The Lakes and Spotting Baby Barred Owl

I swung by Lake Lancaster in the morning so I could hopefully get some better shots of the Solitary Sandpiper in daylight. Yep. Still in the same place as the night before.



Nearby, a Tricolored Heron was hopping around trying for minnows.



A high-pitched whistling alerted me to incoming Cedar Waxwings. The flock zoomed past and headed out over the main part of the lake.



Back at home I remembered to go out back and check the nest tree. The adult Barred Owls have been getting more and more vocal and for good reason. I can finally see a tiny head peering out of the nest. Yay!



It won't be long before I start hearing the wheezing call of our new owl. Maybe they will stay around the house for a while like they did last year.

The Return of a Sandpiper

It felt like we should be seeing arriving Northbound migrants. Sure enough, this evening a single Solitary Sandpiper was on the muddy areas of Lake Lancaster.



Over at Lake Davis, there are still a few American White Pelicans hanging around.



They soon soon began swimming around the lake's edge as the Sun headed behind the horizon.



I tried to get a shot of the first Mallard ducklings of the season but they scooted around the reeds too quickly. But then a female Common Yellowthroat popped out just before dark.



Should be seeing more migrants any day now.

Washington D.C. Birds

Back from our trip to Washington D.C. where we had a great time, even in the cold temperatures and the first measurable snow they have had in over 2 years. We got to as many sights as possible in 5 days. Our hotel was a few blocks from the Capitol building and we walked all over the place.



I had to restrain myself from actually 'birding' and enjoy the family and the sites. I haven't been back here since the Bicentennial year. We wanted to get the boys here before they got too old and off to college or elsewhere. But not having my binoculars for nearly a week was causing an itch in my brain a lot. Birding was on the back burner. But, it is something I do. Even while driving, sitting at work, walking into a store, anytime I can see or be outside. So, I did get some birds among the 1,600 photos I took.

One bird you can't miss is the American Robin. Whether they live here or are just returning, they were scattered all over the Mall, either on the grasses or laughing from the trees.



I was really interested that there were several birds that were banded! I think I saw 5 or 6 birds with multiple color bands.



The other birds you can't miss are House Sparrows (I even saw a few of those banded) as they chase one another through the hedges and leafless trees.



As we walked from the Jefferson Memorial across the inlet to the Tidal Basin I noticed a bird down below. We have Horned Grebes in Florida in the Winter but it is nice to add them to this list.



From the bridge, I could see another grebe off in the distance but is was close to the path heading to the other memorials. I hurried down and got a close view. Wow. A Horned Grebe transitioning into the next molt! We don't get that in Florida.



A small flock of Canada Geese flew over us but I barely got them in the frame. Later, we saw a couple from the tour bus.



We wandered through the FDR memorial next. It was much bigger than I thought it was. Most of the way through, there was a nice clump of trees toward the water and birds started calling all over. I wandered over, being tempted by an Eastern Phoebe.



Pulling me closer to the trees was a Song Sparrow that landed off to my right. Another nice find.



A bird began calling from the branches and I got even closer. A small figure was fluttering and gleaning insects. I was very surprised to see a Golden-crowned Kinglet in front of me! We hardly ever get them in Central Florida.



It was difficult to get a shot through the holly leaves but exhilarating.



Heading toward the Korean Memorial we noticed a shadow speed past us. It quickly emerged from the tree, swooped over the grass and landed in a tree up ahead. This Cooper's Hawk made an easy target as it sat a few yards off of the crowded sidewalk.



We made our way toward the Lincoln Memorial and I noticed a bunch of small birds hopping around on the grass. Dozens of them were advancing across the area and I finally got myself into a good poition to figure out what they were. They turned out to be Slate-colored Juncos.



I had the Oregon sub-species out West so this was a nice add to my Life List.



Finally, another species that is all over the area is the Common Grackle. You can easily dismiss these guys as they fly in on any easy opportunity to scoop up food like this popcorn at the National Zoo. However, they are hard to ignore when they catch the sunlight just right.



Not a bad set of photos during a 'non-birding' trip! I am over my binocular withdrawal. Now I have to sort through the rest of the photos for posterity.

White Pelican Mob

Getting home a little before dark tonight. The American White Pelicans are still flying in to scoop through Lake Davis.



There are many younger birds in this flock, now that I can stop and look for a little while along the shore.



Adults have a tab on their bills and they seem to be in the middle of the flock.



It was interesting to watch the flock. They would quickly move to a certain spot and then the leading bird would stop and turn. Next, all the other birds would form a loose circle and begin scooping in unison.



It seemed like most of this foraging lead to the birds just filtering water. I didn't see any real feeding. Fish levels must be down after so many days of birds feasting on them. However, this bird got one tiny snack.



