Hike at UCF

The wife had committed to helping at the Scouting event at UCF today and talked me into tagging along with the caveat that I could go, literally, "take a hike" while she worked. I planned on just walking the campus but ended up finding the nature trail and quickly realized I was wearing the wrong footwear. Flip-flops and scrub trails are not the best mix, BTW.

It took quiet a while to find any birds so I was taking photos of flowers to ID for a long time. I might do a post about the flowers all on their own at some point as I found a ton of good plants and flowers. However, I finally heard a long-missed sound erupting from the scrub and soon found a female Eastern Towhee that I had to get closer to despite the fear of stepping on any snakes as I headed off-trail.



As I got closer to the neighborhood near the edge of the trail I began to hear the familiar sound of Chimney Swifts sweeping overhead. There was enough of a breeze to slow them a bit for a shot as they cruised over the pines.



The farther along I walked, I started finding more birds but was surprised as an Eastern Bluebird flew in to perch for a few seconds ahead of me.



High overhead, a flock of Double-crested Cormorants flew past quickly.



Besides the Bluebird, I was even more surprised to start hearing Brown-headed Nuthatches. I had to look hard but finally got a view of a juvenile calling to the adults as they gathered food to feed them.



It waits patiently...



...while an adult Brown-headed Nuthatch plucks a pine seed to work into the lunch menu.



Nearby, a Common Ground Dove dropped in to preen and take a break from foraging near the Nuthatches.



I continued to walk the trail and walked out into the open to get around the ponds and make my way back to the stadium. A police helicopter was flying in and it seemed that they were curious as to why I was there. It circled many times and I noticed volunteer staff walking toward me to see what I was up to.



I began to make gestures that I thought would signal that I was just a bird watcher and not some threat and, eventually, the helicopter landed near the ball field and the volunteers backed off. Don't know who was in it, but they did take their time to get settled in as if it might have been some VIP. My complaint is that is scared off most of the birds I was tracking.



Once the noise subsided, the Eastern Bluebirds dropped back down before heading off into the woods.



I got closer to the stadium where I had started and noticed a flock of Fish Crows exploring something on an island in a retention pond. They were not alone. A pair a Loggerhead Shrikes were defending territory from the crows and gave me some good looks as they chased the crows out of the area.



Just before I finished my walk I could hear another familiar sound in Central Florida. Sandhill Cranes were squawking in the distance and they took flight as I rounded the curve.



Back to base and we finished the day with a lunch provided by the Scouts before heading out. An unplanned hike that provided some nice birds that I had no idea were in that spot. Can't complain.

Chimney Swift Party

During my nightly round of the neighborhood I stopped by the church to count ducks. Instead, I was distracted by another species of birds. Chimney Swifts were massing overhead and calling. Always tough to get a clear shot of these birds but I singled one out as dusk was closing in.



While I was tracking the birds I couldn't help but notice the nice cloud formations off to the East. I waited a few moments to let the plane move into a spot for scale.



The view to the south revealed pileus cloud caps being formed and destroyed by the towering clouds below.



Oh, yeah. Swifts! So, I had to move out into the parking lot to get a full view of the swifts circling and calling. I took a few frames trying to get as many birds as I could in the shot. I counted later and, like this shot, the highest number I could get in the frame was 45 birds. There were many more with them.



Most Chimney Swifts have already migrated out of Central Florida and headed to the south. All I can figure is that this is a large migrating flock gathering together for a joint journey. Fly well, little Swifts!

Chimney Swifts Coming Home To Roost

Tonight was a very enjoyable evening as we attended the oldest's Jazz Band concert outside at the school. Everyone played excellently for two sets.

Almost immediately after we sat down, Chimney Swifts began circling above us under cloudy skies. Sometimes really low over our heads. I remembered seeing swifts leaving the old chimney in the mornings years ago so they must still be using it.



Night was quickly falling a the band took 5. I headed over toward the chimney to see if they were ready to go into it yet. The number of birds had grown to at least 100 birds and they circled closer to the structure. Think getting a shot of a swift in the daytime is difficult? Try it near dark!



Sometimes it would be 1 bird and other times it was 2-3 but they all began swooping into the chimney little by little.



I have never had a good view of Chimney Swifts heading to the roost. It was awesome to see it so close and from start to finish, all the while hearing the loud chipping go from so loud and slowing fading into silence.

Searching for a Chat

After we set net poles at Lake Lotus for Earth Day tomorrow I decided to swing by Mead Garden to see if anything was happening there. Lotus sure was quiet. As soon as I arrived I noticed the entire Orange Audubon crew was there staring at something. I spoke to them and they had found a hummingbird nest up in the oaks. I was more interested in the other bit of news.

Seems a Yellow-breasted Chat was down the stream. Off I go. Chats have been a nemesis bird for years. I was told it was singing like crazy. Can't miss the song. When I got to the spot I was met with resounding silence. All I could find was a few Chimney Swifts.



10 minutes hanging out and nothing. Finally some movement! Nope. Catbird.



Eventually did spot something. Friends of mine. They said it was there somewhere and just decided to stop singing. Great. I waited an hour. Eventually, I got the bird. For all of 2 seconds. But it counts.

Headed to the cemetery to check on the young eagles and they were out and about, flying freely and waiting for lunch.



Busy day. Tomorrow will be even busier. If we can catch some birds.