Summer Solstice
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive We couldn’t go the first day the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive reopened because we were dog-sitting Drogo and don’t like to leave him alone. But today, the second day, we were at the gate a few minutes after 7:00 AM, ready to bird, bird, bird. Lots of galenules, red-winged blackbirds, and great blue herons. Even a least bittern. Plus huge alligators, truly scary. Grant spotted the first one, just its eyes above water, but we could tell it was large. Lots to eat, I guess. The information says the 11 mile drive takes about 3 hours, but I was sure we could cruise through and be back at our house in time for our 9:30 covenant Zoom meeting. So wrong. Had to meet up via phone. Amazing. This area has the Christmas Bird Count inland record of 174 species, so I suspect that in the winter, I’d better plan on spending the day here, sitting in birder traffic. We are definitely coming back in July, when the swallowtailed kites group up before migrating south. ...