February 7, 2023
By Fran Wilcox
Alice Nissen and Fran Wilcox – Trip Leaders
6 miles
Although the weather became windy and we did have hints of precipitation, our Sheldon Lake trip was great. Nine paddlers met at the Garret Road parking lot and put in across the water from several trees filled with roosting Roseate Spoonbills.
We paddled south to the concrete put in and toward the dam where we had lunch in our boats. We had an abundance of headwind on our way to the turn, but we saw several Limpkins, which are moving this way from Florida because they eat our invasive Apple Snails. Natalie found empty egg casings as evidence! Next, we encountered two alligator heads peering at us from the water and another quite long alligator turning in the water in front of our group, so we paddled around and continued on our way. It was excellent birding! Lots of coots, yellow-rumped (or butter butt) warblers and red winged blackbirds.
We were rewarded on our return trip with a strong tail wind. We really only needed to steer our boats. In the marsh area a tri color heron and juvenile blue were also spotted.
If you’re patient, Sheldon Lake is a wonderful birding spot, but it took a while before the birds appeared.
The Group
From Left, Natalie W., Fran W., Naomi B., Christy L., Jane C., Tracy B., Mary S, Alice N., Amanda H.
Christy and Natalie Showing Off the New T-shirt design by Ann Derby