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March 26, 2009 - On the watch for wildlife at state park6A I MARCH 26, 2009 1 SUFFOLKTIMES.COM On the watch for wildlife at state park Many years ago when Barbara and I camped at We also saw yellowlegs feeding along the edge of the Myakka State Park in Florida, we often took early- lake. As we followed down the opposite side, we saw morning walks. I can still remember seeing the ibis working along the shore and great blue herons vultures that roosted in the nearby trees overnight feeding. Close to the boat the anhinga, or snake bird, come alive as the morning warmed up and they took could be seen as its head popped up to the surface off one by one to catch the thermals. of the water, the body completely submerged below. One morning we saw 10 or 12 piglets rooting in the No wonder they are called snake birds. soil for their morning breakfast of grubs, worms and After the boat ride we took a tram through the anything that moved. All this activity was under the upland, where we saw more alligators, huge turtles, watchful eyes of the mother. This habit of rooting has hawks, wild turkeys, and ospreys nesting on high -ten- given the wild pig bad name, for it rips apart the soil, sion wires. One of the things we were especially look- which soon dries up and becomes useless, ing for was an armadillo. Later, while driving around To add to the excitement of that day, the park, our grandson finally spotted a big boar came into our campsite and FOCUS ON NATURE one and followed it into the woods to helped himself to what we had left on the picnic table. I tried to photograph get a picture. It all reminded me of years ago it and was promptly told, "Keep away!" when we were younger and spend by two rangers carrying rifles. They ing time working with manatees informed us that this was a mean guy in Florida with the Army Corps of that could be dangerous and they were Engineers. I had spotted something going to put it down. that looked like a cat moving through And so with memories of the past PAUL S TOUTENBURGH the grass. I almost let it go at that to the present, we recently visited Myakka State Park but there was something different about it. So with again. With us this time was our grandson, whose en- camera in hand I was soon hot on the trail of this thusiasm for the outdoors and love for animals kept unknown creature. us on our toes as we enjoyed the park. Firstwe took I caught up with my cat -size prowler and recog- an airboat ride out on the lake. These airboats are nized it as an armadillo, an animal thats no stranger some of the largest ever built They have to be used to Florida. I watched this hard - shelled animal plow because the invasive water hyacinths have multiplied through the dry grass till it came to a soft spot where to such a degree that propeller - driven motors get it disappeared into its burrow. It is in these burrows entangled in the greenery. The airboat is propelled that they raise their young. above the water and can go anywhere there is a foot Armadillos are prolific diggers; they dig many of water to skim over. burrows, as well as dig for their food. They are insect The ride on the lake afforded us great views of eaters, dining on underground creatures such as alligators, herons and egrets, and even a rare view of worms and grubs; occasionally they will eat ber- a limpkin and its young. I can remember years ago ries and fruit We watched one at a park feeding on reading in National Geographic Magazine about a oranges that had fallen to the ground. Their one bad trip down here by Dr. Arthur A. Allen, professor of habit is that they occasionally dig up people's lawns ornithology at Cornell, with the express purpose of looking for food, but the good part is they eat grubs photographing and documenting this elusive bird. that are harmful to lawns. We, too, wanted to find the limpkin and heard I marveled at the armadillo's flexible armored of a special campground some years ago where shell, a perfect fit, making it quite predator - proof. they had been sighted. After setting up our tent Like so many other animals, the armadillo is having and fixing supper, we sat down at our picnic a difficult time making it today with its loss ofhabi- table and, to our surprise, there in front of us was tat and maxis speeding automobiles. a limpkin walking past at the edge of the water Our day at Myakka was a day well spent We searching for its supper of snails. enjoyed all the wildlife and spending a day with our Back on the lake we saw our old friend the osprey grandson. We look forward to more days spent in the fly by with its early- morning catch. The ospreys field while here in Florida, and then its back to spring should be back home on the North Fork by this time. on the North Fork. BARBARA STOUTENBURGH PHOTOS This large airboat takes Myakka State Park visitors around the lake to view the many birds and alligators living there. The limpkin — with its favorite dish of snail — is very se- cretive in its movements, yet we were able to photograph it as it fed a mere 10 feet in front of us. The anhinga tries to escape detection by lowering its body beneath the water, leaving only the long neck and head showing at the surface, which is why it's called the snake bird. You'll often see this bird with its wings spread out to dry in the sun. PAUL STOUTENBURGH PHOTO Perhaps the reason the armadillo, an ancient species, has done so well is its armor- plated shell, which prevents entry by almost any predator. Today speeding cars and loss of habitat are its worst enemies. E ��RYoNE ASS If you would like to receive The Suffolk Times in your mailbox every Thursday, please complete the attached coupon and mail it with a