Meet the Limpkin Family

We were on our way to a friends house and had a short time to take a walk around a local lake smack in the middle of a very active city environment. I have seen some birds here at Lake Lily in the past but that was usually during the middle of Winter. Spring is here so I didn't expect too much.

There were a few ducks, as usual, but all of the warblers had moved on. A flock of White Ibis prowled the shoreline but not much else was on the west side of the lake. Perhaps the festival that was now wrapping up had something to do with it.

We continued on to the Eastern side of the boardwalk and did find some Boat-tailed Grackles and various turtles. I started to notice a ton of Apple Snail eggs on the bull rushes as e headed this way. Why didn't I see any Limpkin here? They LOVE Apple Snails.

Of course, I have never seen a Limpkin around this area before in the past so why would I expect one here. Except for the buffet that seemed to be brewing all around the lake...

We ventured farther out on the back boardwalk and did manage to find a relaxing Common Moorhen.



Just past the end of the boardwalk we spotted an Anhinga with the craziest hairdo I have ever seen on one. He was hanging out with a couple of friends and allowed dozens of shots.



That was a nice end to the walk, I figured, as we had made it almost all the way around the lake and were getting close to the van again. Suddenly, however, a pair of Limpkin appeared! Both were near the sidewalk and seemed to be actively collecting snails.

I moved in close for some shots. The birds didn't seem to even notice me.



Nor did I notice the other inhabitants right under my lens. As I moved on from my present subject, Carolyn mentioned that there were chicks down in the rushes. What do ya know? There were two fluffy chicks resting on the edge of the lake. The floor or their home was littered with discarded Apple Snail shells.



Just to the right of these two was yet another chick! It followed Dad in and tried to help pry loose the sweet snail flesh.



Dad went straight back to snail hunting and walked right toward me. I had a difficult time keeping focus as he was approaching so quickly. Still ended up nice and sharp.



Meanwhile, one of the chicks waited and stretched on the shore.



Soon, it tried to emulate its father in the snail collecting business.



My favorite shot, though, was when Dad was coming back with a snack and the chick excitedly flapped its sprouting wing feathers.



So, a whim of a walk turned into an exciting photo shoot. The kind of happy accident I love.

Barred Owl Baby

The monthly Mead Garden bird count turned up fewer birds than expected. However, there is a new addition to the Garden. A new Barred Owl!

Mamma was sitting close to her chick but they were both in a tree easily seen by anyone who cared to just look up.



In fact, on the way back to the parking lot later, I noticed a family enjoying a picnic right under the tree where the owls were resting. I pointed up and the kids were thrilled.

Spring is in full gear!

Romeo Cardinal at Work

He is back.

Last year I had a post about a co-worker calling me over reporting a bird calling on the corner of the building. Turned out to be a male Cardinal singing his heart out.

A year later and he is back. A month later but...

It is easy shooting when they sit outside a tinted window.

Great-crested Flycatcher

Ah, one of my favorite sounds in the Spring. Calling Great-crested Flycatchers.

Several have been roaming the neighborhood. This one was out at Mead Garden with a mate just flying and calling through the trees.



Even when the other birds are moving North this is a welcome sight, indeed.

Summer Tanager

A very rainy April morning and I just got back from picking up my oldest Scout. I glanced out through the back door window and saw a little rainbow in the gloom.



It was the best I could do in the pouring rain. It stayed for a few hours, shifting through the soggy feed but it sure brightened the day!

Greenwood Juvenile Eagles

One more trip through the Greenwood cemetery before the young eagles fly off. 2 were spotted up in the pines about 50 yards from the old nest tree.



Hope they find safety on their journey.

Sanibel Island, Take 2

One more trip around Ding Darling. This time right at dawn. A few more birds, including Spoonbills, but still not a huge amount of anything. Was hoping to find a Mangrove Cuckoo but no luck.

Nearing the backstretch, I did find a rather comfy looking Brown Pelican.



Decided to take a trail we passed yesterday in hopes of some Vireos but they were not to be found. Many Common Ground Doves were wandering about, though.



At the far end of the trail was a lone Tri-colored Heron fishing. On the way back, all I could manage was a rabbit.



