I love looking at birds close-up through binoculars and seeing just how beautiful they are, even the drabbest little brown sparrow. I find it interesting to observe birds and to learn about their feeding, courtship, and nesting behaviors. Apparently, I’ve become a birder.
An Addictive Hobby
Little did I know how addictive this hobby would become. Sometimes, it borders on obsession. Consider, for example, our winter-long quest for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, an endangered bird found only in the southeastern U.S. A reputedly good place to see the woodpeckers is Ochlockonee River State Park in the Florida Panhandle.
Backwoods pond at Ochlockonee River State Park
On four separate occasions, we camped at Ochlockonee in an attempt to find this elusive woodpecker. Of course, we did plenty of other fun things while we were there—hiking, biking, and kayaking—but we always kept an eye out for the woodpecker. We saw Red-bellied, Pileated, and Downy Woodpeckers, but the Red-cockaded Woodpecker eluded us.
Why The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Is So Hard To Find
It’s not surprising that we had difficulties finding the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The number of birds has decreased from 1.5 million to about 12,500—less than one percent of the original number. They’re in trouble because the old-growth longleaf pine forests that they need for nesting and foraging have been steadily disappearing.
Large stands of longleaf pine are protected at Ochlockonee River State Park, and artificial nest cavities are placed in trees throughout the park to lure the birds to nest. This helps the woodpeckers because it can take them up to three years to excavate a nest cavity. They have the unusual habit of excavating their nest cavities in live trees. The sap exuding from the nest hole helps to keep predators at bay.
Brown-headed Nuthatch exploring woodpecker cavity
In our attempt to find the woodpeckers, we hiked and biked past the nesting trees numerous times. No luck. And then finally, on our last visit to Ochlockonee State Park in late March, we were setting up camp when a ruckus overhead accompanied by bits of flying bark caught our attention. A pair of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers foraged in the pines just above us, and we enjoyed a wonderful half-hour of observing their behavior. We tried to find them again during our couple of days in the park, with no luck. But we were delighted that they paid us a visit, however unintentional.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker, finally!
More Birding Nearby
On the same trip, we enjoyed two days of birding at nearby St. Marks Wildlife Refuge, established in 1931 and one of the oldest refuges in the country. Biking the dike trails is a terrific way to explore the backcountry of the refuge, and we were rewarded with scores of wading birds, shorebirds, and ducks.
Pond at St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge
For the first time, we camped at Newport Campground, a nearby Wakulla county park with full hookups just a few miles from the refuge. An added bonus is that a kayak launch for the St. Marks River is located right next to the campground. It was the perfect spot to spend a couple of days immersed in exploring the refuge.
Kayaking the St. Marks River
Newport Campground, Wakulla
Are you ever leaving Florida? :) Safe travels!
R & K
Ha! Yes, we finally left Florida a few days ago after 4 1/2 months…sad to leave my folks, but excited for the adventures that lie ahead!
Whoo…Hooo Jackpot for you and Eric! And you got the best viewing! That is a good looking, elusive RCW in the first picture. And as you can attest, patience is a virtue. Great bird photography!
FINALLY we got to see that RCW! Of course, you got to see it (and photograph it) the very first time you visited Ochlockonee State Park. We just couldn’t leave Florida without seeing it. :-)
I am certainly not a birder but I have to say that watching birds while in Florida has delighted me to no end. It must have been thrilling to finally find this endangered woodpecker. I love following your blog for so many reasons, not the least of which is seeing such beautiful images of so many birds. I know that we will need to come back to Florida to do the interior of the state, as I now feel we have just scratched the surface.
Oh LuAnn, thank you for your kind comments! I’m really happy that you enjoy our photographs, especially because your photography is always so gorgeous. When you’re ready to return to Florida, I hope we can meet up and have some adventures together.
Your pictures just make me sigh over their beauty. Every one of these looks like a professional photograph. Clearly it isn’t the camera, it’s the photographers. Just love those pictures of the red cockaded. I am so green with envy. But the poor little thing must have trouble walking around with all those bands on his legs. Are that many really necessary?
I was wondering if anyone would notice the bands on the woodpeckers. I had the same thought — did they really need to put THREE bands on that tiny little bird leg? I’m happy you like our photos, but I’d say you’re getting some really fine photos yourself with your new camera!
I have found that I am not a little bird birder but I do love the large birds. I’ve really enjoyed them this winter in FL. You did an awesome job photographing so many birds.
Haha, I totally get it — for the longest time I wasn’t a little bird birder either. But then I discovered the brightly colored warblers — and now I even appreciate the beauty of the different sparrows. Although in truth my attention span for observing little brown birds is very short when compared to my attention span for roseate spoonbills.
Your patience paid off! Great captures of the RCW, Mr. Heron with his dinner and friends. Whose pedicure do I see? Is it Eric’s?
You and my sister think alike! Eric’s pedicure, indeed. ;-)
Incredible pictures, Laurie! So talented! It was a joy to see you while we were in Eastpoint. I know it is hard leaving your folks, but safe travels and I hope to see you again soon. I will be up to see mom in just a few weeks so I plan to see your folks as well. We love them, they are family!
Barb, I’m so happy to hear from you — and to reconnect after all these years. We’ll definitely be returning to Eastpoint, and I’m hoping to spend more time with you next year. It makes me feel good to know that you’ll be visiting my folks — you’ve been family ever since we first met at age 5! Love you.