I was up early this morning to make the 2 hour drive to Venice, FL south of Sarasota by sunrise and on the road by 5 am. I wasn't really sure what to expect even though I had read lots online about it. The rookery is essentially a group of large bushes located about one hundred feet offshore in a small pond by the Venice Audobon Society offices, just off Tamiami Rd S in Venice. Right behind the Florida Highway Patrol office. It was still dark when I arrived just before 7 am, so hard seeing much of anything. I pulled into the parking lot across from the pavillion and pond and could make out hundreds of birds in the rookery just off shore. Great egrets, great blue herons, ibises, anhingas, cormorants and many others. A pretty amazing sight.
I spent almost 3 hours taking photographs filling an 8GB compact flash card completely. I was alone for the first hour before a couple from Waterloo, Ontario joined me. I picked up a few tips about Gitzo tripods which I have been looking at. Much cooler today than yesterday with a chilly wind blowing but I persevered in shorts and sandals! The sun came out occasionally but for the most part it remained overcast most of the day. Lots more photos to process.
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