Cruising the Viera Wetlands, Part 4

To wrap up the Viera trip I will include a few extra shots of birds and last minute snaps.

There was another Moorhen family hanging to the edges of the cells with even younger chicks in tow.



The Boat-tailed Grackles were browsing the edges of almost every cell but they really seemed to like the lily pads.



However, they also hung out in the reeds.



We were wrapping up our tour of the wetlands so I decided to make the most of my IS lens test and jumped out of the car to get some test shots of other things besides birds. Since I was close to the Grackles and lilies, why not?



I didn't even notice until I got home and looked at the shots that this excellent metallic green bee was in one shot. By the way, if you drag these images to your desktop you will be able to view the images at twice the size seen here.



I was really impressed with the result from the IS with this Duck Potato flower.



Finally, time to chase dragonflies! There were skittish versions in blue...



...and red!



Despite the copious swarms of bugs, we had a great time and came home with a bunch of great photos. Next trip will be in the Winter when the mosquitoes are few and the ducks are plentiful.

Cruising the Viera Wetlands, Part 3

During my early visits to Viera Wetlands I found a lot of birds in the Winter but I don't recall ever seeing any Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. The past couple of years, though, they have been all over the place!

I love these little ducks and we were lucky enough see them up close as they waded and flew over head. In fact, they were flying across the sky as soon as we drove into the entry of the wetlands.

Over in the bird gathering we discovered earlier there were several ducks keeping to themselves or flying from spot to spot.



You would think these guys could get along as they are of the same stripe but sometimes squabbles would erupt!



Time for a test of the IS lens with flight shots. The ducks would circle several times before coming to rest and often flew right over my head.



Even at a distance, those white wing feathers really pop out.



I had a great time hanging with the Black-bellies and could have burned through tons of shots.



However, we had more water to explore. It seems that this species will be here for some time to come. So I will end Part 3 here and finish up the tour with a few more birds and other nature next.

Cruising the Viera Wetlands, Part 2

Part 2 of this Viera Wetlands trip will focus on herons and the like as there were plenty around.

First up was a nice close view of a Great-blue Heron watching closely for its next meal.



Around the bend we found a great concentration of birds in one spot. Many herons, woodpeckers, and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (which will get their own entry in Part 3) but I loved this view of a Great Egret in the trees high above the rest of the group.



The reduced size for the blog doesn't do it justice but there was another along the way that allowed a much closer opportunity.



Beneath the first Great Egret I heard a familiar sound. A Red-bellied Woodpecker was moving up and down the palm trunk.



Ugly to some, beautiful to me. Wood Storks always grab my attention where ever I find them.



Often overlooked, the Tri-colored Herons were abundant in several areas of the wetlands.



Just when I thought we would strike out on the resident Limpkins we found one quietly moving through the reeds.



End Part 2. Next up, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks!

Cruising the Viera Wetlands, Part 1

For the first time in a long time I headed out for an actual birding day. We had hoped to view the shuttle launch before dawn but it was scrubbed for a second time due to a hydrogen leak.

Oh, well. Off to find some birds at Viera Wetlands. There are a lot of photos to share so I think I will split this up into several installments.

Met up with a long-time friend, Cindy Nowlin, who was kind enough to let me borrow her IS lens for a couple of spins around the cells. Maybe it was more of a sales pitch because after using it compared to my normal lens (which I bought from her years ago), man...

Mosquitoes were fierce today, but not far into the drive there was a great chance to view the first Least Bittern of the morning.



Nearby, a White Ibis in full breeding colors kept a close watch on our cars cruising by.



Some bird chicks were still in evidence and were well represented by Common Moorhens pecking at the vegetation as they headed toward their parents.



Perhaps to stay far enough away from the jaws of predators like this alligator.



Thus ends Part 1. Tomorrow, I will show off the herons.

Quoth the Raven...

O.K. Not really a Raven since we don't get those, but there was a seldom seen lurker in the backyard today.

Out there in the gloom was a pair of Fish Crows sampling the stale crackers I threw out and one was gently dipping a piece into the blue bird bath.



Fish Crows are often heard around the neighborhood but they rarely drop to the ground to feed. At least when I have been around. Who knows, they could be out there having a party every time I turn my back!

Carolina Wrens and Fungus Invasion

There was an unusual Carolina Wren event during our banding day along with many varieties of fungus showing up as processed some birds.

Head to the Wekiva blog here to see if you can help ID some fungus.

Lake Lotus Banding, June 7th

We headed into the dark and noticed the landmarks that usually guide us were...gone. However, this turned out to be a good thing in the big picture.

Head to the Wekiva blog here to see the whole report.

Lake Lotus Banding, May 31st, 2009

A new volunteer joined us as we were chock full of Carolina Wren chicks and a skeletal find peaks our interest.

Head to the Wekiva blog here to see the whole report.

Lake Lotus Banding, May 24th

We took a week off while the family camped with a Cub Scout crew but returned for more as soon as possible.

Heavy rains have fallen across the area for a while, erasing our drought, and it has brought the waters up. Way up! The Little Wekiva River overflowed its banks near the lake and prevented the opening of all 15 nets.

