We didn't catch a lot of birds but at least we caught them when the crowds were there.
Always a fun day to be outside celebrating Earth Day at Lake Lotus. You can view the blog post with a lot of photos on my other site at that link.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Alligator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alligator. Show all posts
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Counting Birds in the Rain for CBC
Well. That was fun. Forecasters were wrong. Again. We were suppose to have a few hours of good weather in the morning and then rain. The rain started just at 7 AM, the time we started searching for birds for the St. Pete Christmas Bird Count.
I met Bill Pranty at Sawgrass Lake Park at dawn. The rain had just started lightly but I stepped out to hear a Great Horned Owl. Good start, but the rain only got harder and the birds were avoiding the rain more than us.
It was so rainy I just left my camera in the car most of the day. Then, at 11 AM, the clouds broke and the Sun streamed forth. Meaning we only had 30 minutes of nice weather before lunch. Some birds began coming out and we eventually racked up 50 species.
At lunch we met up with another group and changed locations and eventually made it towards Roosevelt Wetlands. On the way (after getting lost for a bit) Bill spotted a large Monk Parakeet nest up in the power line structures.
Nothing too spectacular but there was a Blue-winged Teal and this massive alligator across the way.
Little Blue Herons are quiet common but I couldn't resist this shot of one feeding in the grasses.
Next, we moved to "The Wall" which is a mosquito control pond just outside of the landfill area. The water was full of ducks, gulls, and shorebirds. Spotted and Least Sandpipers were present but we saw more birds gathered down along the road. We shuttled down and tried to peek over the edge from the fence to count. Once the birds saw us they flushed but I did get a shot of a Greater Yellowlegs keeping watch.
Most of the ducks were Lesser Scaup. Canvasbacks were reported father out through scope views.
One batch of birds hiding beyond the fence was a flock of Northern Shovelers.
Heading off to a vacant spot near the interstate, we counted Killdeer (at least 14 in one small spot!) and other typical birds. I was transfixed by a large flock of Common grackles and tried to get some interesting shots as they streaked past just overhead.
Dark was fast approaching but we wanted to all get a look at the first pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks recorded for any St. Pete CBC. They were right where they have been seen for the past few days. This species is spreading rapidly all over the state.
When I look back on the day we actually had more birds than I thought. 72 species for me and Bill. I have compiled a list of things written down and remembered when I was without my notebook. Not a bad total considering the bad weather off and on. Reports after I got home are that we set a record of 167 species in the entire area! Previous high was 163.
Others have more counts to do this week but I cannot join them. Hope I can be part of future counts as it is always fun being out with good friends at any time. Next up, Christmas itself...
I met Bill Pranty at Sawgrass Lake Park at dawn. The rain had just started lightly but I stepped out to hear a Great Horned Owl. Good start, but the rain only got harder and the birds were avoiding the rain more than us.
It was so rainy I just left my camera in the car most of the day. Then, at 11 AM, the clouds broke and the Sun streamed forth. Meaning we only had 30 minutes of nice weather before lunch. Some birds began coming out and we eventually racked up 50 species.
At lunch we met up with another group and changed locations and eventually made it towards Roosevelt Wetlands. On the way (after getting lost for a bit) Bill spotted a large Monk Parakeet nest up in the power line structures.
Nothing too spectacular but there was a Blue-winged Teal and this massive alligator across the way.
Little Blue Herons are quiet common but I couldn't resist this shot of one feeding in the grasses.
Next, we moved to "The Wall" which is a mosquito control pond just outside of the landfill area. The water was full of ducks, gulls, and shorebirds. Spotted and Least Sandpipers were present but we saw more birds gathered down along the road. We shuttled down and tried to peek over the edge from the fence to count. Once the birds saw us they flushed but I did get a shot of a Greater Yellowlegs keeping watch.
Most of the ducks were Lesser Scaup. Canvasbacks were reported father out through scope views.
One batch of birds hiding beyond the fence was a flock of Northern Shovelers.
