Another Green-winged Teal Visit

Had a nice surprise while touring the lakes. A pair of Green-winged Teal were visiting Lake Emerald. More of a pond just off the through street.



They were feeding right at the shoreline not far from the curb.



They didn't seem to mind me too much. They finished probing the mud and then just swam about in front of me.



I finally had the good fortune to have some awesome light. Usually, I find them when it is raining or super cloudy.



But even in poor light , I love to find them. They are so rare, especially in a downtown. environment.



The head feathers of the male always blow me away.



Took a quick run through the cemetary and the Bald Eagle chicks are now up on the edge of the nest. It won't be long before they start to 'branch'.



TK

Chicks Getting Larger

Back to Greenwood Cemetery to check on the Bald Eagle nest. Chicks are doing great and you can now see their heads above the rim of it.



TK

We Have Chicks!

It was a gloomy lake check today with not a lot of Wintering birds to be seen. Not many in all of mile 8 mile loop. Time to head by the cemetery before getting back home. I had yet to see much activity at the Bald Eagle nest but I only get a brief window to peek in at them these days. I didn't have a lot of expectation. It should just be another quick drive through. But...

We have chicks!



Mom was busy tearing off chunks of breakfast and handing it off to the new arrivals.



I could only see one chick at first and it soon seemed to turn my way. Hi!



Then the second chick could be seen trying to stand right next to the first baby



"Enough play time! Eat your fish."



Nice to have new eaglets in the neighborhood after last year's bust. Now just have to sit back and watch them grow. It won't be long before they are flying off on their own.

Checking for Chicks

I stopped by the nest site on the way home today. Hoping to see if there are any Bald Eagle chicks this year. I couldn't tell by just the drive by but Mom was at the nest while Dad was in the opposite tree.



I will have to keep checking. One thing I do notice is that something is wrong with my camera after accidentally dragging it off of the banding table this morning. Always something...

Barber Park

I often drive past Barber Park or drive through the parking lot in case anything is sitting in the front pond but today I decided to stop and take a walk out to the lake and see what I could find out in the fields.

A train of Muscovy ducks were hiking toward the marsh in the center of the parking areas and Eastern Phoebes and several Western Palm Warbler were snatching insects. This Palm hopped right over to me.



There is a retention pond between the parking areas and the lake just off to the side of the soccer fields. They have planted some native plants in here to make it look nice and it attracts some nice birds from time to time. There were Phoebes, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Great Blue Heron keeping an eye on me as I made my way around toward the lake.



I could hear Yellow-rumped Warblers all along the tree lines but they were not making themselves seen for more than a second. I circled back around the opposite side of the canal and posted up for a few minutes. Eventually, a single bird pause just in front of me for a few seconds.



The Western Palm Warblers were much more conspicuous as they flitted out into the open, fed in the grasses, and perched on shrubby branches just about everywhere.



One more close-up. How can I resist?



On the way out I spotted a White-winged Dove trying to hide in the shadows. Did not expect that here. I took a look high overhead and spotted a Bald Eagle soaring over the lake.



I headed back to the car and had a single Muscovy Duck just coming back out of the marsh. Usually they are mostly black. I can't recall a silver one. Much less with a Mohawk!



I did not have as many species as I had hoped for but it was a nice walk. Where are all the birds this season? Seems thin.

Eagle Pair at the Nest

How is November halfway over? Been too busy, I suppose.

Finally had a chance to get through Greenwood Cemetery in the daylight (this being Saturday) and was pleased to see both Bald Eagles at the nest with one sitting inside! Maybe eggs this year? Last year was a bust.



Going to get crazy busy but I hope to be able to make some more stops to check in from time to time. Good luck, you two.

Back at the Nest

A quick swing through Greenwood Cemetery yielded a nice surprise. This is the first time I have seen one of the Bald Eagles venture to the nest this season.



Fingers are crossed for a brood this year.

Return of the Bald Eagles

If it is daylight I try to make it through Greenwood Cemetery to see if the Bald Eagles have returned for the season. Finally, on Saturday, one of the birds made it back and was perched in a distant pine tree near the nest.



On Sunday, I found the pair in the same tree just hanging out. Time to try for a new brood!



Last years attempt was unsuccessful. Good luck, you two.

