One of our favorite areas to visit for the wide variety of plants and wildlife is the agricultural region of Hardee County, Florida. The area is a vast expanse of farms growing citrus, blueberries, tomatoes and other vegetables, and cattle. Separating the farms are areas of swamp and forests. The diversity of the land is the main reason for a large variety of wildlife. On our most recent trip, we recorded over 60 species of birds.
A typical trip involves driving slowly through the area with windows down listening and watching. There are spots along the way that accommodate certain species. At one stop, we were treated to a somewhat domesticated wild turkey putting on a show. When he spotted us, he strutted in our direction while getting very vocal. We often see over 100 sandhill cranes and dozens of eastern meadowlarks.
Bobwhite quail, crested caracaras, and eastern bluebirds are also common. On this occasion, we had a pair of quail allow us to photograph them as they foraged through the grasses eating the seeds. It’s unusual to get an unobstructed shot of quail as they are typically skittish and quickly run for cover. Apparently, the seeds were tasty.
A trip to the region is never complete without an encounter with a pair of barred owls. We found the owls a couple of years ago with a tip from a fellow photographer. They live in a wooded area along a dirt road, miles from the nearest dwelling. The owls are usually very inquisitive and will appear to investigate us. On this journey, one of the adults came out to see us while the other remained hidden, even though we could hear it call. Most birds of prey have their young now and we suspected the owls were also caring for their young.
More photos have been uploaded to the following galleries.
