Mead Botanical Gardens

It was my first trip back to Mead Botanical Garden for the New Year and I was soon surrounded by the largest feeding flock of American Robins of the Winter. Problem was, they were all flying out of holly trees at waist level and quickly going into thickets across the path. I could not get a single bird out in the open for a photo. I could tell by the bird sounds all around me that they would be here for a while so I headed toward the Education Center for now.

Perched over the creek was a Red-shouldered Hawk scanning the trees for a meal.



As I approached the Cypress stand I noticed another Red-shouldered Hawk flying up into a tree. By the time I got in a good position for photos I could just make out that it was snacking on a frog.



There was not too much action around the boardwalk so I headed back to the 'island'. American Robins were still there and I finally got one bird out in the light but still behind branches.



On the back side of a Brazilian Pepper shrub I could finally make out a few Cedar Waxwings darting in for berries. When a shadow passed over all the birds froze to stay hidden. It was the only way I could focus on this bird.



Soon, they resumed feeding and then would fly back to an adjacent tree. There have not been that many Cedar Waxwings around this season.



Also in the pepper tree was a female Northern Cardinal looking out over the pond.



I headed back to the car. Along the way, a Great Egret was prowling along the path and paid zero attention to me as I got a bunch of shots as I walked beside it.



Finally got a nice feeding flock of Robins. Perhaps there will be a couple more before they all head back North.

One Bright Spot at Dad's Funeral

Haven't been out for any real birding of late but we were looking forward to Earth Day at the banding site this year. Unfortunately, my Dad passed unexpectedly the Friday before so things were thrown asunder. Rough time for all involved but we had to do what we had to do. The following week we had the viewing and funeral which were both nicely attended by friends, family, and co-workers of my Dad who all loved him deeply.

Once the funeral was over, we headed back to the gravesite to collect flowers for distribution to other family sites and I wanted to do a little birding on the grounds to clear my head. I was surprised to hear some Cedar Waxwings fly by and then a small flock of birds flew in to the oaks near Dad's grave. Had to stop and step out for a shot. An American Robin dropped down right in the road ahead of us.



This is a very late sighting for Robins in this area as confirmed by eBird. Maybe Dad was bringing me a little bright spot during a difficult time for all of us. Glad he was there with me on some birding adventures this year. He will be truly missed by so many people in this crazy world.

Sigh.

Finally, Another Robin Frenzy!

Cruising through the Greenwood Cemetery to check on the Bald Eagle nest I noticed a bit of bird activity on the ground around the bend. We have had a pretty slow Winter when it comes to migratory birds but I showed up at the right time for one of the annual American Robin feeding frenzies. Before these birds head back toward the North they swarm the trees and landscape for al the fruit they can get to fatten up for the journey. They really like Camphor berries.



I took my usual spot under the big Camphor tree and soon the Robins were dropping down to make sure I was no threat before they resumed their feast.



Other birds were inspecting the tree like this Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker. This cemetery is my reliable place for this species.



A Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler posed for a few seconds in the middle of her search for insects. Yellow-rumps and Cedar Waxwing numbers were way down this season. Particularly the Waxwings that often trail the Robin flocks.



This male American Robin barely gave me a second glance as he swooped down directly beneath my perch. I could hardly get him in focus!



He soon wandered a few more feet out in the open and started gulping fruit.



I am not sure if I will get another chance to find a feeding flock again this Winter. It is almost time for them to go home. Just have to enjoy it while I can.



Next year, bring your Waxwing friends along with you, please. Though I love you guys just as much.

Larger Feeding Flock of American Robins

I was doing my rounds and after I got the oldest home from school I was having a feeling. Just seemed American Robins were so copious lately I needed to stop by the cemetery and see if they were finally visiting the Camphor trees.

Yep. They were all over the cemetery.



As I described it to my wife, they were shaking the trees. Jumping in, pulling at fruit, and literally shaking the branches to dislodge more berries. A large amount of them were males.



Unlike my last visit with a smaller flock, they were now coming down to the ground to grab the easier pickings.



Once I settled down on a tombstone the birds flew in next to me to continue eating. I don't use flash, even though this American Robin looks lit up.



I was trying to get a shot of the entire flock but it was difficult. Hundreds of birds were flying around me the entire time I was there.



In this situation I always try to get a close shot of an American Robin on a branch right in front of me. It took a while, but one finally obliged.



More and more dropped from above to pose around me.



I always enjoy watching them picking out just the perfect berry. They will pick one up, pinch it, and either drop it in search of another or gulp it down.



I was waiting for a shot of one of the birds to land on a headstone just to give a sense of place. Seemed to take forever when one jumped up in front of me.



Then another on a toppled stone to my left.



A gorgeous male American Robin stopped on another branch for a great pose.



Suddenly, a new bird emerged from the flock and fed in front of me. You don't often see American Robin like this. This bird is showing a lot of leucistic feathers.



A final shot of an American Robin enjoying the spoils of the Camphor trees.



I cannot end without giving thanks to the dead who allowed me to use their headstones as a resting place as I photographed the scene. If I read this right, her name is Civility? Wife of W. F. Barber.



Next to that was W. F. Barber himself. I respect cemeteries and you would be surprised how many birds you can find in the more quiet places around town. I love this headstone resembling a stack of logs with a banner draped down it. There are many creative headstones here at Greenwood.



Now we wait for the next waves of Robins and we should soon have opportunities to have views of Waxwings before they leave the state. If we can get through the cold and rain.

Mini-Feeding Flock of American Robins

Everyone had the day off for the holiday so I slept in a bit and relaxed. I did do my later lake check and made the way over to the cemetery and found a growing number of American Robins flying about. Still no looks of the Bald Eagles or the Coyote today.



The problem today was that I picked the wrong time for good light. I could never get any good positions to equal my best shots from last year at this time. Still, it is always fun to watch the American Robins scarfing down Camphor berries.



Camphors are considered invasive and many folks would rather have them all removed but there are many birds that use this food source during the Winter in Florida. Robins love them.



I tried to get some other angles with the light but it was not to be found. What I did find was a Blue-headed Vireo flitting around the other nearby trees but it was mostly in the shade.



I had to complete the evening grocery trip and checked out Lake Davis on the way. Not many birds to stop for but how can I resist the Sundog shimmering in the evening sky?



This is the first feeding flock of Robins I have seen up close so far this year but they have been streaming through in large flocks all over town. Shouldn't be long before I can find a larger feeding flock and then, hopefully, I can get some Cedar Waxwings next month.

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.