Some said that it could not be done.
Some said they even knew it.
We tried.  We tried.  We gave our all.
Turns out, we could not do it.

That was the theme last Wednesday evening as we watched in vain for the Yellow-crested Caracara at Oleta River near Miami.  This South American stray has been hanging around this park for about a year.  This was our fourth attempt to see it and once again, we whiffed.

So, the next morning it was off to Pine Woods Park at daybreak in search of Scaly-breasted Munias and Spot-breasted Orioles.  The munias were not to be found but, just as I was turning around to head back to the car, two orioles flew in to give me life bird #543.

They seemed to be in nest-building mode as one was carrying either a piece of string, wire or the longest pine needle I've ever seen.

I also picked up a Painted Bunting to ease the pain of not seeing the munias.

Upon arriving in Key West on Thursday, we unloaded the car beneath the thunderous maneuvers of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.  Apparently, our street provides them with their flight path as they were doing fly-overs at about 100 feet above the house.   Crank up the volume and watch the video to get a small sense of what these sounded like.  Six going over the house at the same time was quite the spectacle.

The Angels were in town for the air show this past weekend.  Thankfully, they only do this every other year.  The daily jet traffic from the nearby naval station is more than enough, let alone having these guys go zooming by as many as six at a time.

Today, Henry and I went back to the Key West Botanical Garden in search of one more new species for the year to get us to 10 for the month of March.  We got two.  A Black-throated Green Warbler (top) and a Prairie Warbler (bottom).

I arrived at Lake Woodruff NWR just before dawn this morning hoping for a Barred Owl.   Got it.  But, unfortunately no photos.

While keeping a watchful eye for gators on the trail, I observed 39 other species including this Limpkin.  Florida is pretty much the only place you can see a Limpkin in the U.S.

There was no shortage of photo opportunities for Green Heron.

Got another decent look at a Pileated Woodpecker.  But, still not the shot I'm looking for.

The warblers are starting to show up including this colorful Northern Parula.

Tomorrow, we head to the Miami area with a few target species on tap before completing the trip back to Key West on Thursday.

We made it out of the Keys today heading for the Daytona Beach/Orlando area to complete some chores this week.  The road from the Keys to mainland Florida has been closed intermittently over the past few days because of wildfires.   More than 4,000 acres have burned along US 1 the past few days.

It's been mostly yardwork and housework during March.  Henry has been busting his hump, helping his Grandma by mowing the artificial turf and watering the concrete pavers.  Very helpful, indeed.

O.G. is getting ready for his 1st birthday next week.  He understands that once he turns one, he has to start earning his keep too.  No more lounging around in bed all day.

Birding in Key West has been pitiful in March.  Just pitiful.  Henry and I recently managed to add a Northern Parula Warbler to the 2025 species list before getting mauled by mosquitos at the Key West Botanical Garden.

Today, we stopped at Green Cay near Boca Raton in search of a Least Bittern.  We heard one in the thick aquatic vegetation.  Later, this one briefly became visible among the reeds.

We added four more 2025 species on the day including Magnolia Warbler, American Redstart, Swallow-tailed Kite and Purple Martin.   This Yellow-crowned Night Heron was snoozing just off the boardwalk.

The swamp is just one enormous all-you-can-eat salad bar for the Purple Gallinules.

The birds should begin arriving in Key West next week.  So, we hope add to YTD total of 266 before month end.   We're now three weeks away from what should be a big-time week of birding across Texas.