Fort De Soto Spring Migration, 8 Apr 2024
Spring migration is underway at Fort De Soto Park! I arrived Sunday evening and will be spending the week at the campground. While setting up my camp Sunday evening, a flash of yellow caught my eye and I immediately recognized a Hooded Warbler on the ground not 10 feet away. I was stunned. I stopped hooking up the water hose to the camper van and ran inside to grab my Nikon Z8 and 800mm lens. Although it was getting dark, especially under the tree canopy, I managed to get a few shots off. The Hooded Warbler stayed on the ground mostly, occasionally hopping up on a low branch to grab an insect. What a great way to start the week!
Hooded Warbler. Photographed at my campsite at dusk and nearly dark. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor 800mm f/6.3 lens at f/6.3, 1/800 sec, ISO 7200.
This morning I was in the park at sunrise and started at the flagpole. I didn’t see anything. I visited the flagpole two other times throughout the day and didn’t see anything in the area.
Next I went to the East Beach turnaround area. There I found a very friendly Prairie Warbler who would fly right up to you. In fact, at one point I was resting my camera against my body and the prairies flew up to me and landed right on my camera. I was stunned! He was in hot pursuit of an insect and just completely lost all inhibition. He hung around for quite a bit longer and I took about a thousand photos. Here’s one I edited this evening.
Prairie Warbler. Mid-song. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 lens at 1/1600 sec, f/6.3, ISO 5000.
I walked the trail at the end of the turnaround and only saw one more Hooded Warbler and a Black-and-white Warbler. I met others on the trail who said that on Friday there were several Worm-eating Warblers on this trail. We didn’t see any today.
I then went over to the East Beach picnic area where there were dozens of Hooded Warblers. They were mostly feeding on the ground, mixed in with the Palm Warblers.
Hooded Warbler. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 lens at 1/1000 sec, f/6.3, ISO 4500.
About mid-day I spotted a Scarlet Tanager on the ground amongst a group of Northern Cardinals and European Starlings. I tried to get a good photo, but this bird was very skittish. When he flew off I noticed he seemed to favor cedar trees. This isn’t the best shot, so something I’ll try to improve on this week.
Scarlet Tanager. Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 800mm 6.3 lens at 1/640 sec, f/6.3, ISO 450.
One other notable bird I spotted was a single Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the East Beach picnic area. I was unable to get a clear shot, so that’s also on the list. Tomorrow I will start at the East Beach turnaround area, then go over to the water fountain at the Ranger’s station. That’s usually a productive area.
My aim is to do a daily blog this week as this is my last Florida birding trip this summer. After this week I will be leaving Florida and moving to Lexington, Kentucky. At that point Tampa Bay Bird Photography will become “Bluegrass Birding.” Exciting times ahead!
Happy birding!
