Lake Apopka New Year's Drive, Part 2

Made my way back around to the start of the drive and got a shot of the new sign and gate at the entrance. Rather penal-looking. They are now automated and open at sunrise and close by sunset. At the exit gate, you have to stop in a specific spot or it won't open. Should be interesting once the the stormy season begins!



Just past the gate I had another cooperative Eastern Phoebe.



Northern Harriers are difficult to get photos of. At least for me. They are always tilting this way and that and I find it hard to get a shot of their heads. Got this one but wish the light was better and it was pretty far away.



Fulvous Whistling Ducks are often seen flying quickly from one side of the property to another but seldom sitting in the water. In fact, last year was my first official record of them but it was only by hearing them calling just past a clump of reeds. Today I decided to walk out along the back berm to see if I could get a shot. Fortunately, a small flock flew in as I walked so I was able to get some photos.



Exploring further, I spotted a Ruddy Duck drifting along behind some trees.



A lone Ring-necked Duck was a bit more in the back.



A pleasent surprise was a Gadwall resting on a branch.



American Wigeons have been reported so I was hoping to find them. A pair swam out as I headed back to the car.



I now have sightings of American Wigeon from coast to coast in Florida and my first was out in Washington State years ago. The male gave me a nice wave "Goodbye!"



There was also a report of some Northern Shovelers but I missed them the last time. Got one just before getting in the car (and out of the wind) hiding way behind the grasses.



Near the end of the drive I spotted a flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks wandering through the grass.



A final bird of the drive. One of dozens of Belted Kingfisher. This one stared at me for a while instead of darting off like all the others.



Two trips around the drive is a nice way to begin the year. Hoping to make many more journeys out in 2016. Still need to get that Swamphen...

Walking Lake Davis in the Chill

We are entering the chilly season here in Florida. Glad I am not up North where temperatures are below freezing all over the place! We got to sleep in a bit and then I decided to take a walk around Lake Davis. When I got to the shore I first spotted one of the many Anhingas out today soaking up the morning sunshine.



I heard some knocking overhead and finally found the cause. A female Downy Woodpecker was exploring the upper reaches of one of the palm trees.



Quickly grabbing my attention was a few Forster's Terns fishing around the lake. Now I just had to get in the right lighting position. With the stiff winds, the birds were moving quickly and were hard to focus on. I finally zoned in on one particular bird and waited to shoot. Here, the bird wheels after spotting a fish and begins to dive.



Splash!



The Forster's Tern soon emerged from the water. If you look closely, you can make out the fish in the bird's bill.



While I was waiting for the tern photo-op, a dozen Yellow-rumped (Myrtle sub-species) Warblers were moving in to feed along the water's edge. I even managed to get a shot of one in the tree.



A lone Eastern Palm Warbler joined in on the feasting before heading into the oaks along the road.



I stayed as still as possible as a Yellow-rumped Warbler began its hunt. I could tell it was moving toward me so I froze in place and clicked away as it inched closer and closer.



Yellow-rumped Warblers move pretty quickly as they feed and getting shots of them is sometimes a chore. I was happy that this bird did not see me as a threat and it got so close that now the problem was being able to focus on a subject just feet away with the zoom lens. Any closer and the camera would not even be able to lock on for any more images.



Nearby, a couple of turtles basked in the morning light.



I moved around the lake and soon saw a flock of White Ibis resting in the water.



Over by the reeds, Blue-winged Teal began to come out from their shelters as the wind dropped a bit.



Blue-winged Teal are usually sleeping or digging their heads into the lake shore which makes for pretty boring shots. Today I got some nice profiles in the sunlight.



I didn't think about it when I was shooting, but this male Blue-winged Teal seems to have an added white stripe across the top of his head.



A large flock of ducks ended up in the windless corner of the lake and I noticed a different bird in the mix. Soon, I realized this was a Gadwall. I found two more quickly and figure they were the same three I had at Lake Weldona a bit ago.



Now at the other end of the lake, a couple of Muscovy Ducks moved toward me. Probably looking for a handout but then they noticed I was more interested in photography instead of duck feeding and headed back away from me.



