Barber Park

I often drive past Barber Park or drive through the parking lot in case anything is sitting in the front pond but today I decided to stop and take a walk out to the lake and see what I could find out in the fields.

A train of Muscovy ducks were hiking toward the marsh in the center of the parking areas and Eastern Phoebes and several Western Palm Warbler were snatching insects. This Palm hopped right over to me.



There is a retention pond between the parking areas and the lake just off to the side of the soccer fields. They have planted some native plants in here to make it look nice and it attracts some nice birds from time to time. There were Phoebes, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Great Blue Heron keeping an eye on me as I made my way around toward the lake.



I could hear Yellow-rumped Warblers all along the tree lines but they were not making themselves seen for more than a second. I circled back around the opposite side of the canal and posted up for a few minutes. Eventually, a single bird pause just in front of me for a few seconds.



The Western Palm Warblers were much more conspicuous as they flitted out into the open, fed in the grasses, and perched on shrubby branches just about everywhere.



One more close-up. How can I resist?



On the way out I spotted a White-winged Dove trying to hide in the shadows. Did not expect that here. I took a look high overhead and spotted a Bald Eagle soaring over the lake.



I headed back to the car and had a single Muscovy Duck just coming back out of the marsh. Usually they are mostly black. I can't recall a silver one. Much less with a Mohawk!



I did not have as many species as I had hoped for but it was a nice walk. Where are all the birds this season? Seems thin.

Finally, Another Robin Frenzy!

Cruising through the Greenwood Cemetery to check on the Bald Eagle nest I noticed a bit of bird activity on the ground around the bend. We have had a pretty slow Winter when it comes to migratory birds but I showed up at the right time for one of the annual American Robin feeding frenzies. Before these birds head back toward the North they swarm the trees and landscape for al the fruit they can get to fatten up for the journey. They really like Camphor berries.



I took my usual spot under the big Camphor tree and soon the Robins were dropping down to make sure I was no threat before they resumed their feast.



Other birds were inspecting the tree like this Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker. This cemetery is my reliable place for this species.



A Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler posed for a few seconds in the middle of her search for insects. Yellow-rumps and Cedar Waxwing numbers were way down this season. Particularly the Waxwings that often trail the Robin flocks.



This male American Robin barely gave me a second glance as he swooped down directly beneath my perch. I could hardly get him in focus!



He soon wandered a few more feet out in the open and started gulping fruit.



I am not sure if I will get another chance to find a feeding flock again this Winter. It is almost time for them to go home. Just have to enjoy it while I can.



Next year, bring your Waxwing friends along with you, please. Though I love you guys just as much.

Meanwhile, Back at Mead...

I finally had a short time slot to head out to Mead Botanical Garden and got right at 8 AM. I found a feeding flock of bird almost immediately but the sunrise was directly in back of them and I thought it would be rude to walk on the neighborhood lawns so most of the birds were in deep shadow. The only one that came out to play was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.



Deciding to walk off the trail for a bit, I dove into the wooded area near the creek and soon got to an opening where a Great Blue Heron was soaking up the morning sun. I wanted a head-on shot but he had other ideas and walked the other direction.



To my left, a Great Egret was on a root just above the water and this bird decided to pose nicely.



Up around the pond, a flock of White Ibis fed along the shoreline. Adult and juvenile (pictured) Ibis were busily probing the grass and shallow water for any morsels they could find.



Near the butterfly garden I started to see flocks of warblers streaming toward the marsh. That part of the boardwalk is technically off-limits as it is in disrepair. I still head out there from time to time but it is getting really dicey now. Boards are rotting and plants, like Climbing Hempweed, are taking over the railings.



Just around the next bend an Eastern Phoebe landed ahead of me. I could hear other Phoebes calling in other spots along the marsh.



I finally caught up to the flocks of Myrtle Warblers I was after. They were right where I thought they would be. Chowing down on Wax Myrtle berries that are in big numbers out in the back of the old boardwalk.



It was time to head toward home and on the way I decided to stop by the church ponds to scan for incoming ducks. No new ducks were there but I did have a couple of Palm Warblers that let me walk right up to them for some nice full-frame shots.



