We took yesterday off -- a rare thing on a weekend. The weekend part is rare only because we usually choose to go places on weekdays, leaving Saturday and Sunday for people who work the rest of the week (as we used to once upon a time). But the day off part (on any day of the week) is a little more rare this year than usual for reasons I've already mentioned probably too many times.
Ann Olesky Park, Collier County Florida
So of course since this is Southwest Florida during the snowbird season, we were not alone in our getaway plans. September's devastating hurricane didn't seem to stop snowbirds from coming to this area for the warmer Winter. Although we try to pretend otherwise after all these years of wintering here, we are included in that number so we can't complain (too much). Saturday traffic was seriously heavy and the lots at our original destinations, Corkscrew Sanctuary and CREW Environmental Area, were nearly full.
We wanted to avoid the crowds, but we didn't give up. First of all, we found wildlife along the canals on the way to Corkscrew. After driving along that Canal we headed to Lake Trafford, another place where we always see birds.
The collage above shows how the area along the Canal near Corkscrew would appear to people in the cars that hurry by intent on getting to the "official" wildlife areas. There are several spots along the road to pull off and the shoulders along the road are wide. All it takes is a little time to look and focus and you will see wildlife. Mostly birds, but also take a closer look at the top left photo above. Or below:
Keeping a close eye on the passer-by (me), our first alligator of this season was about six feet away as I walked along that shoulder.
Six feet away and about six feet long.
This is the closest I've ever accidentally come to an alligator (as far as I know anyway). It was a good reminder to look down as well as up.
Lake Trafford
Ann Olesky Park on Lake Trafford was next on our itinerary and it was far less crowded. The people who were there were mostly families fishing. It was a beautiful day -- slightly overcast which made it perfect for walking and watching. It was 70 to 75 degrees F, only a bit cooler than normal this month -- our cold spell seems to be over. And of course that last sentence goes far to explain why there are so many people here this time of year.
Lake Trafford is more noted as a fishing place than a birding destination and the people we see there always seem to be locals. And we always see birds. Not as many this time as we have seen, but enough to make me happy!
Though we'll try to make the next outing on a less popular day of the week, we were happy with our Saturday. We saw some good birds (and other interesting creatures). And we were grateful just to be relaxing outdoors on a beautiful day. It was a good one.
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities. Thank you to the hosts.
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD Wednesday; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; SATURDAY CRITTERS and RATHER B' BIRDING