Lake Apopka North Shore Drive. Again.

I headed to the North Shore Drive today and got there at sunrise as is my wont. I have made 7 tries to find a reported Gray-headed Swamphen and come up empty overtime. Today it ran across the marsh right toward me! Finally.



The light was rather harsh but I didn't mind. I had my bird. It was carrying what looked like fleshy vegetation.



The Gray-headed Swamphen walked around for a bit and then stopped to eat whatever it was carrying and soon vanished into the reeds. Nemesis no more.



Just ahead, a sleepy Red-shouldered Hawk rested on a telephone pole.



It seems that overtime I get a Northern Harrier next to me they aways keep their backs to me. About time I got a side shot.



Egrets and Herons were feeding in all the swallow water as the Sun continued to climb.



Belted Kingfishers were a little more generous with poses today before flying off.



I stopped for a check on the ponds were the ducks have been lately. Didn't see any today but I did get to watch as the American Coots displayed and chased one another.



I got in the car and began to head down the road when I spotted a Pied-billed Grebe just outside the driver side window. Would have liked more light on my side, but...



An angry looking Great Egret searched for a meal in the canal.



Again with the full framed Great Blue Heron!? Hey, I can't help myself.



A lone Palm Warbler flitted around the small branches poking out of the water next to the car.



Not much on the backstretch today except for another Belted Kingfisher.



On the final turn an American Kestrel hunted and rested next to the sod fields.



A typical day at the Drive but now I have a little more weight off of my shoulders. Thanks, Swamphen!!

Lake Apopka New Year's Drive, Part 2

Made my way back around to the start of the drive and got a shot of the new sign and gate at the entrance. Rather penal-looking. They are now automated and open at sunrise and close by sunset. At the exit gate, you have to stop in a specific spot or it won't open. Should be interesting once the the stormy season begins!



Just past the gate I had another cooperative Eastern Phoebe.



Northern Harriers are difficult to get photos of. At least for me. They are always tilting this way and that and I find it hard to get a shot of their heads. Got this one but wish the light was better and it was pretty far away.



Fulvous Whistling Ducks are often seen flying quickly from one side of the property to another but seldom sitting in the water. In fact, last year was my first official record of them but it was only by hearing them calling just past a clump of reeds. Today I decided to walk out along the back berm to see if I could get a shot. Fortunately, a small flock flew in as I walked so I was able to get some photos.



Exploring further, I spotted a Ruddy Duck drifting along behind some trees.



A lone Ring-necked Duck was a bit more in the back.



A pleasent surprise was a Gadwall resting on a branch.



American Wigeons have been reported so I was hoping to find them. A pair swam out as I headed back to the car.



I now have sightings of American Wigeon from coast to coast in Florida and my first was out in Washington State years ago. The male gave me a nice wave "Goodbye!"



There was also a report of some Northern Shovelers but I missed them the last time. Got one just before getting in the car (and out of the wind) hiding way behind the grasses.



Near the end of the drive I spotted a flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks wandering through the grass.



A final bird of the drive. One of dozens of Belted Kingfisher. This one stared at me for a while instead of darting off like all the others.



Two trips around the drive is a nice way to begin the year. Hoping to make many more journeys out in 2016. Still need to get that Swamphen...

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.

Lake Apopka Drive, Part 1

Another busy month is almost gone and I finally get a chance to go out to do some birding. I took the opportunity of a Friday after Thanksgiving to head back out to the Lake Apopka North Shore drive. I arrived just after sunrise and was greeted by my friend Paul Hueber who was searching for the Lark Sparrow that was seen the day before.

No sign of the sparrow. Maybe due to a fluffy Red-shouldered Hawk sitting in the nearby trees.



A bit farther down the drive I saw a pair of photographers getting out of their car. They wanted a closer shot of another Red-shouldered Hawk. This one was sitting on the wires. Kind of odd for a hawk to do.



Belted Kingfishers were all over the place this morning. Of course, they hardly sit still long enough for a photo and are so skittish that I am happy to have at least a couple of distant shots.



Just when I was thinking I might not see too many Ospreys I found one munching on the last bits of breakfast.



Not too much farther ahead I found another staring out at the lake.



Over in the canal, a Pied-billed Grebe kept a watchful eye on me as I slowed for a photo.



Male Red-winged Blackbirds were very approachable today and feeding on grasses on several stops along the way.



I think this American Alligator had too much Thanksgiving dinner last night. He can barely move.



Nearing the pump house, a Palm Warbler stops for a moment on the power lines.



I took a walk down the path along the lake but didn't find too much except for a couple of Ospreys drifting by in search of their next meal.



A slightly beaten up Viceroy was the only this of interest as I headed back toward the car.



A Double-crested Cormorant preened as it spread its wings to dry out.



Another Belted Kingfisher was above the bridge leading away from the pump house but I had to take my shot through the windshield so it wouldn't take off.



The nerve of some birds. This Great Egret took its sweet time crossing in front of me as I reached the halfway point in the drive. There was an interesting duck just past this spot but I will save that tale for a future post.



The last bird of this first part will be a nicely lit Glossy Ibis that was poking around for a snack.



Take a break. Part Two is right around the corner.