For the Birds

I know whenever they conduct polls asking people where they would choose to live if they could live in any state in the country, Florida ranks right up there after California and before Hawaii. I also know that this opinion has been generally formed through the artificial lenses of vacation. People are staying at hotels, eating yummy restaurant food, visiting the beach, and relaxing. Dang, you say to yourself, I'd like to live here. Well, I am about to shatter your illusions. Year round inhabitants deal with traffic clogged roads, hurricanes, insect and wildlife infestation, and oppressive humidity to name a few. However, there is one thing that makes it all worthwhile for me, and that is the vast variety of birds. Hundreds of them. Four hundred and eighty-five to be precise.



This is the Sandhill Crane. As soon as I saw this bird, I was smitten. How could anyone not be? Standing 4 feet tall they are an amazing sight, truly a joy to behold as they go about their business, intent on living life on their terms. While the Sandhill Crane is a seasonal resident in various states, the Florida species resides here year round.

Photo from birdsphoto.com