March 8, 2009 - Apalachicola National Forest

Over the President’s Day weekend I joined my friend Alan Knothe and members of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society for two days of birding. We explored areas from Apalachicola to Bald Point and Alligator Point and up into the Apalachicola National Forest. We drove in a caravan of cars and as we approached one of our stops we noticed a car stopped right in the middle of the road. Then we saw the driver out taking a photo. So we also stopped and found this very cooperative juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk sitting on a tree stump about 20 feet away. Pretty soon cars from both directions were stopping and people were getting out to take pictures of this bird. It seemed totally unconcerned and finally flew away to pursue some item of food.

hawkredshoulderedjuveastpoint20090215

This Blue-headed Vireo was found in the Apalachicola National Forest. It and two other types of vireos that are found in the western United States were considered to be one species (Solitary Vireo) until they were split about 10 years ago. Note the distinctive white “spectacles.” These birds nest all across Canada, in the far northern parts of Minnesota and states to the east, and down into the Appalachian Mountains. They are considered to be a Neotropical migrant but some spend the winter in the far southeastern United States.

vireoblueheadedapalachicolanationalforest20090216

While we were eating our lunch at Fort Gadsden State Park, we watched several Green Anoles scampering about and doing their territorial display. In case you were wondering if I am color blind, they can change their color to brown very quickly. Part of their display is to extend their throat to show a colorful “dewlap”. This one would typically do a few “push ups” first before showing its colors.

anolegreenfortgadson20090216

I included this photo to show you the long tail of the Anole. They aren’t very big; the total length, including the tail, is about 8”. They are a native species and can be found south of a line from North Carolina through Tennessee and East Texas.

anolegreenfortgadson20090216