Resting
It took 7.2 miles of hiking and searching, but I finally got one! This snail kite proved mighty elusive as I saw it flying but could not get close as marshy water and what lurked beneath (can you say alligators and snakes?) kept me from venturing into a sketchy shortcut. When I did find a path (long and hot), it was not thrilled with my approach, so it took off long before I could get very close. Given that, I do really like the environment in which this beautiful male was resting. A lifer for me!
There are only about 1,000 snail kites in the US so they are on both the Federal and Florida the endangered species lists. Their food source is solely the apple snail, so as that population dwindles (loss of habitat) so unfortunately does this beautiful bird.
Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to view, like or comment on my photos!
© 2021 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Resting
It took 7.2 miles of hiking and searching, but I finally got one! This snail kite proved mighty elusive as I saw it flying but could not get close as marshy water and what lurked beneath (can you say alligators and snakes?) kept me from venturing into a sketchy shortcut. When I did find a path (long and hot), it was not thrilled with my approach, so it took off long before I could get very close. Given that, I do really like the environment in which this beautiful male was resting. A lifer for me!
There are only about 1,000 snail kites in the US so they are on both the Federal and Florida the endangered species lists. Their food source is solely the apple snail, so as that population dwindles (loss of habitat) so unfortunately does this beautiful bird.
Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to view, like or comment on my photos!
© 2021 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.