Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) by Dan at Lake Morton

Today Dan and I went by Lake Morton for just a short while. We were on our way to have lunch and do some shopping. It was a great day without a cloud in the sky. The temperature was a pleasant 63° (17.2º C).

When we were last there, there were 5 young Limpkins and I want to see how they had grown. We spotted 4 of them sunning themselves. They have lost that fuzz on their heads and the spots are becoming quite distinguished. Dan took a great picture of one of them closeup.

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) by Dan at Lake Morton

I can tell by their faces that they are still young. Here is a photo of one when it still had its fuzz.

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) baby taken 9-12-11 by Lee

A Great Blue Heron decided to be friendly and came walking toward me while I was feeding some of the ducks. When I tossed him some food, he ate it and kept coming closer. I kept tossing it food and it kept coming closer. What a delight! If I were brave, I would have tried to hand feed him (or her). As I have said in other blogs, this is only one of two places we feed the birds in this area.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) by Dan at Lake Morton

What did we see today? Besides the 4 Limpkin youngsters and the Great Blue Heron, we spotted Black and Turkey Vultures, a Great Egret, Anhingas, more Great Blue Herons and a Snowy Egret. Those were seen on the way to Lake Morton in Lakeland. At the lake we saw 15-20 Coots (they are back), 3 Wood Storks, 15-20 Mallards, 10 “Aflac” Ducks, Muscovy Ducks, a Great Egret, Laughing Gull, 7 Mute Swans, 2 Black Swans, Boat-tailed Grackle and 10 Ring-necked Ducks (they are back). Our winter visiting birds are finally returning.

Dan feeding a Black Swan at Lake Morton

I caught Dan feeding one of the Black Swans. Then I found a Muscovy Duck sitting on a nest with the male standing guard in front. To me, they seem “not so pretty”, but the Lord created all the birds and I am sure His Eye is on the Muscovy as well as it is on the Sparrow.

Muscovy Duck on nest at Lake Morton by Lee

I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NKJV)

What a perfect day for birding and even though we weren’t there long, the Lord let us see His Creation again, up close and enjoy them.

This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:23-24 NKJV)

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