Finally a Crested Caracara

Friday 30th. This was our last full day and the last chance to try and see something rare and possibly a species that was endangered.
We looked at the possibilities of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve that was within a 23 minute drive, but eventually decided to go a little further and see if we could find the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
The area that we chose was the Fred Babcock-Cecil Webb State Management Area and it was easy to find as Tucker's Grade was clearly signed from Interstate 4. As we drove to this 'managed wilderness area' we searched the verges for road-kill hoping to see the rare Crested Caracara, without success. It is a very large area with some good roads and an entrance fee of $6 per car. A guide or volunteer would have been very good to see as we felt afterwards that local knowledge would have been beneficial.
We persevered driving slowly down the roads some of which were metaled, some were graded and some were only dirt, but all were passable. This is the dry season and caution would be needed during the summer months.
Our first find of the day was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. We had to be patient with this one as he kept disappearing around the back of a pine tree. When scoped we could see his red head and chin which identified him as male.
Then, for me, the most interesting birds of the trip. We saw a male Northern Harrier flying around us and within minutes there was a female flying too. We had great views for several minutes and these two birds made the effort worthwhile.
We called it a day and then headed for Naples and The Cheesecake Factory. We knew that Penny had been sacked but I found Sheldon Cooper tidying up the rest rooms. He is very good at that.
The following day we headed north for Orlando International and our home bound flights. We looked out for road-kill and on State Road 31(this bisects Babcock) there was a group of black birds on the road. They were Vultures and Crows and a Crested Caracara. It flew up, went into a tree and then within minutes it flew away. Cameras and binoculars which were all packed were not needed as we had clear and close views of this endangered species.
We have great memories and on the last three consecutive days we had a 'first'. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail logo bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Tarpon Bay followed by the two Northern Harriers and then on route to the airport the endangered Crested Caracara. The most successful few minutes was at Bunche Beach with the 'pipers' and Black Skimmers.
We were in London on Sunday and to carry on with our birding theme we visited the Natural History Museum in Kensington. It is always worth a visit, but our intent was to see the Wildlife Photographers Exhibition. The images of the various species of Birds of Paradise was worth the effort. These photographs taken by Tim Laman, the Portfolio Winner will live in my memory.