North Lake Jessup Has New Name

First off, I am disappointed with my horrible shots on this trip but I thought it was worth a post anyway. Exposure off? Was it the heavy winds blowing me off balance in the mud? Who knows. It is always fun to get out to Lake Jessup on most occasions, though. Most birds were far away so the close cropping doesn't help, either.

Also, it seems that what I knew as the North Lake Jessup Conservation Area has a new name. It is now the Lake Jessup Marl Bed Tract. OK.

I was hoping for some fun sparrows or maybe the return of the Vermillion Flycatcher but didn't get any of this species. Did find a lot of Savannah Sparrows all along the lake's edge.



Running along the cattle paths were several calling Eastern Meadowlarks. Always a great sound to have as background ambiance.



There were many shorebirds resting and feeding in the muddy, shallow water just past the pasture grasses.



Also resting by the water was a large group of Caspian Terns and Ring-billed Gulls. First time I have seen the Caspians there.



Started to hear a rumbling off in the distance and then realized it was an air boat approaching on the far side of the slough. I watched as it spun around and then made its way over to where I was. Eventually, it swung around toward the enclosed area where all the birds were trying to get some rest. It then sped straight through this spot which caused all of the resting birds to take flight to avoid this very loud intruder.

Ah, humans...



Eventually, several Forster's Terns rose up and began feeding, using the wind to aid them to hover before diving down for a fish.



This is a really bad exposure but pretty interesting and I didn't notice it until processing the photos. Notice that the bird is in its usual flying position but its head is completely upsidedown!



Best discovery of the day was an American Avocet which was back behind the reeds when I first spotted it and then it flew from that spot and then passed out in front of me out over the lake.



The larger bird was overtaken by one of the many Killdeer patrolling the lakeside before coming to rest in a new feeding spot.



Though it was one of my first discoveries, this Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake resting in the grass near the parking area was a nice surprise.



Beautiful but deadly. The snake did not move as I took photos and was gone by the time I returned to the van.



Can't wait for another trip to this excellent birding area. Sans air boat...

Northern Mockingbird Attacks!

I went over to see the Hooded Mergansers after our weekly banding session and found the small flock being harassed by something much larger. A Red-tailed Hawk.

The hawk was pretty jumpy and as I got closer for a shot it flew up to a nearby tree. You can still see that bright red tail, though.



I was really struck by those leg feathers of this darker-than-usual bird for our area.



I drove around the retention pond to hopefully get a better view but it flew off again. Suddenly, the van came under attack from a more ferocious opponent. A Northern Mockingbird!



I haven't seen a bird attack my car before. It spent a lot of time sitting on the rearview mirror and would then attack the passenger side window. Yes, it was hopping mad!



From time to time it would fly to the back of the van for a shot and then come back to the mirror. Occasionaly it would fly onto the hood and attack the windshield wipers.



Crazy bird. Go pick on that hawk!

Thanks For the Parent's House

Stopped by the parent's house after Thanksgiving for a visit and it turned into a good move. Especially after getting a new bird I have been searching for over the past 2 years.

I was reading the paper early in the morning and noticed just a few Mourning Doves at the feeders. A bit later I had a feeling that I should look toward the feeders again and there was a small tail sticking out from the feeder. Just a House Sparrow but other birds were moving about in the shrubs.

First a Cardinal but then a Titmouse. Then a Palm Warbler. Then something else. A House Finch. This shot is through the back window with a screen but a good document for their house.



Filling the birdbath seems to be paying off.

Next sighting was a Carolina Chickadee. Not common in this area but they are moving their range southward. I got a shot of it out front a bit later.



An easy way to find any present Chickadees is by following the sounds of the Tufted Titmice which were gleaning from the shrubs and holly trees. Then moving on to the feeders.



Best find, though, was a single Pine Siskin hanging out with the Goldfinches that arrived with the feeding flock. No photos but a Life Bird for me. I have been trying to find one for years and there it was in the backyard 100 miles from my house.

Thankful for that, at least.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A blast from the past when I was starting to get into photographing birds. This was using the old 500 mm mirror lens out on Canoe Creek Road.



Turkey tastes gooooood.

