple martins twitter and call overhead. My brain and body are quite confused for it feels like summer to me, and I am so happy. I am walking around with a stupid grin on my face because earlier this morning I received this text message from my husband:

"37 years ago today I asked you to marry me. Just so you know, I would do it all again! I LOVE YOU and have a good day just knowing I am thinking of you."

Its going to be a good day!

Here's what's on the menu for later today: Babcock Wilderness Adventures


Lift List: 465
Year List: 180
Month List: 88
Florida Life List: 84
Florida Year List: 50


Note: My white morph Reddish Egret turned out to be a juvenile Little Blue Heron so I lost one species for now but I am sure I will see one before I leave Florida!