Lake Lotus Science Incubator Dedication

Seminole County has been running a new thing called the Altamonte Springs Science Incubator since last Fall. Part of that involves taking county school kids on field trips to the water treatment plant and to Lake Lotus and engaging them in scientific experiments in hopes of getting kids to take up science or related avocations as a profession. The park rangers developed teaching modules and the program has been well received and on May 10th they finally had the official dedication which featured local leaders and partners.

I arrived well before the crowds and decided to do a little birding before the speeches began. The newest thing you cannot ignore is the new sign at the parking lot. They threw this thing up in a couple days not long ago.



I headed out to the pier but did not find many birds but I was glad I spotted a Green Heron hunting just before the boardwalks heads back into the trees.



It was fun to watch it stalk and it eventually moved to another spot in front of me for another nice pose.



Under the shade of the cypress and oaks, a Golden-silk Spider sits in wait. Not the best shot of this species I have but it does show off the 'golden' webbing that provides the name.



At the end of the boardwalk I almost stepped on this Eastern Click Beetle.



Back at the sign, the rangers posed with the school kids that arrived to help out later in the morning.



Since the kids were going to be shown what they would be helping with I headed back toward the pier to get in position for some photos. On the way out I found a Southeastern Five-lined Skink. A beautiful little rainbow.



I was hearing a lot of American Redstarts this morning but they were usually high up. I focused on one of the males and, thankfully, he popped out into view for about 4 seconds before disappearing again.



Suddenly, a Tufted Titmouse family flew in. The adults were being harassed by all the kids in tow. One of the adults paused briefly across the river and I got a shot. If you look closely, really closely, you can just make out that this is one of the birds I have banded. Another of our locals with a successful brood is great news.



Out at the lake, Frank showed one set of students what they would be doing when they had to show the guests one of the elements of the Incubator modules.



The middle of the pier had a larger setup where Steve instructed another set of students.



Out of nowhere, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks flew by and then off into the maple trees along the lake.



I won't show all the different speakers for the event. You wouldn't know any of them anyway. After they spoke, I grabbed my parting gift (a little flip-cube with the partner names on it) and headed toward the parking lot. I was actually pretty surprised to hear Cedar Waxwings still calling from the area of the Cherry Tree over on our banding side. It took me a few minutes but I could finally make a few of them out hiding in the leaves.



Thanks to the rangers for thinking of me and inviting me to this dedication. Glad to be part of the family for the past 5 years and this new funding will offer students a great opportunity. If we can ever swing it, we hope to get a weekday or two to be out at the banding site so they can get that experience, too.

Wasting Time at Mead Gaden

That tile is pretty much true. I had a dedication ceremony to get to at Lake Lotus but it did not start until 11 AM. I drop the oldest off at 7-ish so that leaves me some time to 'waste'. I had never parked on the far side of Mead before so I wondered if the back gate stayed open. The front gate doesn't open until later in the day. The gate was open and I got to spend an hour or so walking virtually alone to find some birds.

It actually was pretty quiet but I heard some American Redstarts down towards the amphitheater and headed that way. Redstarts were there. So was a larger bird at the back of the trees. A Yellow-billed Cuckoo!



I stayed in place and hoped that the bird would come out in the open a bit more. It finally moved a bit down the river but still wasn't as close as I would have liked. I was busy grabbing bugs so I don't blame it.



Then I noticed a second shape below the first bird. It was a second Cuckoo.



It, too, was having a successful catch rate.



They never did come into view any better but it is great to see this elusive species. Especially a pair. I would see another Cuckoo out behind the butterfly garden but it could have been one of these birds.



Another bird caught my attention after the Cuckoos. A single male Blackpoll Warbler was speeding its way from branch to branch in the shade.



Down in the creek, a Wood Duck hen and her ducklings snapped up insects from the water's edge.



Walking through the Cypress stand a bit farther down I spotted a couple of American Redstarts that I thought I might be able to get a shot of. However, I was quickly distracted by something even smaller backlit in the shade. A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was grabbing tiny bugs and things before settling down on a branch.



I really wanted it to go into the light more but I had to be happy with a tiny bird scratching away.



One more shot before heading to the boardwalk.



Just before reaching the butterfly garden, Northern Mockingbirds appeared and were inspecting the Elderberries for the best fruit.



These birds love the black berries this time of year and the whole family chases one another from plant to plant, vying for the best spot to eat.



Only got shots of the adults today but the juveniles are around, too. That one looks very, very tasty...



I knew I wouldn't get a great shot of the Carolina Wren singing deep in the shaded azaleas but it is hard to resist a try.



Time to head out and get to the dedication ceremony. I was pleasantly surprised to find one of the adult Barred Owls at eye-level preening over the creek.



I snapped a few shots and then began hearing the juveniles calling nearby. One had to be very close. In fact, I nearly walked into it as it hid in the leaves which made it fly to another tree. On the ground, though, was the other young bird watching a pair of Northern Cardinals flying back in forth. These birds are so used to people walking around that it takes a a lot to get them interested in anything other than their task and just to have one turn to look at you is nice.