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Hooded Mergansers Return

On the way home from banding this Sunday I swung by the old workplace and searched for the Hooded Mergansers that frequent the retention pond next to a parking lot.

Right on time but I only had about 2 seconds to get a shot before the 3 birds dove under water and vanished beneath the parking structure.



Still nice to know that they are back.

Another Blue-winged Teal

Went back to Lake Weldona to try for a better shot of the Blue-winged Teals. Ended up with a couple OK ones.



Love the way the wings reflect green at certain angles.

Tufted Titmouse

One of my favorite sounds during the day is that of the Tufted Titmice swooping in to feed.



Not only do they provide a joyous viewing experience but they often attract other birds that join in on feeding around the oaks.

Always causes me to drop what ever I am doing so I can scope out the backyard.

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!

Blue-winged Teal

Took a swing by a hidden away lake near home and was surprised to find 20 Blue-winged Teal settled on the shore and wading in the swallow waters.



Always a nice addition to the Winter arrivals but I just can't figure out why they would even come up with such a descriptive name!



Just down the edge of the lake was a busy little Pied-billed Grebe searching for tasty morsels.



Need to keep checking this lake as the season moves along.

Hoo, Two.

I have been wondering for a while why Screech Owls look a certain way. Often, I see them with rounded heads and other times they seem to have longer, more pointed "ears".

This was prompted by a close series of shots that I was able to capture over the past week or so. The first was the discovery of an owl during the day in the front yard. You can find those images here.

Then, there was a ruckus out back once night fell. Sounded like a bird chirping but that would be odd. Being night, and all.

I stepped out to explore and figured that the noises were actually Flying Squirrels giving distress calls. Hmmm. As my eyes grew more accustomed to the dark, I could make out a shape perched on one of the feeder poles.

I ran in for the camera, thinking I knew what it was, and rushed back out in time to get one shot of the visitor.



Yes! Another Screech Owl! Possibly the same from the previous post. If so, it had a rounded head.

Researching this difference I find that Screech Owls raise their 'ears' during the day while sitting in trees or bushes. It is thought that this is to help them blend in with their surrounding better. At night they do not need this disguise so they relax those feathers.

Interesting.

And...Relax...

Why, relax? The Winter Birds are gathering. Now I can stop staring over my shoulder when I drive the boys to school. Waiting for that first sighting of new ducks on the lake.

Today, there were 5 Ring-necked Ducks and 3 American Coots on Lake Davis.

This year, the lake levels are back to normal for the first time in quite a while. Hopefully, that will mean more ducks than the past couple years.

Let the flocking begin!

Another Year, Another Say's Sighting

We now have records of the Say's Phoebe for 3 years straight. Technically a Western bird, this individual has been showing up for at least the past 3 years at the same field. Someday I hope to arrive when it is near the road. Every time I get there it is halfway out in the the field on the midway fence.

Always looks like this.



Doesn't help that I always seem to get out there during rainy or excessively overcast days. One day I might show up when it is able to fly more freely. Especially, considering the heavy Kestrel occupation.

So, I headed out toward home by way of Lust Road to see if anything was happening there. Like Ranch Road, many, many Kestrels. I just wish that they were not so skittish. I barely got this shot.



The only bird not paying attention to the Kestrels were the many Loggerhead Shrikes. This shot is actually through the side window in the gloom.



One more bird before the toll road. I found 2 Western Kingbirds up on the wires along Harmon Road. One stayed long enough for a shot.



More Winter birds to arrive. Can't wait!

Hoo Is It?

So, I was just minding my business trying to clean out the closet and got caught up reviewing old photos. Nothing new there but there was a strange series of calls coming from the front of the house. Soon, I could make out Blue Jays making alarm calls. I grabbed the binoculars and rushed outside.

Jays were calling loudly. Gnatcatchers were flying in to add their cries. Cardinals swooped in, chipping wildly. An unidentified warbler hovered on the far side of the bushes. Something had to be in there. I circled around and searched. Eventually I found the subject of their distress.



An Eastern Screech Owl! I have posted shots of them before but those were all at night. They are much harder to find resting during the day. Unless you can get some help from the local birds.



The bush is so tangled with branches that it was very difficult to get any clear shots but I kept trying.



One last shot as my oldest son arrived and I showed him our new guest. The owl is actually looking at him.



