Dr. Robert (Bob) Kelley, 1937-2006 by Joe Browder Lighted Him
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5530 Sunset Drive; Miami, Florida 33143 (305) 667-7337 Sept/Oct 2006 TAS Loses a Dear Friend Dr. Robert (Bob) Kelley, 1937-2006 By Joe Browder lighted him. Bob’s University of Miami academic life took that mind into the most eso- ob Kelley was a remarkable Pale orchids in the Fakahatchee, teric theoretical worlds. When our B man whose quiet ways belied his quicksilver spiders need to fight for the Everglades passions for nature, knowledge, on the old Deering and Biscayne Bay forced us friends and justice. For those of us estate, a blue water into the more awkward and remaining from the days of Polly Red- moccasin in Roberts messy world of political reality, ford, Alice Wainwright, Dade Thorn- Lake Strand, Encope Bob’s support was always ton, Charles Lee and Bud Owre, Bob tamiamiensis on the there. He loved it when the two was our bridge to the modern Tropical Loop Road, panther worlds intersected. A great Audubon. His dedication to the good- tracks in the Hole in physicist, Murray Gell-Mann, ness and importance of Tropical was the Donut, snow initiated the National Research as strong as his devotion to the ani- white Capers above Council’s first study of the Ever- mals, plants and wild places that de- the mosquitos on the glades in 1969, and as Audu- trail to Snake Bight, bon’s Everglades person at the owls calling early and late… so many time, I helped contribute to the study. TAS Native Plant & Book Sale elegant, fleeting experiences were Bob was thrilled, a few years ago, at the Doc Thomas House shared with Bob over so many years. when he met Murray Gell-Mann, who Saturday & Sunday, Like Frank Craighead, Joan Browder, came to us to refresh his Everglades November 4 & 5 Mel Finn, Renata Skinner, Charlie knowledge. Brookfield and others with whom we ur native plant sales are fa- had also walked, waded and canoed, Bob had a good eye for Blue-tongued Omous and fun. We have a great Bob was one of those great Ever- Voles. His intellectual honesty and his selection of South Florida plants and glades students whose mind worked disdain for puffery kept him from par- best when his feet were wet. knowledgeable sales people to help (Continued on page 4) you choose the best ones for your yard. Plants available are perfect for creating bird, butterfly and wildlife habitats and also help to conserve The Best of Panama Birding water. February 7-18, 2007 ropical Audubon Society once again partners with Exotic Bird- Also make sure to check out our T ing, an environmentally sensitive birding tour operator based great selection of used books for in Longmont, CO, for a professionally organized and conducted sale at cut-rate prices. All proceeds birding tour to Panama. The tour will be led by a master Panama- from the sale support TAS. Hours are nian birding guide and offers a unique mix of Central and South 9 – 5 on Saturday and 9 – 3 on Sunday. Come early for the best selection, stay American bird species in the area surrounding the Panama Canal late to enjoy the company. plus high elevation specialties and endemic birds of western Pan- ama. The tour is priced at $3,450 from Panama City, of which If you have birding or nature books you’d like $345.00 will be donated to TAS (that $345.00 is tax-deductible). For to donate, please bring them anytime during additional information, email Brian Rapoza at the posted sale hours. Books that are not [email protected], or by phone at 305-388-1544; or birding or nature books will not be accepted. No books will be accepted at anytime other contact Laura Fellows of Exotic Birding toll-free at 877-247-3371. than during the sale. 2 elagic birds, which include alba- White-tailed Tropicbird and Black he hit the pelagic jackpot. On a trip in P trosses, petrels, shearwaters, Noddy. Since these multi-day trips early July, an immature tropicbird flew storm-petrels, tropicbirds, were scheduled in April and early May, directly over his boat. The bird was as- boobies, jaegers and a few to coincide with spring migration, most sumed to be a White-tailed Tropicbird, species of terns, are those pelagic sightings took place during but at least one birder on board, Raul species that spend the ma- those months. What about the rest of “Rock Jetty” Urgelles, returned home jority of their lives at sea. the year, what about other offshore ar- that night troubled by the assumption. Occasionally, after periods eas and what other species are out Luckily, bird photographer Trey Mitchell of strong onshore winds, there? was also on board and was able to take birders may be able to spot several shots of the tropicbird as it flew these birds from