Build it & They Will Come: Orlando Wetlands Park

Often when I travel, I look first and ask questions later. This preserves an element of discovery and surprise. My first impression of Orlando Wetlands Park was that of a pre-historic landscape. I was soon absorbed by the scads of birds, like a kid in a candy store; at one point the Vermillion Flycatcher I had seen "advertised" at the entrance flew right by me! So, it was much later that I read the park brochure..


According to the brochure: "Orlando Wetlands Park represents the first large-scale man-made wetland designed to treat reclaimed water and provide wildlife habitat". From the plethora of birds-in-residence, it would seem that they have been..um..wildly successful. This is hopeful..as we may indeed be able to restore a semblance of the wild places we have destroyed.

There were Black Vultures.

E-Gadwall.. a two headed duck!

A pair of Sandhill Cranes.

Heading to visit the vultures..

Who soon left the scene

Heh, heh..

Savannah Sparrows flitted in nearby brush.

A Common Moor Hen..

Or two..

Uncommonly beautiful.

As I wandered, dusk approached..

Now what is this? A Limpkin I later learned, a life bird, very tame, and unconcerned with me..

I have way too many pictures of this Limpkin

As I've mentioned: pre-historic landscape

Why did the Tricolor Heron cross the road?

A covey of Coots heads off one by one..

Dusk is in the wind

And on the wing..

Female Boat Tailed Grackle in the fading light

And her mate.. I'm blurry, but don't you love my blue hue?

An Anhinga roosts for the night

Sun is setting

Cormorants settle in, and the vultures too..

Good night Gracie..

I come more and more to the conclusion, that wilderness, in America or anywhere else, is the only thing worth saving ~ Edward Abbey