Heading off to a vacant spot near the interstate, we counted Killdeer (at least 14 in one small spot!) and other typical birds. I was transfixed by a large flock of Common grackles and tried to get some interesting shots as they streaked past just overhead.
Dark was fast approaching but we wanted to all get a look at the first pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks recorded for any St. Pete CBC. They were right where they have been seen for the past few days. This species is spreading rapidly all over the state.
When I look back on the day we actually had more birds than I thought. 72 species for me and Bill. I have compiled a list of things written down and remembered when I was without my notebook. Not a bad total considering the bad weather off and on. Reports after I got home are that we set a record of 167 species in the entire area! Previous high was 163.
Others have more counts to do this week but I cannot join them. Hope I can be part of future counts as it is always fun being out with good friends at any time. Next up, Christmas itself...
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sawgrass Lake Preserve
So, Happy Thanksgiving! I was going to be stuck with an old Turkey photo but fortunately we ran out to find Sawgrass Lake Preserve and managed a different type of bird.
Going to be doing a Christmas Bird Count at Sawgrass this year so I wanted to find it before I actually had to be there and Dad and I headed out for a quick tour. 400 acres are tucked between I-275 and the surrounding development. One inside the preserve you find a large Maple swamp criss-crossed with some really nice boardwalks. Bet this place is humming during peak migration times.
Today, however, it was fairly quiet as it is around much of the state. Not much moving anywhere I have been of late. We did the rounds of the boardwalk and saw a sign for an observation deck. I can't resist observations decks so we added a few more minutes to our trip.
Once atop the tower, I glanced around and something caught my eye out in the distance. Kestrel? Seemed a bit bigger. Sharp-shinned Hawk? Seemed smaller. Binoculars up...Merlin!
Years ago I found my first Merlin (maybe only, now that I think about it) on Honeymoon Island. It was foggy and the picture was nothing to write home about but I knew I had one. Nice to have one a bit more clear even though my auto focus suddenly stopped working.
Plus, this bird was pretty far out there so I am glad to at least have some OK identification shots.
When we first got to the tower, a couple was just leaving and they asked if we had seen the alligators back at one of the overlooks. Nope. We did have to pass them all again on the way out so we rechecked and off to the side of one overlook, indeed, a baby alligator!
Up on the bank was another.
And below that one, hiding behind some foliage, another!
But where was Momma? Ah, hiding behind them all but keeping a very close watch.
On the opposite side of the overlook was another young gator. This one was larger and probably born last year.
Another month from now and I should have a lengthy post from this spot again, birds willing. Excellent park.
Going to be doing a Christmas Bird Count at Sawgrass this year so I wanted to find it before I actually had to be there and Dad and I headed out for a quick tour. 400 acres are tucked between I-275 and the surrounding development. One inside the preserve you find a large Maple swamp criss-crossed with some really nice boardwalks. Bet this place is humming during peak migration times.
Today, however, it was fairly quiet as it is around much of the state. Not much moving anywhere I have been of late. We did the rounds of the boardwalk and saw a sign for an observation deck. I can't resist observations decks so we added a few more minutes to our trip.
Once atop the tower, I glanced around and something caught my eye out in the distance. Kestrel? Seemed a bit bigger. Sharp-shinned Hawk? Seemed smaller. Binoculars up...Merlin!
Years ago I found my first Merlin (maybe only, now that I think about it) on Honeymoon Island. It was foggy and the picture was nothing to write home about but I knew I had one. Nice to have one a bit more clear even though my auto focus suddenly stopped working.
Plus, this bird was pretty far out there so I am glad to at least have some OK identification shots.
When we first got to the tower, a couple was just leaving and they asked if we had seen the alligators back at one of the overlooks. Nope. We did have to pass them all again on the way out so we rechecked and off to the side of one overlook, indeed, a baby alligator!
Up on the bank was another.
And below that one, hiding behind some foliage, another!
But where was Momma? Ah, hiding behind them all but keeping a very close watch.