On the way home, we swung into Ponce DeLeon Park at Punta Gorda. The bird guides listed Cuckoos as being here, too, but we only found more pelicans and a cooperative Green Heron.

Sanibel Island, Take 1

The wife and I finally took a vacation. All 2 1/2 days of it.

We headed to Sanibel for a little break. I haven't been there since I was a child when I lived in Key West. The tales of tons of shells has always been the draw. Now, beach combers are on the shores from sunrise to sunsets (and beyond) so the chances of finding nice shells just there on the beach is very diminished.

It was soon discovered, however, that by walking out a bit into the shallow waters you can start to feel some shells under you feet just under the sand. We spent numerous hours lying in the two-foot water scooping through the sand as we soaked up some rays.

We came back with some nice unbroken specimens. Some of the best were still occupied so we had to return them to their homes. Shadow boxes are in the planning stages.

The hardest part for me was not having the camera attached to me at all times. Especially with some birds cruising the beach in great light. I complied with the restraint for a lot of the trip.

I did get to take a few pictures on a couple of strolls, though.

We also made a stop out at Ding Darling, my first stop there ever, but the birds were not as plentiful as I was hoping for. Made some ID shots of Red Knots and herons but the numbers I had read about in the past were just not there.

One bird that was in close range was this Anhinga way up in a mangrove tree.



The birds tempting me the most were the few shorebirds that were fairly oblivious to all of the human activity. There was a Black-bellied Plover hanging out close to us on day one that I just really wanted a shot of. Fortunately, it was still there when we took a walk later in the day.



Also feeding along the waves were several Willet. I think this may one of my favorite shots of one in a while.



The other fun birds were some terns feeding off-shore and the Brown Pelicans that were diving for fish mere feet from us during the stay.



For time to time we were also graced with visits from porpoise feeding just a little farther out in the waves.

At night I would take some lighthouse shots and we planned to make the rounds of the island again tomorrow. That will be part two.

Lake Mendsen Birds

Yes, I went back for yet another Yellow-headed Blackbird check. Might be the last. It seems it is really gone. No new reports and no new sightings by me.

Other birds are still there, though. Loads of Boat-tailed Grackles and a Double-crested Cormorant or two. Spotted a tern the other day.

Nice to see a Wood Stork prowling the edges of the small pond.



Along the other shore there lurked a Great-blue Heron.



Meanwhile, down in the duck weed, appropriately enough, was a female Mallard.



Nothing spectacular but still nice to wander among the wildlife.

Common Yellowthroat

Still thinking of a way to get better Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Not finding them today.

However, there was a very curious Common Yellowthroat bouncing around the bull rushes.



Better than nothing, I suppose.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Took yet another swing past Lake Mendsen to see if the Yellow-headed Blackbird was still around. No luck. However, as I stepped out of the van and walked toward the lake shore, the most red-bellied Red-bellied Woodpecker landed on a tree branch not more than 10 feet in front of me.

The light was perfect as evening drew near.



He only stuck around for a minute but it was a memorable one.

Still Thinking of Yellow-headed Blackbirds

Like I suggested at the end of the last post on the Yellow-headed Blackbird, I couldn't get it out of my head. I needed to swing around the area today and see if it was still around.

I didn't find it near the restaurant so I hurried across the street to Lake Mendsen (it DOES have a real name) and stepped out of the van to the sound of a really raspy call in the bull rushes. Not two minutes later, the bird appeared.

It was in shade and in the rushes for most of the time. Then it flew off across the lake and, soon, back again. I lost sight of it and was about to give up. I headed back toward the van and couldn't believe what I saw. The bird was feeding along the ground, again in shade, right near the parking lot!



Just after that shot it flew over the hotel and back toward the restaurant. I let it be. Nearby, Boat-tailed Grackles cleaned up and fed along the shore.



Next, a very inquisitive White Ibis flew down next to me and posed in the light of the setting sun. One of my favorite Ibis shots to date. Much more impressive in a larger format.



Someday, I hope to get a more clear shot of the Blackbird. It was nice to have it around. Hope it makes it back to its real home.

