As most of you know I was 'born and raised' in Arkansas and then lived many years in Texas. So I grew up knowing what a bobwhite was but it still thrills me to hear and see them along the Florida Trails.
I was walking very quietly on a trail at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve (from the Pruitt trailhead).
It is a road that is used by forest rangers and park personnel but it has a locked gate. You enter the trail through a small opening next to the gate. So it's an easy walk and you can see up ahead.
And so begins my bobwhite story.
I looked up ahead and a beautiful female was walking across in front of me.
She took her time and kept her eyes on me at all times.
I was surprised that she didn't fly away.
But she took her time while I stood still and took photos.
When she got across, she hid in the tall grass and watched me.
So I walked on by. After a few steps, I stopped to look back.
And that's when baby boy bobwhite came across headed for mama! (a male has white above the eyes and on the side of the face)
But then he saw me and froze.
And then he started walking towards me!
Mama bobwhite started crying...CHIRP CHIRP...over and over again.
And then she finally got concerned enough to intervene! She flew over him into the grass where they had started from and he flew off after her. WHEW! I guess he had never seen a hiker in a pink hat before! But I think he'll remember me from now on!
What a tale I had to tell when I got home. I saw lots of other neat sightings, a Checkered butterfly and beautiful wildflowers.
Have you seen a bobwhite or heard the bob WHITE call?
