Spring songs

     It's that time of year once again when the birds have decided it's time to sing.  Whether it's to attract a mate, establish territory, or perhaps simply for the joy of singing, the warblers, vireos, thrushes, and others are all beginning to exercise their voices with a myriad of chip notes, whistles, calls and songs.  The beauty of it is, as a birder, you get to become acquainted with the different repertoires of the different birds, and spotting and identification become a little easier and at the same time a little more enjoyable.  The past several days, we have explored a new venue for Sharon and me, Princess Place Preserve.  This gem is tucked away about an hour's drive from us near the town of Palm Coast.  A mixture of Pine flatwoods, fresh water marsh and oak hammock, it is one of the most beautiful and productive birding arenas we have found.  The stars of the show the past few days have been the first wave of warblers we've found (specifically the Pine, Yellow-throated (see pix above), Northern parula, Prairie and Palm), our first Scarlet tanager of the year, Marsh wrens, a beautiful Summer tanager,  and a life photograph of a King rail (see these two below).   Our only regret is that we discovered Princess Place at the end of our three month stay.  But rest assured, we will make it one of our most visited sites when we return next year.  For now, let the music continue as we finish up here in Florida and join the warblers in their journey north.