St. Pete CBC, 2009

Another year, another good count. Cold front was moving through and had not cleared out as we began but we started calling for owls at 5 AM. Our only owl was a Great-horned that flew into a treetop in the near dark which we all viewed before it took off.

No Screech Owls today. 2nd year we have been skunked on this species.

We headed to the point of Veteran's Memorial Park at dawn as the tide was set to be -1 and we hoped for some shorebirds along the meager beach front. We found a large group of Willets near the picnic area right away.



The loudest noise permeating the air was that of hundreds of Laughing Gulls loafing and feeding on the open sand and mud.



Also hanging out in the gloom was a single Semi-palmated Sandpiper.



That bird was foraging near the lone Little Blue Heron in the area.



Flocks of Forster's Terns, Double-crested Cormorants, and White Ibis added to the filled skies as the clouds continued to blanket the views.



There began to be some breaks in the cloud banks as we added Dunlin, Oystercatchers, Red Knots, and others to our species list. It reminded me of Indiana Jones witnessing the Sun pointing to the tombs.



We then headed off to Joe's Creek to see what we could stir up. Invasives have clogged up some of the better open areas. Specifically Brazilian Pepper. We found no Swamp Sparrows though they were here in past years. We did manage to scare up a Sora and watched as Rosette Spoonbills and Wood Storks soared overhead.



Blue-grey Gnatcatchers were ever-present all day but hard to photograph.



We missed finding any Goldfinches this year but we did have some nice things pop up like Eastern Towhee and Carolina Chickadee. I was almost caught off-guard when a few Pine Warblers dropped in just in front of me.



Checking the canals, we got a few more species but not as many as in previous years. Cooper's Hawks, Mallard, our single Black-crowned Night Heron hiding in the far branches and a near skeleton of what we determined to be that of an otter. At least we had a Black and White Warbler show up just in time!



We made a fast run over to 66th street to look for Least Bitterns but were unsuccessful. Here, the rest of the team scans for the Bitterns.



A quick lunch break allowed me to scan some of the other local ponds but there was nothing of note. We had Blue-winged Teal, Coots, Moorhens and a few turtles finally getting a chance to bask in the emerging sunlight.



We headed back to Veteran's Park after Dave and Jim scored an American Bittern near a local strip mall and I searched for the Yellow-crowned Night Heron that has been in the area for years. It was not to be found today but there were other things to photograph. Where the Night Heron should have been there were only scores of Fiddler Crabs leading me to believe that the bird hasn't been here for a while.



Nearby, Palm Warblers erupted from the grasses and lit in the oaks. Most were Western Palm Warblers.



A bright glint of yellow caught my eye and revealed a pair of Eastern, also known as Yellow, Palm Warblers.



We continued to tick more species as we moved along, 91 in total for the day, but my interest was captured by the Spotted Sandpiper we first discovered early in the day. As the light broke through I was able to finally get some good shots of this bird which was not too concerned of my presence.



It only regarded me with apprehension a few times as I scrambled down the rocks to get a better view but would then figure I was no threat and begin foraging again.



Every now and again it would grab a small meal hiding in the sand and enjoy a quick snack to eat.



Besides having a Sora almost jump into me, this was some of my favorite moments of the day. Being close to a lovely bird and enjoying the fresh new cold front moving through.



Awaiting the totals for the day but this was the best set of numbers I have had in this spot over the years. Can't wait until next year!

Cedar Waxwings Calling

Had to work out back for a while today and while there I was surprised to have a very loud chorus of Cedar Waxwings just over the fence.

First of the season.

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!