Amazing !! That's how I will start this.

I left Pompano Beach , Fl and drove 2 /12 hours to Sanibel Island on Florida's West coast

and met up with Jay Paredes and Chuck Hersh and as soon as I opened my car door they announced the chicks have hatched lets go !

I quickly set up and trekked 3/4 a mile up the beach to find fellow photographers Hugh McLaughlin , John Cornell and Jim Urbach set up and snapping away and I quickly followed suit !

This all happened because of EPS member Hugh McLaughlin befriended a college student and helped her some with her photography, staying in touch from time to time and she in return
provided expected hatch dates , Hugh not only supplies her with SP images for her projects, but he gives her instant updates, including times of hatch and behavior, that helps fill out the research.

It was a beautiful two days with friends and nature.

My friend Gene Sinnema and I Started the day at Loxahatchee NWR in Boynton Beach, FL and we were rewarded with cloudy skies and few birds. Lox used to be my favorite haunt in the late 90's . Bummer.

We then proceeded to head up to Okeeheelee Nature Center in West Palm Beach, FL which is about 8 miles north of Boynton Beach. We were in search of Painted Buntings and we found what we were looking for ! We saw seven female Buntings at one time along with two male Painted Buntings. We both scored a few good images but we were severely hampered by two things. First were the squirrels. They were as many as eleven squirrels at one time eating the seed and chasing any bird that landed near them. The second came in the form of another photographer who meant well but ultimately ruined my best ever image of a female Painted Bunting!

This lady photographer had spread peanut butter all over the main landing perches for the buntings as well as a log they use as well. When I finally got an image I had hoped for it was smeared with Peter Pan Peanut Butter !~! ARRGGH !!! Look at that PB...where's the J ?

I ended the day at Long Key Nature Center in Davie and shot along side of fellow Everglades Photographic Society (EPS ) member Hugh McLaughlin. Hugh is good people. The light was good and several good images were made.

Here are two from Long Key. Both images are of a Cattle Egret. The top image shows the Cattle Egret in breeding plumage and the image below shows non breeding plumage.


Michael Wolf

My Website & Flicker Images