Baby Anhingas

I was going to get some weeding done at the banding site today but figured I was too tired after a few days of heading upstate to check in on the happenings at Brass Camp where our youngest was attending his second year. Fun thing for them and always amazing how much progress all the kids make in just a few days.

Instead, I headed down to the site to at least take inventory of things we might have to deal with next week. I got there at 8:30 AM and it got hot. Fast. No breeze and high humidity. Good thing I skipped harder work today. Once I made all of my mental notes in an hour I was soaked from head to toe from sweat.

One the way home I got a second wind thanks to the car's AC and decided to check in on Kraft Azalea Park. I figured all the Great Egret and Double-crested Cormorant chicks would all be fledged and gone but who knows. Might be something there. It was very quiet. Couldn't even find a Wood Duck. As I was completing the last part of the lakeside property I finally heard some chatter up in the trees.



Baby Anhingas! That one was up in the branches by itself taking a stretch. Then I spotted another nest full of Anhinga chicks.



Then another, and another. They were all in a few oaks all here by the road. This pair just relaxed on a branch. Adults would sometimes fly in and out during food runs.



This bird actually flew in and chased off a Great Egret.



The Egret settled in some lower branches. Probably waiting to steal some food from the clumsy chicks.



While I was walking around for better angles I was definitely smelling some critter in a state of decay. I couldn't find it anywhere, though. Eventually, however, I spotted it. It appeared that an adult male had slipped of the branch and got its head caught in the limbs. You can barely make it out in the photos. Probably for the best. I still don't know how that chick is going to be, mentally, after fledging while its Dad hangs dead just beneath the nest. Ew.



Life in the big, bad, jungle. Nice to know that the Anhingas do nest here after the other species. Extends the photography season a bit more.

Quiet Mead, Surprise at Kraft Azalea

Still quiet at Mead Garden. THe best I could do was to get some shots of a male Downy Woodpecker before this woman walked right into my space while I was shooting and began shooting pictures of plants. Right between me and the Downy, which promptly left. Thanks!



So, I head over to Kraft Azalea Park since I haven't been there in a long time. Maybe warblers would be hanging out near the lake. Nope. Once I got to the lake's edge, however, I started hearing a sound I have never heard before. I had to search pretty hard before discovering it was a baby Anhinga!

There were many of them, in fact. They must breed here after the Cormorants and Great Egrets get out of the way. The trees are full of those two species in April.



Farther along the shore, an adult Anhinga takes a breather from the demanding chicks and rearranges his feathers.



Heading back to the van I spotted even more Anhinga chicks high up in the branches.



More interesting was what sounded like a Great Egret chick calling. I eventually spotted it near an adult. Seems to be a late bloomer or from a second clutch. It also appears to be stuck in the limbs. Nothing I can do about that.



Nature rolls on but I am still craving more migrants that my brain knows won't really be here for two more weeks.

Kraft Azalea Egrets and Palm's Hawks

I totally missed the breeding season at Kraft Azalea Park last year. Nearly missed it again this year but, fortunately, Mead Garden was overrun by British cars for a show. It was too nice a day to just head back home. As usual, once you turn the corner to the park the noise is unavoidable. Great Egrets have nests everywhere and the chicks are very hungry.



In another tree, an adult in breeding plumage rests before the next feeding round.



The Great Egret in most nests are getting very large and they seem to dictate the feeding once the parents return by grabbing onto them almost immediately.



For some reason I find this stressed out look on this parent a bit humorous.



On and on at all the nests.



On the way home I stopped by Palm Cemetery which I used to go by all the time when I was in Tech school. Not a lot of birds but I did find a Blue-headed Vireo way up above.



Calling and circling the gold course, Red-tailed Hawks were rising up on the thermals.



Besides adult Red-tailed Hawks there was another bird I had to ask about since it looked like a Short-tailed Hawk but had a belly band like a Red-tailed. Friends confirmed it is a molting juvenile Red-tailed.



A nice end to a beautiful drive.

Checking the Egret Rookery

Kids are growing fast. Wouldn't be surprised if some haven't already tested their wings. You can still tell the older chicks by their unkempt hair.



I still find it hard to believe that these large birds can build and maintain such small nests. Once the chicks get this big there is no room for Mom or Dad.



There are still some younger chicks around but very few. Only a couple calling constantly anymore. Most are busy preening their new feathers.



