Most of my posts are about pleasant things -- with the occasional rant about things that perturb me!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Florida Keys Hawkwatch

The Florida Keys Hawkwatch is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and conservation of birds of prey by committing to the long-term study of their migration through the Florida Keys.

For the past two days, I have had the extreme pleasure of helping count migrating raptors alongside Rafael Gálvez and Jim Eager at Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon, Florida.  Before yesterday, I had only seen 2 Peregrine Falcons. Yesterday, in only a few hours, I saw 163!   I also saw Kestrels, Bald Eagles, Hawks, and many more birds.  Words cannot describe what an amazing experience this was for me.  Rafael and Jim are the most dedicated and skilled researchers I have ever met.

If you ever find yourself anywhere in the Florida Keys (between September 15th and November 13th), stop by Curry Hammock State Park and watch this amazing group spot and identify these birds; you will be both inspired and enlightened.


For further info, go to the Florida Keys Hawkwatch website:
http://floridakeyshawkwatch.wordpress.com/


Just a few of the many, many birds I saw . . . 

















A beautiful sunset over the Florida Keys