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.

Cedar Waxwings at Work

I have been lamenting not seeing that many Robins and Waxwings this year. We had a bird rain shower blow through while at work and I heard the Cedar Waxwings flocking across the parking lot. Once the rain let up I had to walk around to the adjacent business to get the light right. A huge flock of Waxwings were sitting in the trees after feeding on the invasive Brazilian Pepper in the growth between our businesses.



There are a couple of birds with orange tips on them which you don't see that often. Moments later they all flew off to the West and vanished over the trees. Hope this is not the last flock of Waxwings I get to photograph this season.

Leading a Hike

Orange Audubon has started holding Spring Migration bird walks in addition to their previous Fall walks out at Mead Garden and I was asked to lead one of the groups today. The attendance has been pretty high this year and we need to split up into two group so no one area is too crowded. My group headed to the Southern side of the gardens while Larry headed toward the Butterfly garden just to the North.

Our first bird was a fast moving Palm Warbler. Most other Palms moved North not long ago. This one busy trying to catch some tiny moths. There is one in its bill.



We headed to the 'ear-trees', (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), and started to find several Warblers but they were so high in the tree it made photos pretty difficult. However, we did record Northern Parula, Black and white Warbler, and Cape May Warblers here.

Barred Owls are out of the nest but the youngsters were tucked in some foliage while one of the adults sat in the bright morning sunlight.



We did not find too many birds out this morning but the Gray Catbirds gathered in large numbers down by the new bridge by the creek. They were eating fruit from the palm trees. Not too far away we entered the boardwalk and were quickly met by a small flock of Cedar Waxwings and a often hidden female Cape May Warbler.



Over in the willows, a Prairie Warbler darted in and out of leaves in search of insects.



Out in the open, a male Black and White Warbler prowled the branches and tree trunks just past the railings.



Before we exited the boardwalk I spied beautiful a Five-lined Skink along the rails.



Folks began to drift apart by the time we got to the Butterfly Garden. Time for a sit down at the benches. I spotted a Great-Crested Flycatchers darting around the back of the lawn so I tried to outflank it for a photo. Success!



Over at the Clay Pit we checked for any migrants in the mulberries. Nope. We instead watched a Great Blue Heron swoop in and do a short bit of hunting before it nabbed a snake.



Upon closer inspection it appeared to be a Banded Water Snake. Yum!



One the way back to the car I stopped by the Red-shouldered Hawk's nest. I didn't look too closely first thing in the morning but now we could clearly see 2 little fuzzy heads bopping around up there.



Finally, I got to see one of the juvenile Barred Owls before I headed home.



Some interesting birds for the day and some warblers even I was wanting to see. Now we settle in for the hot months and dream of Fall migration.

Searching Mead Botanical Garden

Took a run over to Mead Botanical Gardens to see if any migrants were around after my lake checks. The only thing of note at Lake Lancaster was the Great Blue Heron rookery that is starting to show some signs of new chicks.



I got out of the car at Mead to the sound of a large flock of Cedar Waxwings. Unfortunately, they dropped into a very tall oak. I hope these are not the best shots I get of Waxwings this year but there is not much time left before they leave.



I headed into the gardens and when I got to the cement bridge I heard some high pitched calls from nearby. Baby birds, but where? Then it hit me. They were in the nest box just overhead. The box (actually put there years ago by Richard from our banding site) has seen better days. It appears squirrels have been at work over time. Still, it is being used.

It took a few minutes of waiting to see by which species. There was a blur of a bird leaving the box as I got closer but I couldn't tell what kind. Soon the blur returned past me and into the box. Chicks cried out for food and I trained my lens on the box opening. Soon, an adult Tufted Titmouse was staring out to make sure the coast was clear before heading out for more bugs.



I didn't see the owl family where I expected them. I did hear them later but came away with no photos. Over the back of the original amphitheater a Great Egret preened all alone.



The Lizard's tail is finally reestablished itself after being nearly unseen for many years. Don't remember when it declined. Perhaps it was the hurricanes in 2004. The blooms are now back all over the wet areas like I remember from when I started coming out in the late 1990's.



Today the Golden Aster was nearly as profuse along the boardwalk.



Sitting in the shade and whispering was a near motionless Gray Catbird.



On the way out I found one of the reasons there were not a lot of small birds in the open. A Red-shouldered Hawk stood watch on a snag. They have a nest not too far from here for the past couple of years.



Stopping by the cemetery on the way home I finally saw something up in the Bald Eagle nest. See it? To the right of the fishing bobber is a roundish shape behind the sticks. Eagle chick! About time.



Still pretty quiet overall. I thought this was Spring migration? Sigh.

Day Two of Cedar Waxwing Watching

I headed out a little earlier today to see if I could get some better shots of the Cedar Waxwings in better light. There was still plenty to eat and plenty of Waxwings to watch.



