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Vero Wetlands
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Dec 21, 2018 15:04:50   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Sashayed through the Vero Beach Wetlands the other morning. Sadly its deteriorated over the last two years and its unfortunate the city has failed to maintain this wetland....the cells now full of Rushes, loaded with muck, only one or two bodies of water are really available for viewing, walkways and observation platforms are rotted and unusable. Use to be a great place for Snail Kites but have seen only one or two this year, none lately. I do believe this is where all the fire ants in Florida are born and then transported elsewhere (gotta watch your step)... ...However there were still a few interesting birds available. The Kingfisher just appeared and as usual, I wasn't ready but took the shot anyway.

It had a fair amount of Roseate Spoonbills, Herons, Storks, the usual ducks, a couple of Mergansers and of course Ospreys and the one and only Painted Bunting I've seen there.

Kingfisher Hovering
Kingfisher Hovering...
(Download)

Roseattes in Formation
Roseattes in Formation...
(Download)

Roseattes Landing
Roseattes Landing...
(Download)

Painted Bunting
Painted Bunting...
(Download)

Merganser
Merganser...
(Download)


(Download)

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Dec 21, 2018 15:14:44   #
jak86094
 
Blaster,

Thanks for sharing a nice, varied set of shots from the Vero Beach marshlands. I think Cities are being forced to spend more and more resources on basic services, leaving it to private organizations (Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, and local organizations) to try to maintain these valuable locations. Being in Dodgerland, I wonder what the financial impact of their moving their camp to Arizona has had on Vero Beach? In any event, thanks for sharing some of the beautiful and interesting species that rely on that marshland. Photos like this may help stimulate interest in maintaining these unique ecosystems.

jak

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Dec 21, 2018 15:19:34   #
Delderby Loc: Derby UK
 
great pics

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Dec 21, 2018 15:29:14   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
jak86094 wrote:
Blaster,

Thanks for sharing a nice, varied set of shots from the Vero Beach marshlands. I think Cities are being forced to spend more and more resources on basic services, leaving it to private organizations (Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, and local organizations) to try to maintain these valuable locations. Being in Dodgerland, I wonder what the financial impact of their moving their camp to Arizona has had on Vero Beach? In any event, thanks for sharing some of the beautiful and interesting species that rely on that marshland. Photos like this may help stimulate interest in maintaining these unique ecosystems.

jak
Blaster, br br Thanks for sharing a nice, varied ... (show quote)


Thanks, This is definitely a candidate for Audubon or other organization's oversight (imho)...Agree money is always an issue and I believe after 11 years, the economic impact of the loss of Dodgertown is long past. However, the tax base in Vero is surely sufficient with John's Island being in the top three most expensive zip codes in America. Discussions with some other individuals strolling out there, management of the wetlands hasn't been a priority with the individual managers of the plant....Cheers

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Dec 21, 2018 15:30:12   #
angler Loc: StHelens England
 
Good set.

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Dec 21, 2018 15:32:05   #
UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT
 
Very nice set, Blaster!

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Dec 21, 2018 15:38:35   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Thanks Mike, appreciate it.

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Dec 21, 2018 15:39:08   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
angler wrote:
Good set.


Thanks Angler

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Dec 21, 2018 18:07:00   #
rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida
 
Fine set indeed!!

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Dec 21, 2018 18:27:39   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
rlaugh wrote:
Fine set indeed!!


Thanks Bob, appreciate it

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Dec 22, 2018 07:19:35   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Nice variety!

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Dec 22, 2018 07:28:13   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
Thanks Nimbus, appreciate the comment, Merry Christmas....

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Dec 22, 2018 08:44:30   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
It is sad to hear about the wetlands. At the Viera Wetlands there are similar problems - it is not a park but part of the Sewer Plant, so in spite of the fact that hundreds of people visit daily - from all over the world - there are no funds designated to keep the roads and berms maintained. The problem with plants is that cattails will take over and fill the ponds, so those who maintain will use herbicide occasionally to kill them back. They are purchasing a harvester which will clear large areas of cattails to let rushes and other aquatic plants have a chance. I am upset with their use of herbicide, though - they have killed back the plants away from the shoreline all around the ponds, and this seems to have discouraged a lot of birds.

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Dec 22, 2018 09:59:26   #
Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast
 
sb wrote:
It is sad to hear about the wetlands. At the Viera Wetlands there are similar problems - it is not a park but part of the Sewer Plant, so in spite of the fact that hundreds of people visit daily - from all over the world - there are no funds designated to keep the roads and berms maintained. The problem with plants is that cattails will take over and fill the ponds, so those who maintain will use herbicide occasionally to kill them back. They are purchasing a harvester which will clear large areas of cattails to let rushes and other aquatic plants have a chance. I am upset with their use of herbicide, though - they have killed back the plants away from the shoreline all around the ponds, and this seems to have discouraged a lot of birds.
It is sad to hear about the wetlands. At the Viera... (show quote)


Gone up there numerous times this year, seems like there are less and less each time, except for muck and rushes. Hopefully winter will bring back more species...

They're doing some major work at the Orlando Wetlands Park cleaning out that one really large cell on the left as you walk in, they're supposed to start putting water back in it in February

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Dec 22, 2018 11:34:43   #
JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles
 
Your sad story is unfortunately not the only one. Nice photos.

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