Migration

Here in the Sunshine state of Florida, we are seeing the evolving migratory pattern of our "avian friends" moving from their familiar haunts to ports northward. The last of the ducks is always the Blue-winged teal. Several months ago, we could literally walk across the backs of the ducks from one shore to the next. Now, however, there is a completely different scenario. Bluewings, Shovelers, and an occasional Scaup are the only "northern" water fowl still hanging on. We'll head north in the next couple of week, following warblers, the other fowl, and the sparrows. But we have a feeling that the Blue-winged teals will follow us. They seem unusally content here in the warm climes of the southeast. Tomorrow, Sharon and I head south for the Keys and the Dry Tortugas in seach of those birds which are in the midst of their journey north as well as those who don't feel the compulsion or the need to come any further north than the warm (very warm) climate of southeast Florida. We'll keep you abreast of what we find down in the deepest southern realms of our beautiful country.