Eastern Wood-Pewee

The last post dealt with the Star-of-the-Day, the female Rufus Hummingbird. There were other things out there that I found before I got to the Rufus. One of the first things I found as I got out of the van were several Western Palm Warblers. I made my way over to the Camilla garden and discovered a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. They would not give me a profile view but they were 2 of 3 I had today and the first of the season.



Work is progressing on the amphitheater next to the butterfly garden.



On the opposite side of the amphitheater there is a Mulberry tree we check for migrating birds. There were a few Eastern Phoebes calling there and then an Eastern Wood Pewee flew in view.



That bird was soon chased by another Pewee which took the first bird's place. I got some shots but didn't really think too hard about it until I got home. Looking at the photos on the computer I could see that this second bird was actually a juvenile Pewee.



You can tell mostly by the yellow gape flesh at the base of the bill. Nice.

Now, time to head over to that hummingbird.

In Between Cub Scout Nature Walks...

I was volunteered to give Nature Walks for groups of Cub Scouts and their parents through parts of Mead Garden all day today. Despite having my camera slung over my shoulder for over 8 hours, I barely took any shots. I was too busy pointing things out to take many photos.

However, I did have a few minutes during lunch and a few minutes once the walks were over and actually got more things on the card than I thought I did. In fact, I almost forgot that my fellow Mead birder friends pointed out a bird to me as I was making my way back for the next group. The first Eastern Wood Pewee of the season. Not the best shot but it counts!



During my lunch break I found my sandwich in the cooler beset by ants. Sigh. Off to circle the lake. More walking instead of relaxing but I can't resist the urge to find something while I am out. At the amphitheater I saw a bird dart into the Virgina Creeper berries. Turned out to be a female Summer Tanager. From below...



It didn't take long, though, for a bunch of Red-eyed Vireos to fly in and chased the Tanager away. Then they stood watch for a bit.



Down by the lake, a few Ibis, Titmice and herons rested along the shoreline and in the shrubs. I liked this pose of a Tricolored Heron up on the old dead tree over the water.



I headed around the shore and was surprised by a movement at my feet. It was a frog. More surprising was that it did not hop directly into the water as most frogs do. I had to do a little research and discovered this is a Florida Leopard Frog. Neat. I love the way the skin looks painted.



This little fella even let me get up close and personal for a more interesting view. It never even tried to move any further.



On the far side of the lake (OK, so it is really a large pond...) a number of Red-eared Sliders were sunning on the logs. Most jumped back into the water as kids ran by but the largest paused to look me over.



On the way back to get some more checklists for the next group of Cubs I saw the only raptor we would see all day. A Red-tailed Hawk circled high above and then off into the distance. Didn't even hear a Red-shouldered Hawk today. Weird.



I was being distracted most of the day by some birds that were enjoying the Beauty Berry shrubs on the first part of the Nature Walk. Just inside the shade where the shrubs were growing, warblers and thrushes scattered every time we walked through. It was driving me crazy because I knew I could get some shots if it weren't for all the humans in tow.

So, at the end of the day I packed up and made a quiet walk back to the spot. The light had changed so it was all shade but who can complain when you can hangout with Black-throated Blue Warblers enjoying an afternoon snack?



My feet were killing me by the end of the day but a bunch of warbler shots certainly give me enough lift to make it back home.

Let's Get Back to Wilder Birds

Yeah. I have more BirdCam photos to share. Frankly, I am bored of them for now. So 'all-the-same' for so long. Have been busy trying to get Life back in order and I haven't had a chance to get out and about much but today I was forced to make a check on the banding site. Glad it happened.

By the time I got to the banding table, the place was humming with activity. Titmice, Prairie Warblers, Gnatcatchers, woodpeckers, and some bird flycatching in the midstory of the trees.

I was thinking it was our Great-crested at first but then it began to look different. Then I thought it was maybe an Acadian. Later study of photos and confirmation from Bruce Andreson revealed it to be an early Eastern Wood Pewee!



I had forgot to bring the binoculars so I could not ID some of the other members of the big flock. Other than the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds high up in the oaks.

Further down the trail I heard a sound I did not recognize at all. I spent a few minutes pinning it down to one section of branches. To my surprise it turned out to be a Carolina Chickadee!



I was just recalling, not long ago, that we don't see them here as compared to Wekiva. Note to self: keep making these statements to prove me wrong!

Loads of birds were also in the area. Carolina Wrens, Cardinals, Parula, and my first Ovenbird of the season.

Can't wait to see if all of these birds stick around until Sunday.