On the opposite side of the overlook was another young gator. This one was larger and probably born last year.
Another month from now and I should have a lengthy post from this spot again, birds willing. Excellent park.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Jay Watch, 2010, Day 1
Year number 4 for me helping with Jay Watch found me back at Buck Lake. That was the first spot I helped at and the following two years were a bit more inland at Lake Monroe. Some new birds were translocated to Buck Lake this year to save them from a development project further to the south.
I got there before everyone somehow so I wandered around. I was hearing Cardinals, Red-shouldered Hawks, Mourning Doves and Bob Whites calling but the first animal I saw was a small gator hanging out in the canal running from Buck Lake.
Soon afterward the rest of the volunteers arrived so I went back to join them. We gathered to get instructions and then split up to head out to start counting jays. Catching my attention at me feet was a small bee. This fuzzy little guy turns out to be a member of the Bombylius genus. Interesting.
We set out to our first point (spots on the scrub where we are stationed to count jays for 9 minutes each) of the morning. Along the way we spotted our first Scrub Jays. Not our first point but we got out to get some practice identifying leg bands. For instance, through binoculars and camera lenses we can make out the color of this bird are White/Pink - Yellow/Silver.
This Jay was moving about the trees, checking us out and providing great early morning views.
We finally made it to the first point and all got out of the truck, took up posts and watched for Jays that might be brought in by the playing of jay calls. Doug got first tape duty.
The rest of us, including leader Maria Zondervan, surveyed the surrounding vegetation for any responding jays.
Not lucky this time but we had a lot of points to cover today. I always enjoy studying the flora and fauna as we traverse the many, many acres. Right now Bachelor Buttons are blooming everywhere.
One set of points was looking to be disappointingly void of Jays primarily due to the presence of a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting right over where I was set to look next. The hawk was perched high above on a power pole. I looked around anyway. To my surprise, a Scrub Jay DID show up right behind me. This bird was unbanded, to boot.
We did find some other jays out near some of our points but they were at points of one of the other groups. Our last set of points for the day did contain a few Scrub Jays. My new friend was AG-GS (Azure/Green - Green/Silver).
How do I know for sure of that combo? When I can, I get shots of the birds legs to verify the combination we saw through binoculars just to be sure.
4 hours later and we had covered all of our points totaling 7 birds for our group, not counting the several other birds we saw along the way. But where are the juveniles this year? None seen so far. Could that long Winter have lessened breeding success this year? Not clear.
On the way home I had to drive over to Black Point. After all, I was right here anyway. Not a lot of birds out in the increasing heat. Herons, Black-necked Stilts, Mottled Ducks. Then there was a bird I was not sure of.
Looked odd to me for some reason. I later found out why. I had never seen a Willet in alternate plumage. They are usually transformed into a more gray color by the time most birds get here during Fall Migration. Go figure. Migration is on the move.
However, the patches of Blanket Flower prove that Summer is still in command.
Last bird of the day to share: Roseate Spoonbill. Cause they are pretty.
Time to head home, shower, rest up a bit and get back out to count Jays for Day Two.
I got there before everyone somehow so I wandered around. I was hearing Cardinals, Red-shouldered Hawks, Mourning Doves and Bob Whites calling but the first animal I saw was a small gator hanging out in the canal running from Buck Lake.
Soon afterward the rest of the volunteers arrived so I went back to join them. We gathered to get instructions and then split up to head out to start counting jays. Catching my attention at me feet was a small bee. This fuzzy little guy turns out to be a member of the Bombylius genus. Interesting.
We set out to our first point (spots on the scrub where we are stationed to count jays for 9 minutes each) of the morning. Along the way we spotted our first Scrub Jays. Not our first point but we got out to get some practice identifying leg bands. For instance, through binoculars and camera lenses we can make out the color of this bird are White/Pink - Yellow/Silver.
This Jay was moving about the trees, checking us out and providing great early morning views.
We finally made it to the first point and all got out of the truck, took up posts and watched for Jays that might be brought in by the playing of jay calls. Doug got first tape duty.