A nice batch of birds and fresh air. Now that I have a nice full-time job again I will have limited time to bird like I used to, especially with these shorter days of late Fall. Not a bad problem to have, I guess. The birds will be out there somewhere when I get a chance to visit them.

Day Two of Cedar Waxwing Watching

I headed out a little earlier today to see if I could get some better shots of the Cedar Waxwings in better light. There was still plenty to eat and plenty of Waxwings to watch.



Instead of Palm Warblers that were also in the tree yesterday there were many Yellow-rumped Warblers joining in on the feast.



I have never eaten a Loquat fruit but if it makes Waxwings lick their 'lips' they must be pretty tasty.



Yellow-rumped Warblers are primarily insectivores and I was actually surprised to see some eating berries on a Wax Myrtle (where this subspecies, 'Myrtle Warbler, gets its name) last month. Today they were sampling the Loquats.



Another insect eater, a Downy Woodpecker, was also spied eating the fruit.



A group of ladies out for a walk stopped after they noticed the birds and asked about them. I explained the species and that they will be going back North soon, all the while snapping photos. Good thing I kept trying for the photo I wanted. One of the ladies suddenly made a move that frightened all the Cedar Waxwings back high into the surrounding Oak trees. That last shot was my best of the morning.



Sometimes the Waxwings are here into mid-April. Might still be a chance for more fun viewings.

Birding While Waiting For Music

My son and a few other band members were selected for State Solo and Ensemble being help up in Sanford and I had to take him and hang out before they performed.



It was a nice day but I wasn't hearing much bird activity. In fact, the only thing that caught my attention for the first 30 minutes was a cloud with a pileus-type skirt.



A small flock of Cedar Waxwings flew by at one point but I couldn't get a bird photo until I circled around the back of the school and found some Yellow-rumped Warblers on the edge of the woods.



I made my way to the opposite side of campus and was hoping to get some views out on the lake. However, the vegetation was too thick. Then I spotted a flock of White Ibis feeding in a retention pond. Many of them were males in full breeding colors.



On the other end of the pond was a younger male and a juvenile White Ibis feeding by themselves.



Back near the lake, a male Boat-tailed Grackle called and played with twigs.



The school is in the flight path of a major airport not far away and large planes would head in for a landing every few minutes.



A female Boat-tailed Grackle flew into the retention pond to try its luck for a meal.



Then, several of the male White Ibis began bathing in the shallow water.



Splish, splash!



Soon, it was time to go in for the performance. The kids did great on some intricate pieces. The Quintet earned scores of 'Excellent' and I coaxed them into letting me get a group shot. Great job, gang!



There are a lot of very talented kids in the band, as always. My son is in his senior year and still has a Wind Ensemble competition and a Jazz concert to come before the end of the year. Then off to college. My, how time flies...

Lake Lotus Stroll

We decided not to do our usual Sunday banding stint since we were at the Orlando Wetlands Festival all day yesterday but I still had to haul all the gear back and get set for next week. Once I got everything back in place I decided to take a stroll down the net lanes and see if we were missing anything. It was actually pretty quiet so I didn't feel guilty about sleeping in for once.

I actually didn't even hear much bird activity until I reached the the end of the lanes. I spotted a pretty male Yellow-rumped Warbler on the opposite side of the river and tried to get a shot. Before I could get him to turn around, a female flew directly in my direction to capture a bug and landed not far from me. I'll take that one, instead!



The Wild Radish plants have really come in strong this year. When we first ID'd this plant a couple of years ago there were a couple blooming radish. Now, they are spreading all over along the river.



The only spot that did have a lot of activity was around Net 21, our final net on the property. Dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding among the willows.



Closer to the water, a Swamp Sparrow scurried about in the grasses but never would come out into the open fully. I could hear several more calling on the marshes.



One more Yellow-rumped Warbler for the day. Seems like they are beginning to fuel up for their long trip North soon.



I was hoping to get a shot of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet but it stayed deep in the shadows. Above the Kinglet, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher appeared and fed right in front of me. Pretty easy pickin's for it and for photos



It was a nice relaxing walk after my morning labors. Now I had to head back home for more chores.

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?