Since Flamingo rocked on our big day we decided to return on Monday. Eco Pond had similar birdlife with the addition of Sedge Wren. The ranger said Bear Lake Trail wasn't bad so we hit it. This was the best spot in the area with Yellow-throated Vireo, Least Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, numerous Magnolia Warblers and about 5 good flocks along the trail. The field right past the bridge into Flamingo had up to 4 different Western Kingbirds and a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. We soon headed for the keys so we could find a cheap hotel within an hour or two of Key West, only after birding and Chilly Willy's though. While working the same flock at the Audubon Center my dad called me up to inform us that the Lo'head had returned. We jumped in the car and took off. Phil's early optimism had faded after reports of the bird leaving, but now he was pumped to see this mega rarity. These newfound high hopes got us to Sugarloaf Key where the four letter words started flying out the window when we saw a long line of traffic that was not moving around mile marker 21. My second time chasing this bird and the second time US 1 has been closed down while I was driving down. We turned around to get some food and wait out the traffic.
 Frustration
Upset and extremely frustrated we walked back to our car thinking that it was just possible to make it to the fort before sunset. We inched our way towards the accident, and got a burst of excitement and energy when we finally got past the accident. We made it to the fort at 6:50 and I threw our entrance fee at the person standing there and said we did not need a receipt as I sped towards the parking lot with fading light. Phil was already not expecting too much, but both of us still put in a good 5 minutes of searching before I found the bird up on the hill. Both of us were extremely excited to see the bird and we found another birder in the parking lot who ran up to see it. After the most up and down chase I have ever been on we got a celebratory dinner where Phil said after that I could have anything I wanted. I think my year list stood at 285 on Monday night.
 Phil was amused by this chicken about as much as the Loggerhead
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