Instead of Palm Warblers that were also in the tree yesterday there were many Yellow-rumped Warblers joining in on the feast.



I have never eaten a Loquat fruit but if it makes Waxwings lick their 'lips' they must be pretty tasty.



Yellow-rumped Warblers are primarily insectivores and I was actually surprised to see some eating berries on a Wax Myrtle (where this subspecies, 'Myrtle Warbler, gets its name) last month. Today they were sampling the Loquats.



Another insect eater, a Downy Woodpecker, was also spied eating the fruit.



A group of ladies out for a walk stopped after they noticed the birds and asked about them. I explained the species and that they will be going back North soon, all the while snapping photos. Good thing I kept trying for the photo I wanted. One of the ladies suddenly made a move that frightened all the Cedar Waxwings back high into the surrounding Oak trees. That last shot was my best of the morning.



Sometimes the Waxwings are here into mid-April. Might still be a chance for more fun viewings.

Day One of Cedar Waxwing Watching

The time has finally arrived for the Cedar Waxwings to start feasting on the ripe Loquats in the neighborhood. I can hardly wait for this time of year to roll around. The hungry birds are so numerous during these events and can easily be watched up close with a stealthy approach.



Today there were also many warblers joining in like this Eastern Palm Warbler now transitioning into its Spring plumage.



The Cedar Waxwings pluck bit after bit from the orange fruit one by one.



It was getting late in the day so the light was not the best and the birds were staying in the shadows for most of the time but every now and then one would strike a nice pose.



Another Eastern Palm Warbler sticks to the sidewalk to sift through the leftovers.



Sometimes the Cedar Waxwings grab for a mouthful instead of just picking.



Suddenly, a pair of male Northern Parula got into a squabble and dropped to the ground about 5 feet from where I was standing. One bird flew off and the other hopped up onto a branch just to my left and so close that I could barely get it in focus. These beautiful small birds returned a few weeks ago and are singing like crazy all over the neighborhood.



The majority of Cedar Waxwings have bright yellow tail tips. Every now and then their diet shifts and changes the color of the tips to orange. It makes for a nice surprise when going through the photos later on to discover that I got a shot of one of these 'different' types.



There are several Loquats in this yard all bursting with fruit so it should keep the bird here for a while. Tomorrow I will try in earlier light.

Lake Lotus Science Incubator Dedication

Seminole County has been running a new thing called the Altamonte Springs Science Incubator since last Fall. Part of that involves taking county school kids on field trips to the water treatment plant and to Lake Lotus and engaging them in scientific experiments in hopes of getting kids to take up science or related avocations as a profession. The park rangers developed teaching modules and the program has been well received and on May 10th they finally had the official dedication which featured local leaders and partners.

I arrived well before the crowds and decided to do a little birding before the speeches began. The newest thing you cannot ignore is the new sign at the parking lot. They threw this thing up in a couple days not long ago.



I headed out to the pier but did not find many birds but I was glad I spotted a Green Heron hunting just before the boardwalks heads back into the trees.



It was fun to watch it stalk and it eventually moved to another spot in front of me for another nice pose.



Under the shade of the cypress and oaks, a Golden-silk Spider sits in wait. Not the best shot of this species I have but it does show off the 'golden' webbing that provides the name.



At the end of the boardwalk I almost stepped on this Eastern Click Beetle.



Back at the sign, the rangers posed with the school kids that arrived to help out later in the morning.



Since the kids were going to be shown what they would be helping with I headed back toward the pier to get in position for some photos. On the way out I found a Southeastern Five-lined Skink. A beautiful little rainbow.



I was hearing a lot of American Redstarts this morning but they were usually high up. I focused on one of the males and, thankfully, he popped out into view for about 4 seconds before disappearing again.



Suddenly, a Tufted Titmouse family flew in. The adults were being harassed by all the kids in tow. One of the adults paused briefly across the river and I got a shot. If you look closely, really closely, you can just make out that this is one of the birds I have banded. Another of our locals with a successful brood is great news.



Out at the lake, Frank showed one set of students what they would be doing when they had to show the guests one of the elements of the Incubator modules.



The middle of the pier had a larger setup where Steve instructed another set of students.



Out of nowhere, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks flew by and then off into the maple trees along the lake.



I won't show all the different speakers for the event. You wouldn't know any of them anyway. After they spoke, I grabbed my parting gift (a little flip-cube with the partner names on it) and headed toward the parking lot. I was actually pretty surprised to hear Cedar Waxwings still calling from the area of the Cherry Tree over on our banding side. It took me a few minutes but I could finally make a few of them out hiding in the leaves.



Thanks to the rangers for thinking of me and inviting me to this dedication. Glad to be part of the family for the past 5 years and this new funding will offer students a great opportunity. If we can ever swing it, we hope to get a weekday or two to be out at the banding site so they can get that experience, too.