I was actually trying to ease down the lake bank to get in position for one of my favorite birds. A Green Heron was seeking shelter from the wind behind a bunch of reeds and tolerated me as I crouched for some really close shots.



Green Herons are usually skittish around people. I knew one wrong, quick move and this bird would bolt for another location. I stayed quiet and low and we exchanged glances for a while.



A few minutes later, the bird began to scan the water and grabbed a tiny fish from the lake and gulped it down.



I wasn't expecting too much from a windy morning and was pleased I got some nice shots as I took a short stroll. Where to next?

Surprise Gadwalls

I had a little bit of time to stop by Lake Davis and Weldona on the way to me next chores for the day. I wanted to scan Davis for anything that might be new so I walked the perimeter for a bit to get close to the resting duck flock. Not a bunch of new birds around but I was drawn to a feeding Snowy Egret down by the reeds.



I almost didn't even notice the Western Palm Warbler feeding nearly at my feet as I watched the distant birds. There was a strange call from the reeds but it turned out to be a Common Yellowthroat that eventually flew to the West.



I headed toward the store and as I rounded the turn of Lake Weldona I saw a bird out of the corner of my eye and immediately knew it was a Gadwall. My first ever Gadwalls were found last year so they are kind of burned into my memory for now.



I have been trying to get a shot of this odd Ring-necked Duck that is now here for at least the second Winter. It is very white around the head but usually stays way out in the water. Just need to get the clouds out of the way.



I got out of the car and tried to ease toward the birds and the Sun peeked out enough for me to get a good shot. Last year I had them in rainy conditions and was not happy with the shots except for being able to add them to my Life List.



Also along the shore, a Great Blue Heron seemed to be overseeing the ducks gathered below. If I would have arrived several seconds later I would not have seen any of the Gadwalls as they tucked themselves along the bank.



Soon, the first Gadwall swam out and began to bathe and preen.



Then, two more Gadwalls drifted out from the shore to follow suit. Three Gadwalls here. I need to go back and see but I think that is how many I had on Lake Davis last year. Possibly the same group returning for the Winter.



I was trying to squeeze out a few more shots of the Gadwalls when the Ring-necked Duck came back out in the sunshine joined by an American Coot.



Not a bad score during a casual drive and the first new species of ducks for this entire season. Just wish we had more ducks around but migration has been slow all over the East Coast this year so I will take what I can get. The thing I don't get is why the city has trimmed the Cypress Trees along Lake Emerald just around the corner. Wood Ducks used to use them as resting spots. I don't get it.



I will have to keep paying attention to all of the local watering holes for a while. This finding was a nice addition to the Winter.

Around the Lake Before Our First Christmas

We have a kinda weird set-up for the Christmas Holidays. With other family scattered around the Central Florida are we have to split up visits. We also like to have 'official' Christmas morning at home and then need tome for both sets of Grandparents. That leads to 3 location (and days) of present opening. This year some of our relatives were spending Christmas Day elsewhere so we had to move our first day to Saturday. Before we headed over to the in-law's house I had a little time to do my daily lake checks. There were not any new species around but I did like some close shots like this one of one of the Blue-winged Teal.



Some might call them drab (especially when compared to the males) but I find those feathers plenty pretty enough.



Over on the shore, I found a Ring-necked Duck drake relaxing. I don't usually see this species just resting on land but I am glad I did today. Turned out nicely.



Usually, the Ring-necked Ducks are out in the water in flocks up to several hundreds. Half the time they are sleeping.



Some of the other ducks out with the flock are some Lesser Scaup. Only a few out there this year so far.



I was behind the cypress trees when I heard a familiar sound. Familiar but not at this location. Though Bald Eagles nest mere blocks away, they don't usually come by Lake Davis.



This Bald Eagle circled several times before heading over toward Lake Cherokee.



Perhaps the eagle was sizing up the copious number of American Coots. They are all over the lake this season.



Just when I thought our other 'special' ducks were gone, I finally found the Gadwalls but they were not together today but I got one shot of one swimming out toard the center of the lake.



Later in the day, after eating and opening gifts, I checked out another lake in Winter Park. There were only a few Pied-billed Grebes way out across the water but I did have a visit at sunset from a Wood Stork gilded in gold before the day ends.



One Christmas down, 2 to go...