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...

Birding in Between Presents

Spent the morning opening presents at home and then went off to edition 2 at the in-laws. They live by a lake so I always have to take a break to look for birds down along the shore when I can. The first trip out did not reveal much but there was at least a Pied-billed Grebe in the lily pads.



Looking up, I saw a Great Egret drifting by but not stopping for a better photo.



I did also note some specks approaching from the center of the lake and it turned out to be my first Ruddy Ducks of the season.



I was hoping that they would come closer but something spooked them and they soon headed back out into the safety of the open waters for the rest of the day.



I was called back inside for a family photo and the opening of presents. Then we had to wait a while before eating so I headed back out to the shore. Soon, the Pied-billed Grebe emerged again and began feeding near the dock.



I had hoped that the bird would get away from the post of the dock but it soon quickly dove down and brought up something special.



An afternoon crawfish was in the bird's bill! You never know what might be lurking under the water.



Gulp!



Many Palm Warblers were feeding along the fence line and I finally managed to sneak over and get a closer shot before they dove back into the hedges.



Then I got an unexpected shot. A female Belted Kingfisher flew in, unaware of my hiding place. I will take it!



Time for dinner. Afterwards, I went out one more time and looked for more birds. Instead, I had another interesting view. Sundogs were beginning to form to the North around the quickly setting Sun. I like how this seems like a prehistoric fish.



Waiting for the next one to the South, I focused on some thicker clouds until a more fully spectral display tried to form.



The dark was fast approaching and it was clear that the human activity would not allow any better bird findings. So, I had to be satisfied with a closing image of a pair of fisher-folk before the last of the rays were gone.



Another year of the end Christmas was upon us. We would end our evening at the Living Nativity soon and then our family had to prepare for a few more days of presents across the state. Not too bad for gifts at the lake.

Black Point Drive, Part 1

Since I had the Jay Watch luncheon just to the north, I planned to go home via I-95 so I was able to swing through Black Point Drive on Merritt Island hoping to get my latest Nemesis Bird, the Gadwall. This duck is reported nearly every year but I never seem to find them. I had direct sighting locations all week from the locals so chances were good i could get it this time.

Black Point is now charging $5 for a single day visit, so plan accordingly. Yearly passes can be purchased, too. I paid my fee and headed around the familiar curves and soon found a Great Egret where they almost always are just past Stop 1.



Nothing of real interest was at Stop 2 but the American Coot numbers really picked up by Stop 3. The Sun was beginning to drop low in the sky so I had to keep moving if I was to fined the Gadwall.



By the time I looked up the road toward Stop 4 I could see that there must be something good ahead. Cars were parked all along the shoulder. I arrived in the area and raised my binoculars. Just next to the American Wigeons was my target. Gadwall!



The drake and 2 hens feed alone but near the Wigeons. Interesting shape to their heads.



Not bad. Target bird checked off and the ponds were full of birds. Most I have seen in years. Thousands of Coots, many species of ducks, and in the back of the pond White Pelicans gulped down fish under the watchful eyes of Roseate Spoonbills.



Several Coots were diving near the side of the road when, suddenly, a Ruddy Duck popped up between them. Haven't seen a lot of them around this season.



As I was photographing the Ruddy Duck i saw a bright flash to my right. A Horned Grebe! Blink and you would miss it, and I could only manage a blurry shot before it dove back underwater over and over.



A bit farther down the drive, a Reddish Egret posed in the waning light.



Another species at Stop 4 was a large number of Northern Shoveler.



The plainer females and juveniles are fun to watch but seeing the males in bright plumage is striking.



Finally making my way past Stop 4 I glanced to my left and saw some other species in between the mangroves. Northern Pintails and Mottled Ducks rested apart from the bustling pond.



I decided to hurry around the rest of the loop and circle back around to see if the Gadwall would move even closer to shore before the light disappeared. Up in the larger impoundments the Coot numbers were staggering. In one stretch a large raft of them were streaming around the mangroves in a huge line before dispersing into the open water. I didn't even try to count them.



Part 2 will highlight the rest of my findings but for now, I have to hurry back to the entrance!

Ruddy Ducks Decide to Join In

It has been a quiet year for Ruddy Ducks on Lake Davis. We usually have quite a few in the flock but it took until today to actually see any this season. But, there were few out there as I looked for the Redhead again.



The Redhead is still there. Quite a good span of time for our rare visitor!



Hoping the Ruddys will stick around for a while, too.

Some of the Winter Ducks

They were way out there but still there. My first shots of the Winter Ducks of the season.

Mainly a small flock of Ring-necked Ducks.



Better yet, there was another new arrival. Our first Ruddy Duck! It is the one at the bottom with its head tucked in.



Many, many more to arrive!