Greenwood Eagles

Had a few minutes so I drove back into the cemetery to see if I could get a glimpse of the Pileated Woodpeckers nesting in the dead eagle tree. As soon as I got out of the van I heard a cry and looked east. Flying toward me were 3 juvenile Bald Eagles. These were the young that fledged just before the old nest fell from the tree a couple of weeks ago.



Not far behind them was Momma who landed on a nearby pine tree as the 3 youngsters landed in the nest tree. One of the 3 flew off again soon to be joined by Pop. The two of them headed out toward the neighboring lakes. The other two sat up top and watched as Momma called out to remind them where she was.



Soon, Pop flew back in carrying a fish. He landed above me and one of the fledglings tried to move in for a snack. The two were trying to get the fish into position when it came loose and fell 50 feet to the ground not far from where I stood. Both of the eagles just kind of stared at the fish but didn't try to go after it.

The look, to me, said, "Dang...".



A few minutes later, Momma flew in from her perch and scooped up the fish and quickly had the 3 others following after her. A very interesting episode to behold.

Then I remembered. I was here to look for woodpeckers. They didn't disappoint.



On the way back to the van I had a quick encounter with a Northern Mockingbird.



Never know what you might find when you aren't even looking for it...

Starling and Red-bellied Woodpecker

I wandered over to Greenwood Wetlands to check out the action, if any. I was hoping to get some shots of the nesting Pileated Woodpeckers at the cemetery but had no luck. Eagles weren't around, either.

So, I strolled the small lakes of the wetlands. Red-winged Blackbirds were calling. A heron here, Moorhen there. Not too much happening. There were a pair of Limpkin hanging out on the far shore but not much else.

On the way back to the car, however, I did get some cooperative Starlings. Usually, they take off on close approach but this trio was more interested in feeding and let me get some shots that were not like my previous attempts that were 30 feet overhead on a power line. This shot was my favorite.



Even though they are invasive, looking at this coloration, how can you not like them just a little bit?

A little farther up, almost at the parking lot, a woodpecker flew in and posed for a few moments just above me.



Every bird in the neighborhood is showing signs of preparing for the nesting season. Can't wait.

Mockingbird Chick

I was leaving work and off to volunteer for some Scout help when I decided to check on the local Hooded Mergansers across the street from the office. There were two females left. I started to take some shots when I heard a noise behind me.

I decided to investigate as it was quite a loud call back in the Lagustrum shrubs.

There, in the back side of the shrubs, was a small but very vocal chick. The first Mockingbird baby of the season.



I dug in with the lens so I wouldn't have to approach too closely. Mom and Dad were defending the far side of the parking lot so I worked quickly and left the chick in peace.

Spring has indeed sprung.

Upon leaving the Scout volunteering, I heard my first Chuck Will's Widow calling in the trees behind the Scout building after 9:30 PM.

Yellow-headed Blackbird: Success!

The thought of the Yellow-headed Blackbird was haunting me still after not finding it yesterday. I had to swing by the sighting spot again. There was another birder there who had driven all the way from the Tampa area to try and find it.

We sat on a cement culvert and waited. She had thought she had spotted it briefly before it disappeared into the reeds. So, wait we did.

After nearly and hour it appeared! It hung close to the reed and preened for what seemed like forever. Not a good view for a shot. But I took several anyway just for positive ID purposes.

Satisfied with her find, the woman headed home. Said she had a dog to walk after a long drive home. I stayed and waited longer, hoping the bird would come out in the open. Some folks visiting the restaurant next the the spot noticed my camera and came over to chat. Wanted to know if there were good hiking spots nearby for visitors to explore.

I notice that whenever I am out with this new digital camera I get more curious people asking either what I am taking photos of and since I seem to know about birds then I must know other outdoor information. Luckily, I do!

Right after the last visitor got their info from me the bird seemed to be done with preening and began to slide down toward the water for a drink. Then, it hopped out onto the fence.



There he was! Just looking around and posing. Even though it was at a bit of a distance I thought my shots were more in focus. Maybe my heart was pounding more than I realized in this shady spot holding a long lens at its max focus.



