Yesterday, we combined a grocery trip to Gainesville with a birding visit to a new spot for us: Sweetwater Wetlands Park, a birding mecca of 125 acres of wetlands and ponds right in the city. While we saw dozens of neat birds, the star attraction was this small Sandhill Crane family.
As we approached, we saw several birders watching a Sandhill Crane.Then we noticed that they had a chick.There were two chicks.A family portrait.
After a stint of damp grey weather, we got a nice treat of our first crop of goslings this morning. I noticed the adult out back and was surprised to see she had a baby poking out from underneath her.
As I watched the youngsters quietly, a couple of braver ones headed out, and were soon joined by four others. Mom/or Dad joined them on the grass, keeping an eye on me.Pretty soon, all were foraging and I left snuck away, with plans to watch them in the days ahead. I hope they avoid the local cats and other predators – it is a tough environment in which to survive.
