Return of the Coyote

I headed to check on the Bald Eagle nest at the cemetery like I always do heading home in the daylight. I rounded the back road and was quite surprised by a Coyote right on the edge on the lawn.



Haven't seen her here in quite some time. She was a little weary as she slowly wound her way through the headstones as I tried for a few photos.



She took a final look back at me and suddenly vanished into the matching gray all around.



Why was I here? Oh, yeah. Eagles. Didn't see them on this trip...

Lust Road

I had to head over to Apopka to check on banding a Cooper's Hawk before it was going to be released after rehab. I didn't take any photos there but then I decided to stop over at Lust Road to see if I could find a rare bird being reported over there. A Western Tanager. A few birders were already there and reported seeing the bird a few minutes before. Just missed it.

Since I have now struck out on 3 Life birds of late, I wandered up and down the road looking for anything else to photograph. We could hear sparrows all around but most birds were staying low. Finally, a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow popped up onto the fence.



One of the other birders screamed out that there was an Ash-throated Flycatcher 100 yards from me. By the time I got there it had flown of. Now 4 Life Bird misses. All I got was a Northern Mockingbird on that walk back.



Back down by the gate I could see a Bald Eagle resting on one of the telephone poles.



The one good surprise was a pretty early male Prairie Warbler that flew in for a few seconds and then departed. A nice splash of yellow against a cold morning blue sky.



We hoped the Tanager would return but it was not to be. Other birds flew by and eventually Red-tailed Hawks took to the sky. The first in view was a darker morph adult.



It was soon joined by another individual.



This one is a very light morph variety. They decided to ride the increasing thermals instead of gracing us with closer views.



Time to head home. Over at Lake Weldona, a Great Blue Heron was wading in to search for prey.



Then a surprise at Lake Cherokee. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a large bird. By the time I rounded the corner I could see that it was a Brown Pelican but it decided to fly off before I could get a good shot. We don't get a lot of Brown Pelicans in the neighborhood but they occasionally can be found in Orlando lakes in the Winter.



Last stop before the house is almost always the cemetery. Bald Eagles were nowhere in sight but I did find the Coyote again.



Turned out to be an interesting Saturday spin but I really would have liked to get those other Lifers on my Lust Road stop. Maybe next time.

Coyote and Local Birds

Time for a little cruise around the lake before we have to head out to the Florida west coast for the next round of Christmas. Not a lot out today but the first thing that caught my eye from a block away was a pair of Forster's Terns visiting Lake Davis. Just wish they would have come closer to shore.



Along the shore were numerous American Coots that are always here through the Winter and Spring.



Western Palm Warblers were all over but they would not come out from the confines of the Cypress branches.



On the way home I swung through the cemetery and refound the Coyote but no sign of the Bald Eagles. Where the heck are they this year? Definitely not conspicuous.



Now we make the trek to the coast in the morning and maybe get in some birding near the Gulf.

Before I Forget

I had a few observations I wanted to post but they keep getting lost in the mix. So busy these days. Plus, they are not bird sightings but fun, nonetheless.

I had to check on the banding site the other day after dropping off poles after our Orlando Wetlands Festival gig. When I got to the end of the net lanes I was greeted by this thing at the last bridge.



A very impressive Common Snapping Turtle! I was so taken by those spikes on the head that I didn't even notice that they retract until I processed all the photos. Pretty cool that it can raise and lower them.



My first thought was that this was an Alligator Snapping Turtle but folks have helped me track it down as a Common. Still a new addition to my Lake Lotus checklist. I made sure to get a shot of the tail as it moved back into the marsh. At 3-feet-long, it was an amazing site to behold.



On the mammal side, many of us were concerned about our local Coyote. We were used to seeing for a year or so and then someone saw a group of men apparently hunting for it after an article in the local paper concerning the increase of Coyote in the region. It had been weeks since a sighting but I found her again the other day.



She was still there the next day, panting in the sunshine, as I made my way home.



We miss the foxes that were breeding here, and possibly killed or displaced by the Coyote, but several of us are adjusting to, and enjoying, our new resident. Would be a shame to see some vigilante hunters kill her off 'just 'cause'. I will watch and record.

Neighborhood Discoveries and Mystery

December already? Just another day to take the lakes tours to see what is arriving. A lot of Ring-necked Ducks are finally showing up and stay through the night. When they first begin to get here from the North they gather in the lake in the evening and then disperse by morning. Where do I go? No clue.

Now, the numbers reach near 200 birds in flock groups all around the lake. Most are in crisp plumage but some look a little...muddy.



