Kraft Azalea Park

After an email from an old connection reported more White Pelicans on another nearby lake I finally made it to Kraft Azalea Park. Been past it a time or two but never stopped by. Now that I know it is a couple minutes from school it may have to become my new lunchtime stop! As the name suggests, there are a lot of Azalea bushes in the park weaving around beneath massive Cypress trees on the shore of Lake Maitland.



There were several White Pelicans hanging out with hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants out on the lake but it didn't make for a very interesting picture. Skittish Wood Ducks were closer so I tried to get a shot.



What I really wasn't expecting was the large numbers of Great Egret and other birds nesting in all of the oaks near the street. Many were displaying while other gathered sticks to add to their small nests.



It is a beautiful sight but there branches are often in the way so getting a clear shot is not easy. Plus, the angle of the light at this time of day makes shooting from the park toward the street difficult since the sun is blaring straight at you.



A great little spot to take a break and do a little bird watching. Bet it is fun during peak migrations. Later, after grabbing the boys from school and heading home, we found the Pelican has returned for a while back at Lake Davis.