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.
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2013 Sparrow Drive, Part 1

Before we head out to our next Sparrow round-up I guess I should get the post up about the first one! Every year, we try to assist our friend Marianne Korosy in her sparrow project over a Weeki Wachee Preserve on the Gulf coast. The first one this year was held on January 19th. Maria and I arrived at dawn and helped set nets across the vast grassy areas in what was once a limestone quarry.

Once nets are set and instructions are given to the volunteers (mainly fellow birders, many of which are new to the project and wanting to see specific sparrows for the first time)some of us stand near the nets while the rest of the group moves toward sections of the nets making as much noise as possible hoping to flush any birds hiding in the grass into the nets. Recent volunteers to the Lake Lotus banding site, Greg and Becki, joined us by 'go time'.



Our first bird of the day was a Le Conte's Sparrow. Birds are placed in cloth bags and taken to Marianne as quickly as possible where she processes the data as we continue to work the grasses.



Next up, we began catching Henslow's Sparrows. We caught 4 of them today.



A Swamp Sparrow was a dded to the list but birds were few and far between today. Making things worse, the wind started blowing stronger. Nets toppled and we tried to keep them all standing but eventually gave up and concentrated on sections at a time. Soon, we captured a Sedge Wren.



One bird veered away from the nets and circled behind the group as they advanced. Clay and I decided to give chase as the day was coming to a close. We flushed the bird a few more times in different directions and we finally steered it into a net where I grabbed it before it escaped again. It was our only Grasshopper Sparrow of the day.



I took the Grasshopper Sparrow over to the group for photos. Greg and Becki added 4 Life Birds to their lists today.



Marianne and Meret Wilson, another fellow bird bander, discuss our final bird of the day, a Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler. Our day was over here at the preserve so we packed up and prepared to head home.



There were reports of several rare birds in different areas on our path home. We didn't find the Red-breasted Nuthatches other had heard on the preserve other the past few days. We headed on toward target #2 which happened to be just across the main road in a little botanical garden.

We did search for the Rufus Hummingbird but it was a no-show, too. It was fun to walk around for a bit and find some interesting things. It seemed too early for Camillias to be in bloom but they sure were.



There were a few Sulphur Butterflies visiting the butterfly garden where the hummingbird was suppose to be.



A chrysalis hung in a shrub looked about ready to spring forth a new butterfly into the world.



Teough a small garden, it seems to have a large varieties of themes. One of them was a fantasy theme where we found this castle.



Continuing our trek towards home, we stopped by Ranch Road to look for the Say's Phoebe. It did not show itself but we did find Eastern Bluebirds, American Goldfinches, and miniature horse that Maria bore a strong resemblance to a certain rock star. I just call him Jon Bon Poni...



Off to Lust Road where I hear there has n=been an Ash-throated Flycatcher. Not today. We had to settle for some other species such as an Eastern Phoebe...



...and a Vesper Sparrow which seems to be going bald. We were quickly loosing light and still had another stop to make over at Magnolia Park.



We have been invited to do a banding demonstration in March so I wanted to get a lay of the land and see if there were any good spots for nets. I headed down one trail and Maria found a Bald Eagle up in the tree tops.



Along the trial I was exploring I found a opening Moon Glory responding to the darkening day.



I think I know where I want to put the nets. Now I just have to get permission. As we head back to the car we glance back towards the lake and snap one last shot.



Long day. Missed on every new bird I was after but it was fun to round up the sparrows. We will be back there on February 9th for the final event.

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