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Here Is Some Of Our Local Visiting Wildlife

Photos by Kim Perras
Click on Photo to view full size

The Pond, trees and flowers here attract a number of wonderful animals that you might see during your stay with us.

Including, but not limited to...

Eagles, Hawks, Storks, Cranes, Owls, Squirrels, Raccoons, Lizards, Frogs...
 and yes Snakes, Spiders, Caterpillars, and all those Multi-Legged Creatures we just love.

Please remember these are Wild Animals.

Sandhill Cranes have been visiting our campground almost every day this year.

These birds are large but very gentle and will not be expecting a chase.

As the days reach 100 Degrees, please observe all our wildlife from a distance.

We are lucky to share our home with them and will happily answer questions or share some binoculars with you.

If your lucky you might even get to see the Sandhill Cranes Dance and Play with a small stick. It's quite the show.

Their sound is deep and loud, being heard from great distances...We are hoping to get a video and add it to this site soon.

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes (Grus Canadensis) are long legged, long necked, gray, heron-like birds with a patch of bald red skin on the top of their head.

Cranes fly with necks outstretched like geese whereas, herons fly with neck tucked in on their backs.

For positive identification, look for reddish skin on the top of the crane's head.

Two subspecies of Sandhill Crane occur in Florida. The Florida Sandhill Crane (G. c. pratensis) is a year-round breeding resident.

The Greater Sandhill Crane (G. c. tabida) is the larger of the two subspecies and winters in Florida, but nests in the Great Lakes Region.

Sandhill Cranes nest during late winter and spring on mats of vegetation about two feet in diameter and in shallow water, and two eggs are normally laid.

Cranes are monogamous breeders and are quite omnivorous, feeding on seeds, grain, berries, insects, earthworms, mice, small birds,
snakes, lizards, frogs, crayfish, but "Do Not Eat Fish" like herons.

Resident Sandhill Cranes are usually seen in very small groups or pairs.

In November and December, however, large flocks of Northern Cranes move in, more than doubling the population in the state,
and then leave during March and April.

The Sandhill Crane is a close relative of the nearly extinct Whooping Crane, which is being reintroduced into the state.

Young Sandhill Cranes weigh about 12 pounds, males are larger than females, but external markings are identical.

Cranes live to be older than most birds, some reaching 20 years old.

Must be all that nice Florida Sunshine.

More Listings To Come Soon