It was still a fun day and we enjoyed finding plants and sloshing through the other exploding vegetative growth.

Head to the Wekiva blog here to see the whole report.

Greenwood Cemetery Fox

Volunteer day in preparation for the upcoming Memorial Day event at Greenwood Cemetery yielded a pleasant surprise.

I drove the oldest in while making a swing around the left curve to see if we could find any fox sightings as the den is located there. No luck.

We drove on and circled the area where we would soon straighten headstones to make the remembrance ceremonies more visually pleasing. During the last drive around the edge of the cemetery, we spotted the animal we were after earlier.



It stayed for a bit to watch us. Apparently, we were in its line of travel and instead of going around us it decided to wait for us to move on.

We did. It did.

Beautiful animal.

White-winged Dove and Woodpeckers

Another day of much-needed rain. Another day of a White-winged Dove sighting. This time waiting up in the dripping trees.



Over at the tray feeder, a Red-winged Blackbird scooped up wet seed to carry back to the lake down the road. No sign of chicks yet but they usually start joining the adults after they leave the nest.



In the middle of the yard, the dove came down to feed and to caution the Red-bellied Woodpecker adult that has become very bold. It even flies down right next to me as I fill feeders in the morning.



The colors are just wonderful this time of year.



The reason for the boldness is due, in large part, to the demands put on it by this very hungry chick which is also getting bolder day by day.



Gotta love baby time in the yard.

White-winged Dove Return

The rains have opened up all over the place, hopefully taking a bite out of the drought. They also have seen the return of a species not seen here for a while. A White-winged Dove!



Nice to see something slightly different than the abundant Mourning Doves. This bird could be a young one based on visual observations through the rain.

Cub Scout Campout

We had a camping trip with the Cub Scout group of families at Camp La No Che. The prospect of a few days in the heat of Florida usually weighs heavily but the thought of doing a little birding along the way softens the blow a bit. Plus, it is good to get a chance to spread some birding knowledge with the young ones.

There were a pair of Sandhill Cranes at the entrance to the camping grounds which was a nice start. By the time we made it to the tents the bird song was clear and I planned to explore a bit at least by morning.

The most vocal of birds around us were Northern Parula which were feeding everywhere overhead. Joining the calls of the males was another call. Young chicks were chasing the adults around begging for food. Every now and then an adult would venture down lower to provide a photo op.



Glancing through the treetops while tracking the Parula I noticed a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring across the strong breeze.



We had planned a nature hike up to the sulphur spring to give the kids a chance to look for some things found in nature nearby. It was such a hit that we went back a couple more times.



On the way back from the first hike I heard a song up in the pines. Finally, I found the Summer Tanager near the top of one tree.



Near the tent, a squirrel competes for food along with the Parulas.



As did a few Tufted Titmice.



Foraging for ants, a Six-lined Racer scampered back and forth.



Despite the ticks, all had a great time. We all headed home just as the rains moved in. Always fun at La No Che.

Remaining Mallard Youngsters

The remaining 5 ducklings from the clutch I have been watching are still around. No more losses so far. They are growing fast and hanging tight to mom.



While Mom makes sure that they do so.



Cute.

Killdeer Begin Again

Seems like after the (apparent) failure of the last brood the Killdeer are trying to start at a new nesting site along the banks of Lake Davis.

I walked down to see where they were seen a day ago and found one of the birds bathing in the water.



A closer search led to the discovery of the other of the pair seemingly sitting on a new nest spot.



The bathing bird noticed my discovery and quickly ran up to tell me to back the heck off.



The other bird held its ground and made an alarm call. I snapped a couple of shots (all of these using the zoom so I wasn't THAT close) and let them be and wished them luck.



Wishing them well. Another watch begins.


UPDATE: A couple days later I drove by to discover that the city ground workers were in full bore trimming and mowing down near the shore. This pretty much destroyed the nesting area. Great. Maybe next year...

Lake Lotus, May 10th

Owls are still wandering around the lanes looking for food to feed baby. Other things were discovered along the way such as some more migrants and interesting flowers. We also got our first baby Carolina Wren for the season!

Head to the Wekiva blog here to see the whole report.

Young Bald Eagle Spreads its Wings

Seems the Bald Eagle pair has produced only one chick this year but it is already getting big and preparing to fledge. There is now a daily contingent of photographers huddling around the nest tree at the cemetery. I remember to good old days of it only being me wandering around the graves and bird watching.

Sigh.

Anyway, here is the healthy chick posed on the edge of the nest.



A little while later, the bird stretches.



I later found it on another branch so it has begun to fly a bit already.

One more fledged and we will wait until next season to see more Eagle production.

Lake Davis Birds Recap

Still no rain and the lake continues to get lower with each passing day. For now, this is OK as it still keeps a few shorebirds around including Black-necked Stilts and a couple Lesser Yellow Legs.



We also have a few Least Sandpipers combing the nearby lake edges.



Still nice to see the female Green-winged Teal cruising the lake.



Though the biggest flock of young Mallard ducklings have dropped from 15 to 5, the older groups seem to be holding there own, traveling from the 'bird island' to the shore to find food.



A fun day to watch the lake but we really need rain.