As I write this, it is the end of August and Tropical Storm Ernesto is just making landfall in South Florida. The wind gusts outside the house have not exceeded 20 miles per hour, but already the power has been threatening to go out. Such is life here in South Florida.The August gallery is now complete and features many pictures of the Snail Kites and butterflies in Loxahatchee. This year has been a great year to observe the Snail Kites. I’ve counted at least eight individuals in and around the National Wildlife Refuge. If you wish to find these endangered and interesting birds, you’ll need to arrive early in the morning.
Some early migrants started appearing in middle to late August. Black-and-white Warblers, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Blue-winged Teal, Belted Kingfisher, and Osprey have returned in small numbers.
There is also a Butterfly World gallery for August. Butterfly World is a great place for testing new equipment, practicing macro photography, and techniques for tracking and photographing small songbirds. The downside is that they do not allow you to use a tripod or monopod, so it’s also good for practicing your camera hand holding technique. It is also a nice place to spend some time with the family.