High overhead, Anhinga fly in and out of their treetop nests. Wonder when I will ever see any of those chicks? There are several adults drying in the sunlight.



Nearby, a pair of Wood Ducks rests on the cypress knees.



Wood Ducks are often very skittish. This pair allowed me too get a little closer but they were still nervous.



I was about to try for an even closer shot when something caught my eye to the left. An Anhinga chick! So they are leaving the nests. It just appeared out of an azalea bush and wandered straight toward the Wood Ducks. Timed that one right.



Farther down the bank, a newly emerged Anhinga adult climbs onto a cypress tree to start drying off.



Just over the water's edge, resting on a Button Bush tree, was a gorgeous Spicebush Swallowtail.



Finally, a foraging adult Great Egret still sports breeding plumage and glides slowly through the garden searching for lizards.



Not much time left to visit these young birds. They will be ready to move on and I will wrap up school soon and will not be so close for lunch breaks. Have to enjoy it while I can.

Kraft Great Egret Rookery

I had been worrying about the Great Egret rookery at Kraft Azalea Park after our big storms recently but when I went to check on it the roads were closed due to construction. I finally made my way through by now opened side streets. Babies galore!

Previous visits were a bit frustrating since the branches of the oaks were blocking most good shots of the birds. I was greeted by the sounds of many Great Egret chicks sounding off and right near the parking lot I got my first view of a Great Egret. After watching for about 30 seconds I noticed some movement under the adult in front of me.



A step stool may have helped me get a better view (which I may try tomorrow) but I was glad to get a view of my first chick sighting! In the tree to the right of that nest was another nest with two chicks. One was climbing on the edge of the nest and I had to maneuver around to get a clear shot.



Another nest provided another good view.



In a nest with two chicks I found them panting under the Florida sun and then nipping at each other's bills.



Unfortunately, I did find some carnage. There were several pilfered egg shells under some nest sites and one chick that apparently fell out and died.



Life in the big jungle.

I will definitely head back for more photo ops as the chicks fledge. I can't help but wonder how the neighbors like the cacophony of all of these chicks calling non-stop.

Kraft Azalea Anhinga

Back out at the Kraft Azalea Park the Egrets are still prepping for chicks. Headed down to the dock and found a pair of Wood Ducks resting on the rails. Was able to sneak close enough to get some shots without spooking them too much.



As I headed back around the lake shore toward the van I glanced right and noticed an Anhinga sunning on a Cypress tree.



Doesn't appear to be too old as the breeding colors are not too pronounced as the other males in the area.



A good close up of a great bird. I find it amusing to hear visitors wonder if they are some Disney construct.



Waiting on the Great Egret Chicks to arrive. Warm weather is back and Spring is sprung.

Kraft Azalea Park, Again.

A new Monday and another trip to Kraft Azalea. Still a lot of breeding birds and still not a great place to get good light at 11 AM. I tried. I liked this weird light on this Great Egret.



Nearby, another bird displays up in the branches.



Almost constantly, other birds bring in twigs to build up their nests. Nearly angelic.



Wood Ducks are always present but rarely accommodating. Best I could do as this pair rushed out of the weeds.



Saving the best for last, I did have some interesting light on this bird displaying before I left.



Kind of repetitive, but I probably will be back not too long from now. Heard an owl calling but could not located it.

Another Visit to Kraft Azalea Park

Weather was perfect but things were very busy at the cemetery so I ran back over to Kraft to see what was what. Same stuff, basically but a lot more folks there taking pictures of the Egrets. I headed to the lake first to see about Wood Ducks. Yep, still there. Several males and a couple females scooting back and forth. Males were very vocal.



Nearby, a female rests on a bit of culvert concrete.



Still not in a great spot for Egret photos but I did get some display shots today. The birds begin either by shifting some nest material or by doing a quick preen and then begin to spread those feathers.



Next, they rock a bit and begin to lean back.



The nexus of the display is having their heads all the way back to their backs.



And...relax...



Unfortunately, there are signs that things are not totally peaceful in the rookery. We had a storm blow through yesterday and either the winds, careless footsteps, or predators have knocked a few eggs from the nests.



Out near the street we finally get to see a bird in full view.



Under the oaks we get a close-up look at the green that comes in on breeding birds. Spectacular.



Can't wait to get back out there next week.