Trip Date: November 2018 | Location: Florida
When a business consultant offered us suite passes to the Florida vs. South Carolina football game, we couldn’t say no. With a noon kickoff, we decided to stay the night in Ocala, a short drive from Gainesville. Our room at the Shamrock Historic Inn was a quaint, comfortable spot just a couple of blocks from a bustling downtown. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at La Cuisine Restaurant before heading out for some birding the next day.
Paynes Prairie Preserve Birding
As usual, we got an early start and headed to the La Chua trailhead at the north end of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. We were hoping to find some birds and see the park’s famous wild horses. A friendly park ranger told us about the recent changes due to high water levels, explaining that the main trail now ends at the observation deck. The ranger also noted that Snail Kites are now a regular sight, as the park’s non-native vegetation has attracted a healthy population of invasive apple snails. We were amazed to see so many Limpkins, and a pair of wild boar feeding in the shallows. Among the 30 species we saw, highlights included a Bald Eagle, a Blue-headed Vireo, and a Pileated Woodpecker.
Our next stop was the nearby Sweetwater Wetlands Park, and it was a great find. After tries on previous trips, we finally got to see the famous wild horses! The park’s trails and boardwalks were amazing, and we quickly spotted a Sora, several Glossy Ibis, and a skulking Purple Gallinule.
University of Florida Gator Football
After a morning spent immersed in the quiet beauty of Paynes Prairie and Sweetwater Wetlands, we traded our binoculars for game-day spirit and headed into Gainesville for the main event. On the way through town, we passed a mural paying tribute to the city’s favorite son, Tom Petty. We arrived in time to watch the University of Florida band march to the stadium.
The game was a nail-biter, but the Gators pulled off a thrilling 35-31 win in the fourth quarter. It’s great to be a Florida Gator!
Trip Summary:
Trip Totals: 42 species • 0 life birds
Next Up: NYC Central Park Birding – An unforgettable urban birding experience with Birder Bob.
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