Birding While Waiting For Music

My son and a few other band members were selected for State Solo and Ensemble being help up in Sanford and I had to take him and hang out before they performed.



It was a nice day but I wasn't hearing much bird activity. In fact, the only thing that caught my attention for the first 30 minutes was a cloud with a pileus-type skirt.



A small flock of Cedar Waxwings flew by at one point but I couldn't get a bird photo until I circled around the back of the school and found some Yellow-rumped Warblers on the edge of the woods.



I made my way to the opposite side of campus and was hoping to get some views out on the lake. However, the vegetation was too thick. Then I spotted a flock of White Ibis feeding in a retention pond. Many of them were males in full breeding colors.



On the other end of the pond was a younger male and a juvenile White Ibis feeding by themselves.



Back near the lake, a male Boat-tailed Grackle called and played with twigs.



The school is in the flight path of a major airport not far away and large planes would head in for a landing every few minutes.



A female Boat-tailed Grackle flew into the retention pond to try its luck for a meal.



Then, several of the male White Ibis began bathing in the shallow water.



Splish, splash!



Soon, it was time to go in for the performance. The kids did great on some intricate pieces. The Quintet earned scores of 'Excellent' and I coaxed them into letting me get a group shot. Great job, gang!



There are a lot of very talented kids in the band, as always. My son is in his senior year and still has a Wind Ensemble competition and a Jazz concert to come before the end of the year. Then off to college. My, how time flies...

Preening Bald Eagle

I drove through Greenwood Cemetery hoping against hope that there might be a baby Bald Eagle sighting. I thought it was good that one of the adults was preening above the nest today. I haven't seen them regularly in quite awhile although I did hear one calling as it flew past the house the other day.



I scanned the rest of the area but I did not see any sign of other birds.



I think I can conclude that this pair was unsuccessful for the first time in many, many years. Maybe they will have better luck next year.

Barber Park While Waiting

Our oldest had a practice session near Barber Park and instead of driving back and forth too much I decided to search any close water ways. However, there is not much in the way of lakes to cruise in this area. I did spot some Shrikes up along the road so I tried to get some shots there but they flew off before I could get in position. I had to settle for a Western Palm Warbler in bad light.



I circled the small pond in the park looking for birds. A Gray Squirrel was playing hide and seek. I won.



In the pond, a Slider kept a careful lookout for trouble.



The only birds besides the resident Mallards was a flock of Ring-billed Gulls.



I searched the entire group hoping there might be a different gull in there. Nope. All Ring-bills.



Time to go. Better than nothing, I guess.

Lake Davis, Because I Can

It looked like a beautiful morning so I did my morning lake checks and decided to stop by Lake Davis for a stroll. Wasn't so nice once I stepped down by the water as the winds picked up and sent a chill through my shirt. At least I had some Yellow-rumped Warblers to keep me warmed a bit.



I initially decided to stop because I could see a flock of Tree Swallows cruising the water and hoped to get a shot of some. Soon, I discovered they were flying in such erratic arcs and into the shadows that any chance of that was low. As I moved to sit on the culvert to get in position, a White Ibis eyed me nervously but never strayed more than a few feet from me.



Some residents feed the birds every morning so when I sat down other birds moved closer to see if I was offering a meal. The closest birds were the pair of Mute Swans. No sign of their baby. I think he was moved along since he was almost old enough to leave home.



The best shot I could get of a Tree Swallow. I quickly figured taking too many more shots would yield anything better. I didn't mind since I got great shots last year and probably couldn't best them today.



Doesn't matter when I can walk right up to Yellow-rumped Warblers, anyway.



Along the lakeside I noticed a yellow flower standing out from all the brown and greens. I first found one of these years ago and can't recall if I ever ID'd it then. Time for research.



Back near the van, a small flock of Ring-billed Gull loafed just in water. They will head back to the coast once Spring arrives.



Nothing else grabbed my attention on the other lakes so I headed home by way of the usual Greenwood Cemetery route. The Bald Eagle nest is still quiet. I fear there will be no new hatchlings this year. The first time in a decade. Shame.



Still waiting for a chance to find some Cedar Waxwings before they leave next month. I hear them circling and it shouldn't be too long before they swoop down to feast while bulking up for migration.

The Latest Lake Lotus Stroll

Another week returning gear to the banding site. Yesterday we had a roller coaster day out at the 2nd Annual Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza with early and late rounds of birds and sharing information to the visiting public. The full post of our banding day is posted at my other blog that you can read here. Those days are long and we usually take our usual banding days off to regroup and to get things back in place for the next weekend at 'home'.

As I walked the poles back into our banding area I quickly noticed a calling card along the path just inside the gate. Seems the bears have been wandering around. Not too long ago, either. At least they left the stuff at the table alone this week.



Next, I spotted something a bit sweeter. Stands of Lobelia were blooming along the net lanes in growing force.



I got the poles reset and decided to check the rest of the lanes to make sure things were in order. Northern Parulas were feeding in the treetops and singing like mad around the riverside. The hard part is seeing them in the foliage and getting a shot of them but their calls are easy to recognize as they trill overhead. One of the first returning migrants in the year, Northern Parulas nest and breed here and throughout the state. A definite sign that Spring is right around the corner.