The owl stayed in the bush for a couple of hours. I could see its shadowy shape tucked in between the branches from inside the house. By the time I headed out for groceries just before dark I noticed it had left.

Off to find food like me, no doubt.

Tennessee Warbler

I was busy filling the feeders before I woke the boys for school. It was just getting light and I noticed some movement in the Beauty Berry bush out back. The Mockingbirds have been there lately but this seemed smaller.

I ran back in for the camera and got a few not-so-great shots to make an ID when I had time. After looking through them I was still a bit stumped so I emailed some friends and they all came to the same conclusion.

I had a new Yard Bird. A Tennessee Warbler!



It seemed to be picking off bugs from the branches rather than actually feeding on the berries.



One last try before it ducks into the foliage.



Soon after I got those poor shots I noticed several other birds joining the model subject. More Tennessee Warblers. They all flew off together and I did not see anymore afterward. So much for hoping for clearer shots but a nice way to start the day.

Cooper's Hawk Surprise

Yeah, I heard the Blue Jays squawking. I decided they are lately just chasing out another hawk and I rarely see the object of scorn so I sat tight. Then I headed through the kitchen about 15 minutes later.

Since I can see down the hallway that leads out to the backyard on this trip I always glance out to my left and , LO!, a Cooper's Hawk was sitting on the fire bowl! Ran to get the camera and caught the first shot through the screened back window.



I was about to walk outside when it suddenly began flying low over the yard and then settled on the back feeder area.



I bet it was chasing my Carolina Wrens by the way it started at the fire bowl, the Wren's favorite haunt, then kept low to the ground. Doesn't seem it was successful and then got tired of my approach. It then flew in extended circles overhead and finally took off.

Exciting!

Lake Lotus, September 20th, 2009

Common Yellowthroats were majority of the day's birds. We also had our first Black-throated Blue Warbler of the season and other bird.

See the latest Lake Lotus blog to view our latest report.

Getting antsy awaiting peak of migration!

Ferndale Preserve

Had a trip with the Orange Audubon today and we started south of Clermont. That scheduled trip was fairly quite so we added a bit more birding by following Gallus to his usual haunt out at the Ferndale Preserve.

There were mainly Tufted Titmice and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and the occasional flock of Swifts and Swallows but it was also getting late in the day and HOT.

By the time we made it out to an open area a female American Kestrel took wing and circle off into the distance.



It took quite a while to get any more bird sightings. Tapes were used to call up a nice Northern Waterthrush which was joined by a couple of warblers but nothing too exciting.

Out of the blue, an Eastern Kingbird dropped in at the top of a nearby tree.



While the group was trying to make sure there were no other warblers hiding in a tree, I walked around the next tree ahead and noticed a bird flying out to grab insects. Had to be a flycatcher by the way it flew out and returned to the same spot at the top of the tree.

Indeed. But what species?



My first thought was an Acadian Flycatcher. Further study when I got the pictures home was that it wasn't since it wasn't green enough. Which leads us to wonder if it was a Traill's version.



If so, it would most likely be an Alder Flycatcher in our area. That is what I think I am calling this bird after consultations and research.



If anyone feels it is something else, please let me know! Wish it would have come down lower for better photos.

Ferndale should be a fun spot to band in the future, especially after they get new landscape improvements finished which are now just beginning.

Lake Lotus, September 13th, 2009

Thanks a lot storm front! Not.

We had a large storm system that flowed in from the West and continued up the state toward the North. This effectively blocked any new migrants from reaching us by the morning.

That's my story, at least.

We did manage to band a couple new migrants, though. Check out the latest Lake Lotus blog to see our latest report.

Weather should return to a more normal seasonal pattern next week.

Northern Parula

MIgration seems almost in full swing. I can tell because the Northern Parulas are back in the neighborhood.

Though not uncommon in the area, Northern Parula don't usually stop in the yard except for Fall migration and when they return in early Spring when they are extremely vocal.

I almost didn't even notice the pair in the yard until some raptor flew by and the Northern Parulas flew quickly into the Mulberry bush behind me. Later on, they were still feeding in the trees and I noticed them in the Cherry Laurels.



Must be good pickings since all the birds were finding plenty of snacks among the leaves.



