Yellow Warblers and Other Finds

Wasn't the forecast for clear skies the rest of the week? Thought so, but today was a very dreary looking morning. Had to wait until the second school trip to get any light and even that was pretty poor. However, I could still pick out a few warblers up in the trees around the lake under the clouds.

The most surprising was a Yellow Warbler near the edges of the outer oak limbs. These birds are typically the first early migrants and tend to head off by now but I was not complaining. Except for the fact that I had to rush back to the van for the camera.



Like many warblers, this Yellow Warbler was moving fast in search of bugs and reminded me, again, how hard it is to get good shots of small birds on the hunt. Not that you can't see them. It is the small branches that end up between you and them and make the camera want to focus on anything but the bird.



The best part for me was that this is clearly a male Yellow Warbler. I usually have gotten shots of juveniles or females but I was always wanting a shot of the male with those red-orange stripes.



Buoyed by this brief warbler encounter, I decided to take a few minutes to head over to nearby Demetree Park. Might be something along the boardwalk. Indeed, there were a few birds crossing the small creek, including a couple of juvenile White-eyed Vireos. Even in this blurry shot you can see the dark eye.As they get older, the iris turns bright white.



Behind them and foraging in the cypress and tallow trees were several Swainson's Thrushes. Wish they would get closer. Then again, I get those more personal shots when I band them at Lake Lotus.



On the way out I saw another bird that I had nearly forgotten about. A Wood Stork flew overhead and landed on the fishing dock. Wood Storks are making a comeback over the years and I am more used to them around. Just realized I hadn't seen any in the past couple of months.

This bird was probably born earlier in the year as adult birds get very dark bills. The bills are nearly ivory when the birds are born.



A little sunshine in the overcast, including some surprises. Not too bad.

Man, It Is Hot!

How hot? So hot that I did not want to even be out there in direct sunlight. I got a later start to the morning and the shade is just about non-existant where I was headed.

I stopped at LaCosta Wetlands first. I walked about 100 yards down the sidewalk and turned around for fear of combusting. At least there was a Loggerhead Shrike just outside the van.



I knew there would be some shade at Demetree Park and it is on the way home. Maybe there could be warblers. Nope. Too hot for birds, too. The best I could do was watch a male Downy Woodpecker forage up and down some branches by the path.



Back to the AC. I will try to get out earlier next time.

Demetree Park Red-shouldered Hawk

I spotted a few warblers near home when dropping the oldest at school. I wondered if other places might have some interesting migrants so I later went back to Demetree Park to see what was brewing there. Just before I headed over, though, I searched again for warblers by Lake Lancaster and only found a few Red-eyed Vireos. I hope this isn't the best shot I can get this year...



Arriving at Demetree Park, I had to park a bit away from the parking area as there was police activity investigating and abandoned and defiled vehicle. Somebody was sure made at someone. Curse words, in Spanish, were written on all sides. This did not bode well.

I walked along the tree lines and could barely hear any warblers. I decided to head over to the bridge that cuts through across some water between ponds. It usually hold some nice warblers in season. However, as soon as I approached to bridge, I could tell there would be little warbler activity today. A juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk was sitting on a branch right over the water.



The Red-shouldered Hawk was way more interested in whatever it was looking for and let me walk right up close. Eventually, it flew a bit deeper into the branches down the walkway but I was still able to get close.



At least there was now some sunlight in the new spot. I took a ton of shots and it finally gave up and headed off into the woods.



No warblers here for me today. I will have to return by next month, I guess. Can't complain about the hawk shots, though.

Around the Neighborhood

Took a quick walk through a couple parks as the skies began o turn grey and occasionally threatened rain. We have been without rain for so long I actually was hoping it would pour down on me a several points but it was not to be.

I began at La Costa Wetlands. I was told last year that this area has a lot of Winter ducks. I have yet to find a single one. There are other birds there but not a lot of migrants. Shame. I did refind a bird I took a photo of on a previous visit. The Northern Mockingbird with the deformed bill. It was deep inside a tree and you can see a better shot I took last November here.



Nearby, a Great-blue Heron patrols the pond alone. A few Myrtle Warblers were flying by but there really weren't a lot of birds out here. Go figure.



So, off to Demetree Park. Stepping out of the van revealed that there were a lot of bird noise around so that was a good sign. I made my way to the small boardwalk and didn't have to go much farther. All the birds calling were right in that small area. Over in the pond was a Pied-billed Grebe.



Just off to the left, an Anhinga watches on wearily. These birds always think you are going to do them some harm. Just relax, already!.



Just across the sidewalk from the pond was where the action was. The trees were providing shelter and insects and seeds for wave after wave of small birds. Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warblers were the most numerous and they even took to the ground to sweep up and bugs from the leaf litter.



They would even pause at eye level to rest a bit before heading either up or down for more food.