I managed one more full shot just before it vanished back into the bull rushes to hide.



Ah, success. Now I could go home and forget about this wayward bird. Or could I...?

Hunting for a Wayward Visitor

Word spread fast that an out of town bird watching group had found a Yellow-headed Blackbird lurking in some reeds behind a hotel. Best news was that it was just minutes form our house! No need to run 2 hours to get a new bird.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds are most common out West. Every now and then there is a sighting here in Florida. Strong fronts have been sweeping in of late and may have ushered this bird in the wrong direction.

I had some chores to run first thing in the morning so I would pass by the area on the way. It was just around dawn so I hoped traffic, cars and bird watchers alike, would be at a minimum.

I got to the spot and waited. Scanned the reeds. Waited. Nothing in sight but Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles. Still, it is fun to watch the male Red-wings performing their calls and flaring their wings.



Not much else to see. Until a Limpkin flew in to look for Apple Snails.



Time was running out for today. No Yellow-headed Blackbird. I would have to try again next time.

Dang.

Swans are Back

Took the circular route home to see if the Ring-necked Ducks were still around (they are, in smaller numbers) and noticed the unmistakable white blobs of swan shapes on a far shore. I swung by to see if I could get some shots.

Two of the many local swans had returned and were looking for a handout but all I had was goodwill and my camera. So they fed off of the bottom of the lake and preened.



I just love watching them dip and rise and trying to get some shots of water dripping off of their bills.



The day was closing fast but the light was nice. The shutter kept clicking away for a few more minutes. The swans just fed and posed.



Just as I was heading back to the car another white shape swooped in and landed nearby. It was a Great Egret with something for dinner. Couldn't tell from where I was so I slowly approached the bird to get a better look.



To my surprise, it looked like it had snatched up a young soft-shelled turtle! It kept try to figure out how to swallow it whole. Before it could do that, though, it flew off to the other side of the lake. Hope it didn't choke!

Migration North is Almost Here

March already? Not much even happened in February...

I figured I had better stop by the local lakes to get a shot of some Ruddy Ducks. Almost time for them to head back north. They usually are resting out near the center of Lake Davis but this afternoon they were sitting and slashing near the shore.

This female Ruddy seemed quite comfortable.



I was especially interested in attempting to get a shot of the male. He was a bit farther out but not to far out to not be able to see his bill and plumage changing toward his Summer attire.



Also along the shoreline was a beautiful Tri-colored Heron who didn't seem to mind my close proximity at all.



On the way back to the car I spotted another bird ready to head home. A Yellow-rumped (Mytle) Warbler. Haven't seen as many this year.



Time to go searching before all the Winter birds turn towards their Summer home.

Say's Phoebe Revisited

Had a scant few minutes in an otherwise busy day leading up to Super Bowl time so I ran over for another try at the Say's Phoebe. I really wanted to get it on this year's checklist and after missing it a month ago figured, "Why not?".

A few other birders were new arrived before me and were starting to scan the field where it usually hangs out. No luck there. They scanned the field to the east and, sure enough, it was hanging out in the midday sun collecting insects and preening.



The sounds of nearby Red-shouldered Hawks failed to send it flying for cover. It spent most of it's time cleaning feathers and watching as a Northern Mocking bird fed at closer range.



I stayed as long as I could but not coax it to get into a closer position for a real good shot. Not to be without a major lens or teleconverters. Oh, well.

On the way back to the turnpike, I swung past the rapidly disappearing Kingbird roost area. I was surprised by a Bald Eagle sitting in a dead tree near the road and screeched to a halt. After noticing that my camera setting were way off, I corrected that and once I looked up the bird was prepared to take flight.

Luckily, it did so in my direction.



Not bad for a few extra minutes on the way home!

Backyard Mockingbird

I was trying to see if I could find anything of interest in the backyard. Maybe a Goldfinch or some other migrant.

Instead, our resident Mockingbirds decided it was time for a snack and flew into the Beauty Berries to chow down. This bird let me get within a couple yards without flinching.

Hungry, indeed.



One of the others in the bush was a bird I banded late last year. Sometimes I take our Mockers for granted but they are lovely birds.