Bill Tuckers Field Journal

Saturday September 19^th was Coastal Clean-up day in this area. I did my part, I think, as I had both boats out over the past three days cleaning various Rookery Islands in Charlotte, Sarasota, & Manatee Counties. I was mostly removing fishing line that littered the islands but did haul back a fair amount of other debris too. Removing fishing line from these islands is something I really do all year long as it is a major problem especially in the winter months. At some islands you can clean a bunch of line off and a week later there is fresh batch just waiting to entangle some poor bird. Then I have one island on a river I have never found an inch of line on, go figure.

I removed hooks and line from five pelicans. Only one had to be taken in to a rehab center the others were fine to be released once the hook was removed.

Weather over the three days was great, not once did I get rained on. Seemed like it would rain to the north or south of me or later in the night after I returned home.

I was very surprised to find one Island in Manatee County still had a good population of Magnificent Frigatebirds still hanging around including many mature males who are displaying the bright red inflated pouches. Normally these birds have mostly headed south by this time of year you begin nesting. I guess with the mild storm season thus far they have hung around longer. While the weather was perfect for an afternoon shoot at this location I had not brought camera equipment as I was only intending to clean up islands. I do know better than to do this. I will have to watch the weather and tides and see if I can get back out there in the next week or so..

Of course I ran into Mooch the dolphin a few times.

At this time of year in Florida we are in the rainy season and there are many areas that are flooded. Some of these areas make excellent spots to photograph our local birds as they forge for food. This was an excellent nesting year for the wading birds and there are more than normal out there.

One such local area is County Road 74 here in Charlotte County. It runs from US RT 17 to US RT 27. Much of the land on this road is either farmland or cattle pastures. The drive from one end to the other takes around forty-five minutes without stopping. Nothing is guaranteed along here but there normally is a wide variety of subjects from every wading bird to Owls & Crested Cara Cara.

Subjects can be a bit more skittish out here but if you move slow and quietly you should have no trouble. Through the years I have found the morning hours to be better. Ones longest lens is probably the best choice.

One note of caution, best to pull completely off the road along as CR74 has a lot of  truck traffic.

I’ve always wanted to visit and photograph areas of Costa Rica. Last week I found some really cheap airfare so I am finally going for a few days, mostly to explore trying to find some of the better lodges / areas to later return to and photograph.

 I’ve always been concerned about traveling to Costa Rica with expensive camera equipment as I’ve read numerous accountings where vehicles were broken into and all the photographers equipment was stolen so this trip will also give me a chance to see what ones best options are without having the bigger / expensive glass with me.

If anyone would like to share there experiences with areas / lodges in Costa Rica feel free to drop me a note.