New Bald Eagle?

Knowing our seasonal pair of Bald Eagles did not succeed in raising a brood this year I still drive through the cemetery to see if any other species show up. Today I was shocked to see a Bald Eagle in the nest. Our pair has already moved on to their Summer home.



These first two images show the Bald Eagle screaming at a Fish Crow that was harassing it from above.



It is definitely not one of the Winter residents. So, why is it on the nest?



There were some brief rain showers washing through but I included these shots to show the brown patch on the side of the head.



Bald Eagle turn completely white after they are 5-years-old. I am thinking this is a 4th year bird. Possibly it is from a former brood or maybe just a local that is trying to muscle in to this turf.



I guess we will just have to keep an eye open in the Fall when the proper owners return to see if there is some the of dispute.



Curious.

Greenwood Bald Eagles

I rounded through the cemetery late and finally found the Bald Eagles near the nest. However, everyone has pretty much declared this season of a new brood to be a bust. One bird was right by the nest tree as I came around the far side.



It then flew over to be with its mate just before I headed home.



Sad that we will not have a new batch of chicks this year. Better luck next season, Eagles.

Greenwood Bald Eagles

I did a morning bird check and ended up in the Greenwood Cemetery looking for the Bald Eagles. they have not been at the nest too much this season but today got both of them! When I first pulled up the female was on the nest alone.



Then I heard the male calling in the distance and he quickly soared in and landed next to her, still calling.



He was calling loudly the entire time lokking in all directions while the female just sat and listened. Maybe they were both seeing something I couldn't.



The male finally ceased his calls and they both scanned the surroundings for a while.



Without warning, the male launched back into the air and flew off, probably is search of a meal.



Still no sign of nesting yet but they did start pretty late last year. Maybe they are going to have another late clutch this year. I will update when it happens.

Lake Apopka Drive, Part 2

Part 2 starts with me craning out of the driver's window to try and get a shot of a very busy Western Palm Warbler. One out of ten shots coming out is good enough for me.



Common Gallinules are a lot easier since they tend to cruise and peck.



I started down the next stretch when a Bald Eagle flew in and landed on a phone pole. Another photographer was ahead of me so I gave her some space and got the best shot I could before it flew off.



We traveled a bit farther down the road and spotted another Bald Eagle on another pole. Suddenly, the male flew in to copulate!



Shortly afterward he flew off into the distance while the female remained to preen a bit. I don't see that everyday.



I don't often see too many Blue-winged Teal out here so it was a nice surprise to find this pair trying to stay hidden.



The Snowy Egret, in contrast, was prancing around like crazy.



American Coot numbers are on the increase all across the state.



OK. I guess I will have to take yet another Great Blue Heron shot since he is just sitting there...



Finally! A Belted Kingfisher that didn't fly away as I got a little closer. Still pretty far out in the marsh but at least it isn't sitting on a wire.



Across the canal as I made the turn a nice-sized American Alligator was hauled all the way to the top of the berm to catch some sunlight.



Another one down in the water was even bigger.



Hope the Anhinga is paying attention to the gator as much as he was to me.



Not as many Eastern Phoebes around as the last time I was out but a couple posed for me today.



Third species on a pole today. This time it was a Double-crested Cormorant.



While down in the water a very photogenic Pied-billed Grebe glided to a stop just out the window.



If I would have been looking the opposite direction I would have missed this bird completely. Fortunately I noticed the Cooper's Hawk shaking while it preened. Thus, that lovely fluffy look.



I took a bunch more photos until it eventually gained a more refined posture.



I neared the end of the drive and noticed an American Kestrel flitting around ahead. Kestrels are even more skittish than Kingfisher so I really wasn't expecting a photo. Then it grabbed an insect and circled back to land close to me! I didn't notice until I was editing the pictures at home but I never knew they rested on their tarsus. It would be similar to sitting on your shins.



Once it finished eating breakfast, it quickly stood in an upright position that we are all use to. Interesting.



Another fun trip around the top of the lake. Who knows when I will be able to get back out. Maybe New Year's Day. Last year I hiked 14 miles out here, before the drive was open. Don't mind hiking but I think I prefer the car for these longer jaunts. Makes it easier to sneak up on the birds, too.