FLORIDA highlights

I started off my trip to Texas with a detour to Florida to video a few target species. One of the highlights there was an airboat tour of Lake Kissimmee to see Snail Kites. I had several fantastic encounters with the kites. Although I was focusing on video I did manage to crank off a few stills.


Another amazing experience on the boat trip was seeing a Sandhill Crane on the nest just twenty feet away... really neat!


The road into the boat ramp is one of my favourite places for birding in Florida. You get great opportunities for photos and video work there. Here is an example.


Nearby Three Lakes WMA was good for birding but a huge Cottonmouth crossing the road while I ate a picnic lunch was a stroke of luck.



Vultures and Crested Caracara were both common in the same area. At one roadside deer kill there were at least fifty vultures including this Black Vulture with a wing tag. I haven't found out the background on this yet but will post when I do.



So after a fantastic start to my trip in Florida I am now off to Texas to meet Ethan. Looking forward to a couple of weeks of great shooting!

BACK FROM MANTA

Just back in Quito after three days on the beach near Manta at the Atamari Resort. Getting there and leaving were a bit of an adventure, but the lodge was in a great setting at the top of a cliff with a great pool.

We flew in Guayaquil and got a transfer with a rather crazy driver. He had a propensity for spending far too much time in the oncoming lane, and surely must have gone through at least one set of brakes a week! Our journey with him ended short of the lodge when the only access road was blocked by a protest at a small beach town. This was a blessing in disquise!

The protest was over the closure of the local fish plants due to contamination of waters in the area.


We were allowed to wheel our luggage along the road past the protest, but no vehicles were allowed to pass. On the other side we were met by another (much better) driver. We arrived at the Atamari and had two and a half great days of relaxation there. The birding was pretty good and it was fun to watch the constant parade of vultures and frigatebirds that passed by at eye level.




After lots of cloud and some rain in the mountains it was great to enjoy some nice heat and sun at the resort. Here is a sunset just for you Ethan!



I would be amiss not to mention the return journey from the lodge to Quito. We decided to get a transfer to the Manta airport which was only a two hour drive. Our driver was supposed to arrive at 5:30 am but was late... and yes it was the maniac who had brought us most of the way from Guayaquil... a recipe for stress to be sure. The two hour ride was terrifying at times as he hurtled around corners at high speed, several times almost hitting a horse... a mule... a dog... and finally we were sure that a pig was surely toast. However a screeching four wheel skid saved the porkers appointed date with the bbq for another day. We both were massively relieved to arrive at the airport and bid this idiot goodbye! The flight on Tame to Quito was a smooth and comfortable contrast to this and we now are happily relaxing at the Sheraton.