Not a bad little jaunt. Of to Lake Lotus where I hope to get a little more birding in before the speeches begin.

Another Cardinal Nest

Such a nice day outside I just had to take a walk. Still a lot of wind and not very birdy but I suddenly heard a chipping Northern Cardinal. Since my Cardinal experience the other day I knew this must mean that there was a nest somewhere nearby. Momma was bobbing in and out of the branches so it was hard to get a shot.



I didn't approach any closer but I scanned the branches and, sure enough, I spotted a nest. It was kind of sideways and there were a couple of eggs inside. I hope they are not being abandoned. I will check bak in a few days.



A Red-shouldered Hawk was calling from time to time and as I walked through my trail I saw a shadow sail into the trees and land. I made my way into the open and spotted the hawk searching for a meal.



I couldn't find any other birds besides the Hawk and Cardinals until I was about to leave the woods. Suddenly, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher flew down and landed a mere 3 feet in front of me at eye-level. My zoom can only focus at 5 feet and beyond. I hate when that happens. I had to wait for the bird to get farther away before I could attempt a shot.



Have all the migrants gone? Didn't see any today. I will have Friday to look around some but the season is about at an end. it seems.

New Life

Once I found all those warblers Saturday I reeeeeeally wanted to band Sunday. I left the house at 4:45 Am and within 2 blocks of the house the rain began to fall. The online radars showed no rain anywhere near us. Yet it rained and rained. I called off the troops and went back to bed. By 8 AM it was a beautiful blue but very windy.
Oh, well.

I eventually decided I still needed a Nature fix so I headed over to Mead Garden to see if there was any bird action there. Not much but there was a sudden appearance of a large family of Wood Ducks that caught the rapids in the creek. They were moving so fast that I couldn't get them all in frame before they were gone. There were at least 10 ducklings with Mom.



Up near the pond, the male whistled to stay in contact before joining them.



Out on the opposite side of the pond a Great Egret fished along the swollen creek. Note the light that is on the property across from Mead. That used to be all dry land.



I soon met up with fellow birder, Marcus, and we headed around Mead looking to migrants. As we got to 'warbler corner' I wondered if I was seeing young or adult Northern Cardinals darting into the branches. Marcus just said offhandedly that a nest was in the tree. This was no Cardinal nest I had ever seen. It was made mostly of Spanish Moss and was shaped like a circle. Interesting.



The Cardinals were chipping away but flying from trees to tree, seeming to be feeding. I almost wandered off when I spotted something just above me. A fledgling!



Mom was now hopping on the ground in front of me searching for food and then would eventually fly up to the young bird to feed it.



I could hear another young bird in the trees across from the nest but could not see it. I looked back at the nest because I had earlier noticed that some of its construction included plastic wrapping. I wanted a closer look and spotted something that was not visible just a couple minutes earlier. Another fledgling!!



Soon, Dad flew in with a bill full of mushed up bugs.



Junior asked...



...and received.



Once Dad flew off, Junior took a big stretch before settling in again.



Moments later, Mom flew in and delivered another snack. Three different babies had the parents very busy.



Circling around the pond we found a couple turtles drying on a log.



Above, the first warbler heard today was busy singing and feeding. This beautiful male Northern Parula was riding the limbs as the winds gusted over and over.



We found several Gray Catbirds, American Redstarts, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Black-and-White Warblers, and finally a few Black-throated Blue Warblers



So, I didn't get to band but I got some excellent Cardinal photos and some relaxed time with a friend. Not going to complain. Just better not rain next Sunday!

Orlando Warblers

What better way to end a full week of rain by having to head to work on a Saturday. Yay. Clouds were still low and misting but I decided to drive around Lake Lancaster just because. As I slowed to a stop half way around I noticed a bird flying in from across the lake which then landed behind the retaining wall. I stepped out to confirm what I thought it was and was able to spy and juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron that also spied me and took off before I could even think about going back for the camera. It flew off to the far side of the lake.

I walked along the shore for a bit and found myself suddenly surrounded by warblers. Lots of warblers. I ID'd several species before a male Cape May made me curse myself for not having my camera every second. I scurried back and started the walk again. Most of the birds were Blackpoll Warblers.



Dozens of Blackpolls flitted through the branches but, man, how difficult it is to take photos of hungry warblers in tight quarters.



Most of the Blackpolls were male but there were a few females in the mix.



I was able to relocate the Cay May Warbler but it stayed in the shadows. You can still make out that beautiful color, though.



A few Black-throated Warblers, Magnolia Warbler, and American Redstarts were coming into view as the birds covered several trees just above the lake.



Northern Parulas are easy to find once they return here in March but they are still fun to watch and listen to.



A few Common Yellowthroats chased one another through the Cypress trees and rounded out the species count.



Oh, yeah. I have to go to work. Though I could stand here all day.