I made my way to the end of the net lanes to find a lurking Gray Catbird watching me as I replaced net markers. A few other species flitted through the willows but nothing in great numbers.



Once I had things back in place I contemplated where I could possibly put a new net in the future by measuring out space nearby. Still don't think I have room to put another one out there. I double-checked by measuring the existing net setup and decided it definitely was not possible. Yet.

Just as I finished my final measurements, I looked up. There, just across the river, was an American Alligator soaking in the morning sunlight.



I have flushed her over the past few weeks as we checked nets and we even had some nice shots of babies born last year in the same spot. Never saw her up in the open before, though. The bull gators stay out in the center of the lake but we will definitely have to watch our step as the season wears on.

I talked to her a bit (who else was out there?) and she stayed put and only briefly wagged her tail very slightly. We parted ways and I returned home. Still want to get a net out there in a new spot to catch more birds where they roam. Thinking, thinking...

Lake Lotus Stroll

We decided not to do our usual Sunday banding stint since we were at the Orlando Wetlands Festival all day yesterday but I still had to haul all the gear back and get set for next week. Once I got everything back in place I decided to take a stroll down the net lanes and see if we were missing anything. It was actually pretty quiet so I didn't feel guilty about sleeping in for once.

I actually didn't even hear much bird activity until I reached the the end of the lanes. I spotted a pretty male Yellow-rumped Warbler on the opposite side of the river and tried to get a shot. Before I could get him to turn around, a female flew directly in my direction to capture a bug and landed not far from me. I'll take that one, instead!



The Wild Radish plants have really come in strong this year. When we first ID'd this plant a couple of years ago there were a couple blooming radish. Now, they are spreading all over along the river.



The only spot that did have a lot of activity was around Net 21, our final net on the property. Dozens of Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding among the willows.



Closer to the water, a Swamp Sparrow scurried about in the grasses but never would come out into the open fully. I could hear several more calling on the marshes.



One more Yellow-rumped Warbler for the day. Seems like they are beginning to fuel up for their long trip North soon.



I was hoping to get a shot of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet but it stayed deep in the shadows. Above the Kinglet, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher appeared and fed right in front of me. Pretty easy pickin's for it and for photos



It was a nice relaxing walk after my morning labors. Now I had to head back home for more chores.

2014 Orlando Wetlands Festival

Where the last few weeks go? Past me too quickly, that's where. Finally, our first off-site banding for the year out at the Orlando Wetlands Festival. I have a whole other post over at the banding blog that focuses more on the visitor interaction if you are interested and you can see that by clicking here.

I also wanted to show some shots that were not on that post by adding them to my regular birding blog. I didn't take many shots as I was busy banding birds and giving info to the visiting public and thought I would share here. So...

For many years, we have been doing banding demonstrations at the Orlando Wetlands for their festival. The wetlands are a pretty amazing spot between Orlando and Titusville and is primarily used to treat waste water as it leaves residential homes around the area and is cleaned up before it reaches the St. John's River. It is a wide expansion of land and marsh and draws many bird species throughout the year. This year, they are modifying some of the ponds and a large amount of new birds are feeding throughout the property.



The forecast was for ZERO rain for the day but wind. By mid-morning a ranger reported a storm coming in. Great. We had to close the nets for a while and I took the opportunity to do a little walking about for bird watching. I was very happy to see large numbers of Blue and Green-winged Teal near the shoreline. I have a bad track record of getting good shots of these birds as it always seems that when I see them it is when there is poor lighting. I tried anyway.



Even worse, when I got back to look at the photos I realized that I had neglected to reset my camera from when I was taking indoor shots of my oldest during a concert. Tons of noise. Blech.



The storm began to clear and the winds picked up in earnest and led to Black Vultures taking wing in the gloom.



Black Skimmers rested along a bank out in the pond. They are not often seen this far inland.



Just to their right were some terns. Royal and Forster's loafed along the other birds.



Just in front of the Terns and Skimmers were several Dowitchers, Long-billed, I think.



As I was watching the ducks and other species American Coots began to go crazy and call out in alarm and spooked most other lake birds. What? A shadow drifted overhead and I was greeted with the sight of a Bald Eagle on the hunt.



While the ducks and Coots headed for cover the other species didn't take much notice. The Sandhill Cranes continued to forage out in the marsh.



White Pelicans were seen way out in the waters beyond the Cranes and ducks.



With the water levels down, up to 200 Roseate Spoonbills have been seen in the area. I only found a few and got only one shot on my trek.



Hunkering down in the growing wind, a Snowy Egret



Nearby, a Great Egret hopes for the increasing crowds to move along.



I noticed a different kind of Ibis out in the distance. A White-faced Ibis was sitting calmly out on the flats. A rare bird from year to year.



The sunshine began to work its way in and I tried for some more shots of the Green-winged Teals.



If only I had the setting correctly set. I love to see Green-winged Teals, especially so close by.



I did a bit more searching and found some Gadwall and even a Northern Shoveler trying to stay hidden from prying eyes.



Later in the morning, a huge flock of White Pelicans soared overhead.



Finally, an American Robin stopped by the banding table for a quick view before we had to leave for the day.



The festival is always an interesting day but I hope that next year we have less wind and more captures during our stay. Time to get all the poles back for the next banding day next Sunday.