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.
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| There were Black Vultures. |
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E-Gadwall.. a two headed duck!
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| A pair of Sandhill Cranes. |
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Heading to visit the vultures..
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| Who soon left the scene |
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| Heh, heh.. |
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| Savannah Sparrows flitted in nearby brush. |
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| A Common Moor Hen.. |
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| Or two.. |
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| 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..
