PIPLs, SNPLs, WIPLs, et al.

Yes, it was another bird survey day. We have a lot of those in the winter, and yes, for a sea turtle girl, this is officially winter. Once that thermometer hits 80 degrees, it's time for a parka (if you don't believe me, just ask my co-workers...)

A lot of these will seem redundant, but it's time for 'peep' lessons. For today, it's just the following:



SAND (sanderlings)



WIPL (Wilson's plover)



PIPL (piping plover)



SNPL (snowy plover)



with some WILL (willets)



BRPE (brown pelicans)



and GBHE (great blue herons), thrown in for good measure....

Now let's try that again...



Can you tell what's in here? There are just two species...



Here, we have three... It helps to click to see them better, and pay close attention to leg color and their beaks!

I'll try to photograph a north shore survey soon so we can add some to the cast of characters in the park :)

Plovers Everywhere!

Today was the first day of the statewide snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) census in Florida. Mark called me early this morning to ask me to come in on my day off... that's what happens when you answer emails first thing in the morning, including responding to your boss! I need the time though, and the OT is good too.

It's been awhile since I've done a complete SNPL survey -- we did a lot of LETE (least tern) last Thursday, and I did as much SNPLing at Perdido Key as possible Saturday before the storms blew in, but I haven't seen an entire beach since I came back last week. Today was the first, and it was the mother of all beaches -- Santa Rosa. It's a huge beach with lots of habitat for plovers. There aren't that many SNPL nests, but there are a lot of SNPLs and it's a banner year for WIPLs (Wilson's plover) too. I thought it would take two or three hours, but it took all day! It was great to be out and about though, and there were several snowy family groups. They always make me smile -- those little puffballs of tiger down tripping over their own feet and hiding in footprints are hilarious.

I'm really enjoying being back at the park. It was good to spend time with my Mom, but I lose myself there. I feel forced to fit the roles everyone wants for me, and forget what's important to me. In time, I get confused and start losing myself. I don't meet society's expectations for me -- I should be married with 2.4 kids, working a job that I have no passion for, just trying to get by. Instead, I am alone in my life, following my dreams and working towards what I hope will be a wonderful future. I just hope it won't be alone.