American Goldfinches were flying in to grab seeds from all kinds of trees but the light was so bad for them I didn't even try. It was all I could do to get a shot of the Cedar Waxwings.



Robins were blanketing the ground over by the playgound so I slowly moved in that direction. This Red-bellied Woodpecker decided to land right in front of me soI had to stop and take its photo. Thank you, Red.



I was trying to decide which group of Robins to photograph when a couple of Blue Jay burst through the area and squawked loudly, scaring the Robins up into the surrounding tree. I was left with only a single Robin up on a branch. Thanks, Blue Jays. Not.



More rain threatened so I head home to see if the owls might be around. Should be a new addition soon.

Catching Up with Random Birds

Starting to realize that some of my photos are piling up without getting posted. Usually just a shot or two and then I get a group that feels like it needs posting first. So, before I get too behind, I thought I would just offer up a mix from the past two weeks.

I took a trip out to Demetree Park one Saturday but did not find a lot of birds that morning. I did see a few Pied-billed Grebes and I managed to sneak up close to shore while one was diving and got a couple close pictures.



The thing I like most about this bird is it appears to be a juvenile based on the bill colors. When they are born Pied-billed Grebes have mottled bills that turn gray and blue-gray as they age.



My first American Goldfinch shot of the year was taken at Mead Garden after our banding day the following day.



Back at work the next week, I took a lunch walk and found this Northern Mockingbird guarding its tree in the small stand of woods across the street.



Still waiting for a sighting of both Bald Eagles. I keep worrying that the other bird had not arrived at all but I got a report that someone got a shot of them mating so he is here somewhere. Whew.



Back at Mead a week later and I caught a brief glimpse of the Rufus Hummingbird still hanging out. If we can keep these nice temperatures then perhaps it will stay all through the Winter.



American Goldfinch numbers are increasing sine they put feeders in the butterfly gardens. They are a joy to hear but this one seemed to give me a foul stare in the shade.



The Goldfinches are feeling rather at ease around the people wandering through. They are on the feeders and all over the weedy edges below.



They all seem nicely crisp. There are a lot of females and few brighter males coming and going.



I waited for a while to get this shot. Wanted a nice profile away from the feeders. Moments later and the bird was off to feed.



Now I just need the flocks to hit my yard. I have plenty of food waiting!

Wood Ducks in for a Landing

A quick stop at Demetree Park in downtown Orlando was more about getting some fresh air than thinking I would find too much but it did lead to a fun little moment. I was trying to count the Myrtle and Palm Warblers feeding in some trees around one of the lakes when I heard the familiar whistle of Wood Ducks flying overhead. It was actually the largest flock I have seen at one time with about 30 birds in the sky wheeling around the edges of the lake. I tried for some flight shots but the trees kept getting in the way.

They disappeared so I resumed my warbler watching. Suddenly, a few of the birds arrived again and were in position for a landing on the far side of the lake. I decided to take a few snaps.



Wish they could have landed closer but I still find these shots a little fun.



Not much else out and about. Time to transition into the last species to arrive so the birds that are already here are fairly quiet and few to be seen. Bring on the Waxwings and Goldfinches!

Saturday Cruising

Just going to a couple spots I haven't stopped by in a while. First, I need to check on the Yellow Warblers I found yesterday near the lake. They are still there but still in the shade. Just can't get them out on the edges and my flash just won't work for now.



Last month I posted about a Muscovy family walking between the lakes. Looks like the predators have been busy. Where there were once nine ducklings then I can only find one remaining. It is getting pretty big, though, so maybe it will make it to adulthood.



I decided to head over to Demetree Park to see if any warbler were enjoying the short boardwalk they have there. Seemed pretty quiet when I arrived but I did chat with an Anole for a quick minute before heading on.



Next to the main lake stood a Wood Stork who was not too sure about my intentions.



There were a few warblers along the boardwalk like Common Yellowthroats and I did find my first Black-throated Blue Warbler of the season. Red-eyed Vireos called along the treetops. However, I was a tad more interested in another bird down in the creek. A wind-blown Green Heron.



Hard as I tried, I could not get a side angle on this bird that did not include those pesky branches. It was so intent on hunting that even when I walked back and forth, crouched down low, or leaned out over the rail it did not even pay me one second of thought. I can live with the branches in the way. Love that stare.



Off to La Costa Wetlands to see if any ducks had found a resting spot there. There was not much around, actually. Even the locals were scarce here. A few Chimney Swifts chirped overhead and a Cooper's Hawk was chattering in the Cypress trees. But ducks? Not yet.

Rain was moving in so I picked up my step and moved back toward the van. Just before the last bridge, a family of Northern Mockingbirds chased one another around the palms and holly trees. I managed to get a juvenile peeking around its lunch. Birds love these berries and I hope to find a lot of species in this park this Fall and Winter.



A small mix today. Fronts are still deciding where to go. Not complaining as they have been responsible for guiding tropical storms away from us this year. Counting down to Fall.