Traveling Ted

Prior to a couple of weeks ago, I have only seen maybe two or three American bitterns in my life and only two least bitterns. Although, relatively common, they are exceedingly difficult to see. They live in cattail swamps and blend in extremely well. Unlike herons or egrets, they are shy and elusive and stay hidden in vegetation.

It is crazy that I have only seen three given how much time I have spent in a canoe and birding, but that is how rare they are to see. This narrative changed a bit as I have now seen two in a matter of seven days.

The first one was at Baker’s Lake in Barrington. I was standing on a floating pier overlooking a cattail marsh at Ron Beese Park. It was literally right in front of me for two or three minutes, but I never saw it. Then it took off flying. I was only able to get a shot of it flying away.

This last weekend, ebird reported an American bittern at LaBagh Woods. I went over there and two nice young ladies saw me with my zoom lens and pointed me in the right direction. This bittern was on a log out in the open. It was most likely me migrating farther north. They usually do not appear out in the open like this, so I feel fortunate to have been able to take these photographs. Spring migration is off to a good start.

On my last day in El Valle Danton in Panama, I walked this rural road towards a rugged highland called La Mesa. I got there early and the fog was thick. I was looking for tanagers, toucans, and trogons. I did see a couple toucans, but not much luck on the other species.

Tanager palooza in Panama featuring nine different species. In the Chicago area we only have two tanagers. In Panama, there are more than 50. Here are nine with species name and where they were photographed.

Pic 1 - Bay-headed tanager - Las Nubes feeders - Cerro Azul
Pic 2 - Blue-gray tanager- El Valle Danton
Pic 3 - Crimson-backed tanager- El Valle Danton
Pic 4 - Golden-hooded tanager- El Valle Danton
Pic 5 - Gray-headed tanager- Pipeline Road - Gamboa
Pic 6 - Hepatic tanager- Las Nubes feeders - Cerro Azul
Pic 7 - Rufous-winged tanager- Cerro Azul
Pic 8 - Speckled tanager- Cerro Azul
Pic 9 - Silver-throated tanager- El Valle Danton

Happy Easter for those that celebrate. If you are celebrating with someone, then I hope you toucan have a Happy Easter.

What a day. It started in Panama City with an Uber to Albrook Mall. From there, I wanted to take a bus to Soberania National Park. I tried to figure out the bus kiosk, but it asked to enter my bus card. I went to information to inquire where I get a bus card, and the kind lady walked me halfway across the mall to the only window where you could buy a card with cash from a person. You have to have exact change to buy a card and they do not accept credit card.

Then I had to find the bus to Gamboa. Google Maps said it left from section D. Sure enough, here comes the C790 to Gamboa. It deducted 25 cents for the one hour ride to Gamboa. The Panama Canal helped subsidize my trip I am pretty sure.

The bus dropped me off in the tiny town of Gamboa. As soon as I got off I started birding with jungle on one side and the Panama Canal on the other. I hiked about four miles into Soberania National Park, looking for birds the whole time.

I finally turned around at around 3:00 pm. I had to walk fast on the way back as the last bus leaves at 5:30. I passed this couple on the way out on the trail. Then they passed me on the road with their car. They stopped and asked if I needed a ride. I was still about 2 miles from the bus stop and the humidity had taken its toll. I gladly accepted, and they drove me all the way back to Panama City. They were travelers from Poland and were so nice.

I will post more about this adventure in the coming days.

Over Christmas break, I booked six days in Winter Haven, Florida just southwest of Orlando. There was a small lake within view of my upstairs balcony. In fact, I saw a bald eagle and an osprey fighting while enjoying my morning coffee. The first thing I did when I got there was walk around the lake. I registered 31 species of birds including several lifers. Here are the highlights

Pic 1 - Great egret
Pic 2, 3, 4 - Wood stork
Pic 5 - White-winged dove - lifer
Pic 6 - Limpkin
Pic 7 - Loggerhead shrike
Pic 8 - Little blue heron
Pic 9 - Belted kingfisher
Pic 10 - Great egret with I think a tricolored heron
Pic 11 - Great blue heron
Pic 12 and 13 - Bald eagle eating a fish
Pic 14 - Anhinga pointing the way to the beach
Pic 15 - Wood duck