Saratoga, Celery Fields

Lee had planned to go to an air show in Lakeland, an hour from Sarasota, on our final day there.  Because of the weather forecast he chose not to go, and it was a good thing.  Either a tornado or straight-line winds flattened several tents at the event and caused a hanger to collapse! 

I spent the morning with my friend Janet, while Lee puttered around the motor home getting more familiar with it.  In the afternoon, Lee and I visited "Celery Fields", an area that had been agricultural, but in 1994 was converted to wetlands, as it had been originally.  It was done in part to serve as a filter for the watershed, but, as one would expect, birds and other wildlife love it too. So, more photos of birds!!    These were all taken by Lee with his giant lens, since we couldn't get very close.

There were lots of Red-winged Blackbirds. 

and a large flock of White Ibises

that took off in flight

Awkward on land, so beautiful in flight!

Can you spot the Great Blue Heron in this photo??  He blends in with the reeds!

My best guess, a Limpkin, new to me.

A flock of Glossy Ibises

And finally, a sign to be read by humans, with a long list of do nots!