Lonesome Sandhill

I call this bird Mrs Sandie...I have been watching her through 2 nesting cycles and both ended with no colt to raise. her first try did get a hatched chick but it was lost in the first 24 hours...probably taken by the red shoulder hawk that hangs around...then, after 2 weeks of hanging around that nest and seeming mourning over the loss..she made another nest! Not too common and her mate..Mr HIll, was not too helpful. So I watched, took a photo or more at least every other day...last Monday was the 30th day of incubation...BUT, Saturday, a group of people had a big BBQ party at the park....for the first time I ever saw it, they launched many canoes, kayaks and rubber boats right there in front of the nest! caused Mrs Sandie to leave. The above photo is of her at the far end of the park, where she was pacing nerviously and I am sure was cussing out those picnic idiots, just as I was. I went to the park a day ago and she and mate hve left the area and the park service was mowing even closer to the water then before...some of the new mown area has never been mowed..ever. The park is called a recreation area...not a wildlife preserve or refuge so I guess people activities come before the wildlife....Shirley

What a sad tale this is a cracking photo Shirley, one of the very best I've seen from you yet - really brilliant - and with your text it does look like she has an anxious/sad expression.

xx

So sad and frustrating at the same time, lets hope they choose a quieter nest site in the future, as stated a smashing photo.

Nice shot Shirley accompanied by a sad tale.

That will likely be the last photo of Mrs Sandie until fall or even next spring as she and her mate have left the park...while Florida Sandhills do not migrate they do travel around within the state...some I see walking along the sides of the highway..even saw a pair in downtown Crystal River once. They generally nest in the same place each year...this is the 4th year I have watched the 2 pairs that nest at the park...only one colt raised in that time. Now to find some other interesting birds...hey!, I found a fenced field with several peacocks in it...the fence has me..how to get a photo and not the fence...has a ditch between the road and fence...there are lots of snakes in Florida too..many are biters and some even poisonous...3 kinds of rattlers, that I have seen at least...Shirley

Unfortunately nature can be cruel but still survives. Great photo by the way

Bazza

Shirley, thanks for sharing this story and photo..... nature can be cruel. Hopefully it will turn out well next time.

I wrote a email to the forest service about this ..the first was too nasty so I deleted and waited until I could write a more civil note..and sent it..and received a answer that they will look into my complaint and get back to me. I am still mad and sad...Shirley

Sad story ShirleyMarie, glad people like you take action.

Great photo and superb technique, you can really see the tension in her eyes, thanks for the story and photo.

A good read and a good photograph - I like how you've placed her within the square frame.