The rest of us, including leader Maria Zondervan, surveyed the surrounding vegetation for any responding jays.
Not lucky this time but we had a lot of points to cover today. I always enjoy studying the flora and fauna as we traverse the many, many acres. Right now Bachelor Buttons are blooming everywhere.
One set of points was looking to be disappointingly void of Jays primarily due to the presence of a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting right over where I was set to look next. The hawk was perched high above on a power pole. I looked around anyway. To my surprise, a Scrub Jay DID show up right behind me. This bird was unbanded, to boot.
We did find some other jays out near some of our points but they were at points of one of the other groups. Our last set of points for the day did contain a few Scrub Jays. My new friend was AG-GS (Azure/Green - Green/Silver).
How do I know for sure of that combo? When I can, I get shots of the birds legs to verify the combination we saw through binoculars just to be sure.
4 hours later and we had covered all of our points totaling 7 birds for our group, not counting the several other birds we saw along the way. But where are the juveniles this year? None seen so far. Could that long Winter have lessened breeding success this year? Not clear.
On the way home I had to drive over to Black Point. After all, I was right here anyway. Not a lot of birds out in the increasing heat. Herons, Black-necked Stilts, Mottled Ducks. Then there was a bird I was not sure of.
Looked odd to me for some reason. I later found out why. I had never seen a Willet in alternate plumage. They are usually transformed into a more gray color by the time most birds get here during Fall Migration. Go figure. Migration is on the move.
However, the patches of Blanket Flower prove that Summer is still in command.
Last bird of the day to share: Roseate Spoonbill. Cause they are pretty.
Time to head home, shower, rest up a bit and get back out to count Jays for Day Two.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Ospreys at Merritt Island
Took a drive over to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to try and spot the reported White-rumped Sandpipers hanging out along Bio Lab Road. I found them but they were too far out to get any good shots.
However, there were other birds along the lagoon including Black Terns, many waders, and more peeps. The strong winds seemed to have pushed the warblers inland.
One bird species that seemed quite happy today were the Ospreys. They were streaming by every couple of minutes and every one of them had a meal in their talons. This bird was across the road and getting ready to have lunch.
It was interesting to watch this bird with that fish seemingly barely held onto and very much alive. Every now and then the fish would begin wriggling and the Osprey would have to try and keep its balance while holding on.
At one point an Osprey flew by riding the wind really quickly. I managed to snap a slightly out of focus shot. Though I didn't see it at the time, when I got home to process the photos I noticed that this bird actually had TWO fish. One in each talon!
No other great birds shots today but the gators are always posing somewhere along the canals.
I updated my annual pass so I can't wait to get some more visits in this Fall through Spring.
However, there were other birds along the lagoon including Black Terns, many waders, and more peeps. The strong winds seemed to have pushed the warblers inland.
One bird species that seemed quite happy today were the Ospreys. They were streaming by every couple of minutes and every one of them had a meal in their talons. This bird was across the road and getting ready to have lunch.
It was interesting to watch this bird with that fish seemingly barely held onto and very much alive. Every now and then the fish would begin wriggling and the Osprey would have to try and keep its balance while holding on.
At one point an Osprey flew by riding the wind really quickly. I managed to snap a slightly out of focus shot. Though I didn't see it at the time, when I got home to process the photos I noticed that this bird actually had TWO fish. One in each talon!
No other great birds shots today but the gators are always posing somewhere along the canals.
I updated my annual pass so I can't wait to get some more visits in this Fall through Spring.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Cruising the Viera Wetlands, Part 1
For the first time in a long time I headed out for an actual birding day. We had hoped to view the shuttle launch before dawn but it was scrubbed for a second time due to a hydrogen leak.
Oh, well. Off to find some birds at Viera Wetlands. There are a lot of photos to share so I think I will split this up into several installments.
Met up with a long-time friend, Cindy Nowlin, who was kind enough to let me borrow her IS lens for a couple of spins around the cells. Maybe it was more of a sales pitch because after using it compared to my normal lens (which I bought from her years ago), man...