shore. For the last several years, local bird overhead. The photographs were sent Otherwise, a boat is needed guide Larry Manfredi, who leads multi- to several seabird identification experts, to find them. In the Outer day boat trips to the Tortugas, has also and before long a verdict was returned: Banks of North Carolina, arranged offshore excursions to find wing feather coloration indicated the offshore trips dedicated to pelagic species. These day trips on bird was in fact a Red-billed Tropicbird, finding seabirds have been chartered fishing vessels, scheduled a species with only a handful of records taking place for years. As a during the summer months, have pro- in Florida. Inspired by this sighting, result, much is now known vided opportunities to explore waters off Roberto sailed again in early July, and about pelagic birding in that the Florida Keys, such as Islamorada this time found a Manx Shearwater! area. Over the years, a and Marathon Humps. These are areas This species, similar to Audubon’s number of rare birds have where upwelling occurs, carrying nutri- Shearwater but distinguished by its been found; many of these ents to the ocean surface. Schools of white undertail, is most common in the rarities, such as Herald and fish are attracted to these areas, in turn North Atlantic. Records of this species Fea’s Petrel, are now being attracting both anglers and seabirds. in Florida have previously occurred from seen regularly. Many of the On a trip he led this past June, an ex- fall through spring, so a summer sight- same species regularly cellent selection of pelagic species ing was very surprising. Roberto’s seen off North Carolina can were seen, including Greater, Cory’s sightings were not necessarily restricted also be found off the coast and Audubon’s Shearwaters, Wilson’s to seabirds; on an August trip, he and of Florida. Unfortunately, and Band-rumped Storm-Petrels, Bri- his passengers crossed paths with an Florida’s offshore waters dled and Sooty Terns and Brown ocean sunfish and two sperm whales! have remained relatively Noddy. The highlight for this trip, unexplored, and little is still though, was a Black-capped Petrel, Evidently, South Florida’s offshore wa- known about the abun- seen by several participants as it ters are more productive for pelagic dance and seasonal pat- passed within 100 yards of the boat. birds than ever imagined. Larry and terns of many of our pelagic This large petrel is known to occur off Roberto have clearly demonstrated that birds. For many years, boat Florida’s Atlantic coast from spring rarities are out there, just offshore, wait- trips to the Dry Tortugas through fall, but is rarely reported by ing to be discovered. In addition, spe- provided one of the few op- birders. It would be the first of three cies like Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, portunities in Florida to see rare-for-Florida seabirds found this once thought present only in very small pelagic species such as summer. numbers, but seen on most trips this Audubon’s Shearwater and summer, may in fact be more common Bridled Tern. For most bird- Local birder (and boater) Roberto “Toe” then previously believed. Each offshore ers, a trip to the Tortugas Torres has in recent years begun to in- trip adds to our knowledge, but much was the only way to see vestigate the pelagic possibilities right remains to be learned. What about Masked Booby, Sooty Tern off Miami’s coast. On trips this summer, other seasons, such as fall and winter? and Brown Noddy, all of he has been able to find many of the What about other parts of the state? which breed on the islands, same species usually found on Keys or For those with access to a boat and a Brian Rapoza’s Birding Report and Brown Booby, a year- Tortugas trips, including Brown Boo- sense of adventure, the possibilities for round visitor. It was also bies, which he and his passengers saw offshore discovery are endless. their only reasonable oppor- regularly at Fowey Rocks lighthouse. tunity for rarities such as On a couple of his excursions, though, Tropical Audubon Society (TAS) is a group of dedicated citizens 3) Enjoyment: as a society of members with compatible Drive; Miami, Florida 33143. The phone number is (305) 667- who care about the quality of South Florida’s environment. interests, to enjoy together the study and protection of nature. 7337. Membership rate, $20 per year. Please make your checks Established in 1947, we are a chapter of National Audubon We believe in the wisdom of nature’s design. We seek to foster payable to Tropical Audubon Society, and mail to our office Society and Florida Audubon Society. Our headquarters, the and promote ecological conscientiousness in our community.