I ventured off to Tift Nature Preserve today. It's been about 15 years since I've been there. It's still a terrific place to view nature in its untouched form, although there are a few indications of man's intervention - all for the good of the nature preserve.
I hadn't even gotten into the park when I spied my first warbler, and I mean my very first, life list kind of warbler. As an examination of my photos later showed, this guy was a Yellow Rumped Warbler. He was perched up in a pine tree near the entrance of the park, flitting from branch to branch. I'm thrilled I got at least one identifiable photo!
The pathways through the thick cattails surrounding the pond were a bit intimidating. I couldn't help but be a tad afraid, given I was female and alone. At one time, during a stealthy stalking of a Ruby Crowned Kinglet, I was startled by the quiet approach of a middle-aged Amish couple. However, I was quickly put at ease once we chatted for a few minutes.
All in all, it was a very satisfying day, even though the winds were high and the birds kept to the low areas.
- Yellow Rumped Warbler - 1
- Ruby Crowned Kinglet - 3
- Blue Jay - 2
- American Robin - 3
- Downy Woodpecker - 1
- Red-Bellied Woodpecker - 1
- Northern Cardinal - 1
- Water fowl that I was not able to identify
The first bird I found, a Yellow Rumped Warbler, was sitting outside the main park area. This was a life list bird for me!
Another life list bird, this Ruby-Crowned Kinglet was flitting in and out amongst the brush along the main path.
Another mediocre picture of the Ruby-Crowned Kinglet.
Running out of things to take pictures of, I grabbed a shot of this Monarch.
I was very surprised to see this beautiful doe staring at me as I turned around to head back out of the preserve.