Mosquitoes were fierce today, but not far into the drive there was a great chance to view the first Least Bittern of the morning.
Nearby, a White Ibis in full breeding colors kept a close watch on our cars cruising by.
Some bird chicks were still in evidence and were well represented by Common Moorhens pecking at the vegetation as they headed toward their parents.
Perhaps to stay far enough away from the jaws of predators like this alligator.
Thus ends Part 1. Tomorrow, I will show off the herons.
Oh, well. Off to find some birds at Viera Wetlands. There are a lot of photos to share so I think I will split this up into several installments.
Met up with a long-time friend, Cindy Nowlin, who was kind enough to let me borrow her IS lens for a couple of spins around the cells. Maybe it was more of a sales pitch because after using it compared to my normal lens (which I bought from her years ago), man...
Mosquitoes were fierce today, but not far into the drive there was a great chance to view the first Least Bittern of the morning.
Nearby, a White Ibis in full breeding colors kept a close watch on our cars cruising by.
Some bird chicks were still in evidence and were well represented by Common Moorhens pecking at the vegetation as they headed toward their parents.
Perhaps to stay far enough away from the jaws of predators like this alligator.
Thus ends Part 1. Tomorrow, I will show off the herons.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Black Terns
Ah, a nice vacation day. Time to head to Titusville and try and find a bird I have previously been unable to locate: Black Terns. There have been reports of them in the Cape Canaveral area for a solid week so I hoped to find at least one bby getting there as fast as possible.
I turned onto Bio Lab Road (adjacent to the NASA launch facility) just around 10 AM. The first bird that I saw was feeding low over the marsh. Could it be...?
Yes! A Black Tern. Then another. I hopped out of the van and tried to get a shot as they sped over the marsh and occasionally dove into the swallow waters to grab a fish.
They flew along the roadside and sometimes across it to provide some very nice views. A nemesis bird, no more.
Farther along the road I noticed a shadow in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. I had seen this shape before so I slowed to see what would happen. It was, as suspected, a large alligator that soon breeched the surface with its tail and head arched upward.
Soon, it grabbed downward onto some prey, But what had it caught?
Upon closer inspection, it seemed that it had caught a Horseshoe Crab and was trying to figure out how to swallow the thing without getting that barbed tail stuck in its throat. An awesome sight to watch.
One the way home, I stopped at Parrish Park to see if any shorebirds were hanging out. I found many but my favorites are the Ruddy Turnstones at this time of year. The plumage is just striking.
Not a bad day. Except for the tons of mosquitoes hanging around Scrub Jay Ridge. No Jays. Only the bugs and a few migrating Prairie Warblers. Danged blood suckers nearly drained me dry!
I turned onto Bio Lab Road (adjacent to the NASA launch facility) just around 10 AM. The first bird that I saw was feeding low over the marsh. Could it be...?
Yes! A Black Tern. Then another. I hopped out of the van and tried to get a shot as they sped over the marsh and occasionally dove into the swallow waters to grab a fish.
They flew along the roadside and sometimes across it to provide some very nice views. A nemesis bird, no more.
Farther along the road I noticed a shadow in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. I had seen this shape before so I slowed to see what would happen. It was, as suspected, a large alligator that soon breeched the surface with its tail and head arched upward.
Soon, it grabbed downward onto some prey, But what had it caught?
Upon closer inspection, it seemed that it had caught a Horseshoe Crab and was trying to figure out how to swallow the thing without getting that barbed tail stuck in its throat. An awesome sight to watch.
One the way home, I stopped at Parrish Park to see if any shorebirds were hanging out. I found many but my favorites are the Ruddy Turnstones at this time of year. The plumage is just striking.
Not a bad day. Except for the tons of mosquitoes hanging around Scrub Jay Ridge. No Jays. Only the bugs and a few migrating Prairie Warblers. Danged blood suckers nearly drained me dry!
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