GREEN HERON, STA-5, CLEWISTON, FL

SINGING EASTERN MEADOWLARK, STA-5, CLEWISTON, FL

SAVANNAH SPARROW, STA-5, CLEWISTON, FL

   This morning we went on an Audobon of the Western Everglades (AWE) birding field trip to Stormwater Treatment Area-5 (STA-5) in Clewiston, FL.    This is a great birding hotspot.

   Even though the face and bill of the bird are somewhat obscured, we were able to ID this bird as a Savannah Sparrow (in particular vs. the Song Sparrow, which is very similar) as follows:

• Brown above and white below, with relatively thin brown streaks on breast and flanks.
• Central dark brown spot on chest.
• Notched tail - this differentiates the Savannah Sparrow from the Song Sparrow, which has a rounded tail.
  

MANGROVE CRAB ON TREE, DING DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SANIBEL, FL

   The Mangrove Crab and the Hermit Crab are the only crustaceans that climb trees to protect themselves from their predators. 

OSPREY IN NEST, DING DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SANIBEL, FL

   You can just see the Osprey's head just sticking out of the nest.

SNOWY EGRET, DING DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SANIBEL, FL

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN IN FLIGHT, DING DARLING NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, SANIBEL. FL