I was counting all the ducks for my list for the day and noticed what appears to be a different type of duck. Sides are a different color than the majority of bird but I would really have liked to have it raise its head for me. Sleeping ducks are hard for me to ID since we don't have a lot of time to get good at Northern ducks. I will have to try for a better look at this mystery duck tomorrow.



Along the shore, White Ibis feed in large numbers. This one was busy searching inside for hidden treats.



Mute Swans have settled in of the past month or so. I think we are up to at least 6 by now. They have gotten completely relaxed lately.



Though they are not native birds, it is kind of nice to have them around.



Off to scan the cemetery for eagles. I don't see any, but when I round the back corner...Coyote!



Haven't seen her in quite a while. I figured she was gone for good. Maybe she is getting ready for breeding? Don't know much about Coyote biology. Time to find out!

Spin Around the Neighborhood

A beautiful March day. Time to scan the neighborhood lakes to see what is around. First stop, Lake Lancaster where I find a Limpkin wandering around the rapidly drying lake in search of food.



On the South side, a few Fish Crows rested on the wires next to the lake.



I took a breath and turned to head back to the van and noticed a clump of white in the grass. Closer inspection revealed a Wood Stork resting by the water.



Suddenly soaring into view, a Turkey Vulture passed over head riding the nice breeze.



A few turns later brought me to Lake Weldona. This little hidden lake hosts some interesting birds from time to time but none so surprising to me today as one of the adult Bald Eagles resting and bathing in the water. Guess it wanted a break from the group of photographers that have been stationed under their nest for the past few weeks. I hardly even drive by anymore. Too depressing. Excellent to spend some quiet time, just the two of us.



Until he turned into a zombie! I escaped without harm quickly!!



Now, I was thinking about the eagle nest at the cemetery so I drove through looking for my other favorite sight. Luckily, the Coyote was there in the shadows again.



On the way out of the grounds, the Northern Mockingbirds are nesting and being very visible at eye level.



Finally, a quick drive around Lake Terrace. Would the Green-winged Teals still be there this late. Yep. First sighting found it with a Ring-necked Duck.



A bit later it appears to be with the female. Such a gorgeous duck.



Chores are calling but not a bad set of shots for 30 minutes of cruising.

Another Tour, Another Lake

Took a new route home today and found some nice birds around Lake Lancaster and then headed to check on the Bald Eagles. First, Lancaster. There hasn't been a lot out there lately but today there was a nice little grouping of birds right near the drive. Completely obvious from any angle was one of the local Mute Swans. I Spoke to the woman that bred them years ago not too far away and she released them and they move from lake to lake around the area.

Many folks are distressed at this action but they are now a part of the community.



In the reedy grass nearby, several herons gathered to feed. Snowy Egrets aren't completely rare but rare enough to garner notice from me.



Feet away, a Little-blue Heron picks off small fish in the weeds.



Even more rare than the Snowy Egret was the Glossy Ibis in the group. Glossy Ibis are very common all over the coasts but it is nice to see them here inland. Especially as they near breeding plumage.



Back around Lake Emerald. Another Wood Duck slowed for a shot.



Off to the cemetery for a check on the eagles. Luckily, I got another sighting of the Coyote that lurks near the eagle nest. It was skittish as always but this is the first shot I got with the new lens.



Nothing of much interest at the eagle nest. Just one adult hanging out in the pines.



Tomorrow is another day but this was a nice swing through for a few minutes before chores had to be done. Where are those eaglets?

End of Year Coyote Sighting

A little 2011 close-out. It has been just short of a year since we discovered a Coyote in the cemetery. Now it was 2 days before Christmas. I drove through tonight to check on the eagles and found our canine again. A year later and still looking very healthy.



It was just as wary of the van as it was way back then and decided to wait me out by finding the one open section in the area.



Even though it was nearing dark, that coat was beautiful. Sure I will see it again soon.

Quick Tour

Doing my usual Canvasback check just to keep a running tab of how long she stays. Plus, I take a few minutes to run through a couple of areas along the way.

First up, probably my favorite female Mallard on Lake Davis. She is almost tan and has raised some broods here over the years. Easy to spot among the other local Mallards. Love the reflections.



Sitting out farther from shore was the remaining Canvasback, also easily spotted when she sits on the surface.



Though the Great-blue Herons are not uncommon, sometimes they don't like being stared at. This one was more concerned about searching for food. Keeping up with the reflection theme for a bit.



Took a swing through the cemetery after a report from Marcus that the Coyote is still there. Really? Yep.




Looking a little skinnier than when it was first found.