Can't wait for the next big wave of migrants!

Ospreys at Merritt Island

Took a drive over to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to try and spot the reported White-rumped Sandpipers hanging out along Bio Lab Road. I found them but they were too far out to get any good shots.

However, there were other birds along the lagoon including Black Terns, many waders, and more peeps. The strong winds seemed to have pushed the warblers inland.

One bird species that seemed quite happy today were the Ospreys. They were streaming by every couple of minutes and every one of them had a meal in their talons. This bird was across the road and getting ready to have lunch.



It was interesting to watch this bird with that fish seemingly barely held onto and very much alive. Every now and then the fish would begin wriggling and the Osprey would have to try and keep its balance while holding on.



At one point an Osprey flew by riding the wind really quickly. I managed to snap a slightly out of focus shot. Though I didn't see it at the time, when I got home to process the photos I noticed that this bird actually had TWO fish. One in each talon!



No other great birds shots today but the gators are always posing somewhere along the canals.



I updated my annual pass so I can't wait to get some more visits in this Fall through Spring.

New Carolina Wren

I started to add this post and was going to reference an earlier post. Turns out I never posted this pic before! So...

There has been a young Carolina Wren hanging out in the yard this year. A very curious little bird who often flies up close to me to see what is going on while I walk through the backyard. I finally had the camera near the front of the house when it visited the sunflower feeder there and it posed sweetly for a couple minutes.



While filling feeders today I heard a bird calling in the Turk's Cap bush. I couldn't peg the call and ran in to grab the tape record to try for an audio sample. By the time I rushed around the side yard the tune had changed to a more familiar Carolina Wren "tea kettle" call.

I soon located the bird as it sang and hopped around.

This evening, as we readied the grill for shishkabob, I noticed the wren investigating one of its favorite spot under the fire pit. I pointed this out to my wife and then was shocked to see a second shape joining the first.

Seems our little guy has brought along a girlfriend!

Nice to see. Goes along great with the big flock of Red-eyed Vireos that visited today.

Lake Lotus, September 6th, 2009

Some day I will get around to actual birding outside of my banding days. However, for now, can you smell the arrival of Fall? I can.

One of the main reasons is revealed in the latest Lake Lotus blog entry. Stop by here to see some new migrants and new flora shots.

Birds are on the increase across Central Florida. Gotta catch as many as possible!

Lake Lotus, August 30th

A little less sweat, a few more birds, and other interesting finds.

We caught two new migrants and found a new partner in fighting Air Potatoes. For the full scoop, head here.

The tropical storms can keep sweeping North as far as I am concerned. Last year we were flooded by Fay at this time.

Lake Lotus, August 23rd

One hour during Saturday afternoon, the radar and weather sites were threatening our next day out. By the evening things changed to a clearing sky. This proved true and the day was still hot but not too bad this week.

Many birds were seen flying due south but there was not a lot of low level activity. We still caught a new migrant and saw many interesting things. For various fauna pics, head here.

Birds on the rise. Can't wait for September.

Lake Lotus, August 16th

Week 2. Hot, hot, hot.

Dripping with sweat, we caught another new migrant and caught another unexpected bird. Check it out here and if you live farther north, be thankful of cooler climes. For now.

Lake Lotus, August 9th

A new banding season has begun!

Read all about the first day back after clearing invasive plants here and see what new migrant species we banded made the entire hot day worth it.

Great Black-backed Gull

We had a day to play.

The goal was a trip to the beach and Jetty Park, just a hop-skip south of the shuttle launch pads, was chosen to get the kids out into the outdoors. Heat be damned.

As we hauled the beach gear down to the beach early in the morning, I noticed a very large gull down by the waves. Camera always in tow, I excused myself to make sure I could record what ever it was before 'trying' to relax for the rest of the day.

Happily, it turned out to be the suspected species it was. A juvenile Great Black-backed Gull!



Other birds made appearances throughout the morning but this bird made the day a total joy. Spending time with the family was good too!

Gorgeous bird.

Young Grackle

Spent a short time at the parents over on the west coast of Florida. I tried to get a few shots of different birds but all I was able to find of interest was this young Common Grackle following its parents around the yard.



Better than nuthin'...