Green-winged Teal in the Shade

My ride home has become so predictable that even when it is getting dark I still wiggle my way through the neighborhoods to check for anything special on any of the lakes and retention ponds. This evening I did find a good one but it was pretty deep in the shade. A female Green-winged Teal.



Still waiting for a male to show up. This shot shows a little flash of green which gives the species its name.



On to the next pond!

A Couple of Birds Near Work

Just a couple of fun shots taken on the way home. First up, a White Ibis in breeding colors balances on the rail over the creek as the Sun begins to set.



The Sandhill Crane family wanders by in search of an end of day snack or two. There were actually 3 birds (one I think is the colt from last year) but this composition pleased me the best.



Time for some sleep before the Orlando Wetlands Festival in the morning. I will post a link to my other blog after that event as the whole banding station does that event.

American Kestrel

Getting shots of American Kestrels is a real challenge for me. They always fly away when ever I get a bit close. Even when they are way up on a telephone pole. I was checking the trees for others birds when this Kestrel flew in in front of the van.



The bird didn't hang around long so I was happy to get at least an ID shots before I headed home.

2013 Sparrow Drive, Pt. 2

Time for the second and final sparrow drive of the Winter out at Weekiwachee Preserve. This is the second location out at the old limestone quarry. The day was beautiful and there were increasing winds all morning, as usual.



There was a great turn out with over 50 volunteers including almost every registered bird bander in the state. The nets were set and the volunteers headed out for the first run of the day.



First bird of the morning was a LeConte's Sparrow.



The volunteers worked hard but the sparrows were not around in large numbers this year. Probably partially due to the lower rainfall this season.



I was really proud to see my son participating throughout the morning.



Oddly, we captured several sparrows just while checking the nets in between runs. As I headed to the far end of the net array, I managed to flush a Grasshopper Sparrow and was able to out-flank it into the net.



A view from above shows off their lovely patterns on the back.



Not the Florida sub-species but we did get some recaptures which is good data.



Back at the car, Marianne bands the Grasshopper Sparrow.



The crowd gathers around for photos. Most volunteers come out to see different species of birds they have never seen before.



Marianne holds up a sparrow for the volunteers to get photos.



LeConte's Sparrow and Grasshopper Sparrow are held side by side for comparison. A nice view to end the morning.



Another great day out in the field. Literally. Can't wait until next year's attempt.

A Stirring

I settled into work and enjoyed the sunrise when, suddenly, a stranger appeared. Could be the same bird I got photos of last year. I tried to sneak out the first time but it flew off. On the second approach it let me get close in some better light.



I took this new visit from the Shrike as a sign. For my lunch break, I headed back near the lasting wooded area and had a look around. A small puddle was being used by a Catbird and few warblers as a bath but they took off before shots were fired. I did get one of the Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warblers after it retreated to a nearby tree, though.



Today, the warblers and local birds outnumbered the migrating Robins. I was able to get a shot of this pretty bird before I moved on. Again, I love those scales.



A lazy shadow glides across the edge of the woods and every creature looks up to confirm it is a Turkey Vulture and not some raptor.



Then I noticed streaks in the sky. Tree Swallows are flocking to the Tangelo Park edge in large numbers. Having a zoom lens does nothing to capture the spectacle. All I can manage is a few birds in view at once. They were, however, all over the place.



I tried to get some bigger numbers in my frame as they bolted over the woods and then back again.



I even got a shot from directly overhead at one point. Good enough with a sense of scale as this bird glided over the power lines.



I had a bunch of shots from over the next 30 minutes. I was fond of getting the green-ish tints on some of our Winter birds.



No extra Waxwings yet, but I will be looking for them...

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
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Tree Swallow Bursts

I was just minding my business. Or rather, the company business. Suddenly, I get a flash out of the corner of my eye an see some erratic flights of Tree Swallows heading my way. I reached into the camera bag (always unlatched, just in case) and dive out the back door in hopes of getting some shots. Swallows are a tad difficult to get in focus but I set on a point and hoped.



There were only a small number of these tiny missiles but they did stay in the parking area for the most part. I ended up just focusing on a spot above a tree and clicked away. Glad to catch a bit of green.



I do like those streamlined shots but I also prefer to get some better body shots.



Long, trailing wings and a short tail are nice ID marks for Tree Swallows. They didn't stay too long.



Back to work.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
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Osprey vs. Bald Eagle

I thought I would share an interesting episode that happened at the banding area last Sunday. I was in between net runs and stepped out to see if anything was out on the lake. There was an Osprey circling and trying to land on a tree top but kept choosing a branch that was too small. I kept scanning the lake an could see the bird diving out of the corner of my eye. I got an unfocused shot of the splash as it hit the water.



Moments later, it emerged with a good-sized fish that you can just make out if you look close enough.



I tracked the bird as it headed out over the center of the lake and hoped it would head in my direction for a close shot. It did turn and I started preparing for the shot. I snapped and...



...it dropped the dang fish as I was focusing! I could see the fish hit the water and then the Osprey made a fast close pass in front of me. So close I couldn't get that other wing in the frame. Why dump your breakfast?



Just as the Osprey veered past me I could see another shape moving in from the right. A Bald Eagle was zooming in from a perch across the lake and he paused to stare down at the rippling water where the fish escaped becoming a meal. Eagles often lay in wait to rush out and let Osprey's do the hard work and then steal the prey in mid-air.



The Osprey must have seen it first and decided to give up the food rather than engage in a fight. He can grab a fish just about any old time. The eagle headed to another perch to await the next offering.



Always something interesting out at Lake Lotus. If you have never visited my bird banding blog, head on over and see weekly updates on all the birds and things in Nature we discover.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
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Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork

I took the long way around out of work to see if the juvenile Roseate Spoonbill was still hanging around. It was. Even better, an adult has joined the younger bird and I could barely get a shot from the road.



A little better angle but I was in a traffic area and could not park and get out. I had a few seconds to get some shots before I had to get back in my lane.



Might as well try a shot of the Wood Stork next to the Spoonbill, right?



Truck dodged and on my way. A nice find to end the day.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
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Rufus Hummingbird Remains at Mead

I have been returning to Mead Garden after my Sunday bird banding session for several weeks in hopes of relocating the Rufus Hummingbird. I have missed it for the past month! I met up with Marcus and we sat in wait. I had to head out sooner than usual so I was about to take off. At least I could try for a shot of the adult Red-shouldered Hawk quickly circling past us.



I stood to leave and suddenly Marcus shouted, "There she is!". She was only at the feeder for a couple seconds but I caught a glimpse of here behind the low flowers. Can you spot her?



She slowly made her way around to our side but was in deep shade. I could not get any really good shots and I had to process these pretty hard to get any image at all. However, you can see more of the rufus coloring down the side of the bird.



One shot shows the gorget just before she took off. She landed in a tree and the sunlight really brought that patch to light. The wind was really picking up so all we could do was look through our binoculars and couldn't get a clear shot.



Whew. Finally got my sighting for the new year. Who knows how long she will stick around. It has been since October so far.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
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Lesser Scaup

Swinging by one of my lake spots as the day comes to an end. There are still a few Lesser Scaup scooting around the shoreline.



They often hang in the flocks of Ring-necked Ducks so it nice to have them in a separate section today for so more detailed shots. Easy to find them when the females provide that white patch that stands out so brightly against the brown feathers.



Still waiting for any male Green-winged Teal but I think it is still too early.

The Great Backyard Bird Count for 2013 is February 15-18th.
Click the icon to learn more!