Probably won't get in much more birding before we leave on vacation in a couple days. So much work before flying to Washington D.C. for 5 days. Maybe I can get a tiny bit of birding in during the trip. Though they are predicting snow. Brrrr.

Comet Pan-STARRS

Working dawn to dark most days now. Little time for birding except through the workplace window. Sigh. BUT! There is something new to try and photograph on the way home. Comet Pan-STARRS is set to show in the Northern horizon. Last night was suppose to be the best photo op as it was going to be next to the moon but it was overcast. Tonight we have some clear sky just in time. I headed to the parking garage at Target and scanned the skies.

It took a while but I finally found it dimly shining not to far beneath the Moon. It was said that we should have been able to see it at sunset but it took an hour afterward to allow me to find it. City lights probably didn't help. Harder still, try finding a barely there subject through a view finder for a time exposed shot. Took me awhile to get aimed correctly.



Later, I took a longer exposure with a bit more zoom. That shows as the comet becomes stretched out over time.



I might try again in the upcoming nights but I am happy I got any shots at all. If I don't get out again for this comet I will be sure to get out for the next comet ISON around Thanksgiving.

Red-shouldered Hawk and Bald Eagle Fledglings

I dropped the oldest off at school and headed to work by way of Lake Lancaster. I was scanning the water's edge for any new migrants when this Red-shouldered Hawk swooped down to try for breakfast. to my surprise, it didn't head back to the trees but, instead, stopped at the sign by the curb directly across from me.



On the way home, I decided to check on the Bald Eagle nest in Greenwood Cemetery. Finally, a day with out other humans. Plus, the eaglets were in view. One bird sat off to the side of the nest.



The other chick, looking more fierce, stood tall in the nest.



Across the way, one of the adults stands guard and waits for its mate to hurry back with a meal.



Nice to have a raptor day but still waiting for migrants to start heading North.

Yellow-rumped Warblers Bathing

Even when you are sick and heading back home you can still do some birding. I have a head cold and took my oldest to school and then headed back towards home. However, I had to stop when I saw birds flying over the road just around the corner and noticed then taking a bath in a small puddle by the curb. Yellow-rumed Warblers were streaming in for a splash.



Sometimes they would bathe in groups and some arrived alone, wetting their feathers and preening for a minute or two before heading back to foraging.



"Hey, guys! The water's perfect!".



I love to watch birds settle in for a bath. They just bend their lags and kind of roll into the water.



Then they just shake around with their head held high. Splash, splash!



A couple females find a puddle all to themselves.



There was a constant stream of birds coming and going. Hard to decide where to focus.



It almost looks like it is raining but this was just leftover water from the storm quite awhile ago.



You have to really tilt to get those neck feathers wet.



Or just dive all the way in!



"Give me that look again and will smack you, so help me..."



"I warned you!" •!Smack!•



The ripples settle quickly and provide some nice mirrored looks.



I could have stayed there all morning if it wasn't for this head cold banging on my sinuses...

1st Annual Birdapalooza

Have I really not taken any photos in a week? Pretty much. Been swamped at work and with planning for the 1st Annual Lake Apopka Widlife Festival and Birdapalooza. We were invited to do a banding demonstration by the Orange Audubon Society. How could I refuse?

Instead of doubling up on photos I will direct you to click on the photo below which will bring up my banding blog where it truly belongs. It contains a lot of photos from our day which you may enjoy.



Besides, once you are there, you can always explore all of our latest captures at the banding site! Enjoy.

Tree Swallows and White Pelicans

There I was, just casually heading to the store when they made me, made me, have to stop and get out into the wind. 14 American White Pelicans were floating on Lake Davis and feeding in the shallow water. They were so close I couldn't get the whole flock in the frame so I decided to just focus on one bird.



I walked down the bank and the whole flock decided to fly to the other side of the lake like something caught their attention. But I was now being surrounded by zooming little jewels. Tree Swallows were everywhere.



We had a strong cold front moving in and the wind was steady out of the Northwest. It is amazing that these little bird can find insects in such a wind, let along navigate against the 30 mph gusts pounding through every couple of minutes.



So they made me stop and stand in this cold, windy afternoon and try to capture their flashing colors. THey were easily using the gusts to perform hard banking moves to go back into the their foraging loops. Round and round.



The pelicans moved back around the lake and took some time out to preen directly in front of me. I couldn't tell if this guy was swallowing or regurgitating that head.



From out of the cypress trees a Yellow-rumped Warbler hopped along the sand for a couple seconds, grabbed a bug, and disappeared again.



It got so I could almost time some of the birds if I focused on a single bird and planned a little pre-focus. Still, it was hard to ignore the ones flying right past me.



Sometimes they even flew between by legs as I stood with feet wide apart to get some steadiness again the wind.



A couple hundred shots would have to be enough. I was getting too cold and I still had shopping to do. Plus, I will have to take time to look through all of these shots...