check or money order to: Times/Review Newspapers, P.O. Box 1500, Matfituck NY 11952 or call 631- 298 -3200 to place your order. Please allow three weeks for delivery. NAME: ADDRESS: TOWN: STATE ZIP: PHONE: - One year in Suffolk County $35 O One year out of Suffolk County $44 ❑ One year In/out of Suffolk County $40 ❑ SUFF0LKT|MBIOM | MARCH l6.lOO9 ' PAULSTOUTMM WR(71N e anhinga tries to escape detection by lowering i dy beneath the water, leaving only the long neck ar id showing at the surface, which is why it's called th ike bird. You'll often see this bird with its wings sprea 'to dry in the sun. On the | | watch for W,I[d ['I state park ` BARBARA STooravowxr*ovo This ir6oa takes K4yakka State Park visitors around the lake to view the many birds and alligators living there. The kmpkin-- with its favorite dish of snail --isvery s cmtivein its movements, yet *e were able ^mphom&m| it as it fed a mere 10 feet in front of us. Many years ago when Barbara and 1 camped at Myakka State Park in Florida, we often took early - morning walks. I can still remember seeing the vultures that roosted-in the nearby trees overnight come alive as the morning warmed up and they took off one by one to catch the thermals. One morning we saw 10 or 12 piglets rooting in the soil for their morning breakfast of grubs, worms and anything that moved. All this activity was under the watchful eyes of the mother. This habit of rooting has given the wild pig a bad name, for it rips apart the soil, which soon dries up and becomes useless. To add to the excitement of that day, a big boar came into our campsite and helped himself to what we had left on the picnic table. I tried to photograph it and was promptly told, "Keep away!" by two rangers carrying rifles. They informed us that this was a mean guy that could be at and they were going to put it down. And so with memories of the past to the present, we recently visited Myakka State Park again. With us this time was our grandson, whose en- thusiasm for the outdoors and love for animals kept us on our toes as we enjoyed the park. First we took an airboat ride out on the lake. These airboats are some of the largest ever built. They have to be used because the invasive water hyacinths have multiplie to such a degree that propeller -driven motors get entangled in the greenery. The airboat is propelled above the water and can go anywhere there is a foot of water to skim over. The ride on the lake afforded us great views of alligators, herons and egrets, and even a rare view of a limpkin and its young. I can remember years ago reading in National Geographic Magazine about a trip down here by Dr. Arthur A. Allen, professor of ornithology at Cornell, with the express purpose of photographing and documenting this elusive bird. We, too, wanted to find the limpkin and heard of a special campground some years ago where they had been sighted. After setting up our tent and fixing supper, we sat down at our picnic table and, to our surprise, there in front of us was a limpkin walking past at the edge of the water_ searching for its supper of snails. Back on the lake we saw our old friend the osprey fly by with its early-morning catch. The ospreys should be back home on. the North Fork by this time. PAUL STOUTENBURGH PHOTO 'haps the reason the armadillo, an ancient species, has ie so well is its armor - plated shell, which prevents entry almost any predator. Today speeding cars and loss of )itat are its worst enemies. vve also saw yellowlegs feeding along the edge of the lake. As we followed down the opposite side, we saw ibis working along the shore and great blue herons feeding. Close to the boat the anhinga, or snake bird, could be seen as its head popped up to the surface of the water, the body completely submerged below. No wonder they are called snake birds. After the boat ride we took a tram through the upland, where we saw more alligators, huge turtles, hawks, wild turkeys, and ospreys nesting on high -ten- sion wires. One of the things we were especially look- ing for was an armadillo. Later, while driving around the park, our grandson finally spotted one and followed it into the woods to get a picture. . It all reminded me of years ago when we were younger and spend- ing time working with manatees in Florida with the Army Corps of Engineers. I had spotted something that looked like a cat moving throug the grass. I almost let it go at that but there was something different about it. So with camera in hand I was soon hot on the trail of this unknown creature. I caught up with my cat -size prowler and recog- nized it as an armadillo, an animal that's no stranger to Florida. I watched this hard - shelled animal plow through the dry grass till it came to a soft spot where it disappeared into its burrow. It is in these burrows that they raise their young. Armadillos are prolific diggers; they dig many burrows, as well as dig for their food. They are insect eaters, dining on underground creatures such as worms and grubs; occasionally they will eat ber- ries and fruit. We watched one at a park feeding on oranges that had fallen to the ground. Their one bad habit is that they occasionally dig up people's lawns looking for food, but the good-part is they eat grubs that are harmful to lawns. I marveled at the armadillo's flexible armored shell, a perfect fit, making it quite predator- proof. Like so many other animals, the armadillo is having a difficult time making it today with its loss of habi- tat and man's speeding automobiles. Our day at Myakka was a day well spent. We enjoyed all the wildlife and spending a day with our grandson. We look forward to more days spent in the field while here in Florida, and then it's back to spring on the North Fork.