Category Archives: Birdwatching

Gatorland II – Great Egrets at the Nest

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Great Egret on Nest at Gatorland

Great Egret on Nest at Gatorland

If a bird’s nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; (Deuteronomy 22:6 NKJV)

I have been saving the Great Egrets because they were so numerous. They were absolutely spectacular in the breeding plumage. This first article is about the Great Egrets on the nest. They were either sitting, building, improving or exchanging mates sitting on the eggs. Later I will show the one that has already been born and then on Sunday, plans are to show the beautiful plumage as a Sunday Inspiration.

Great Egret on Nest at Gatorland

Great Egrets in Breeding Plumage on Nest at Gatorland

There were not that many species represented at Gatorland (which are not captives), but what was there has left me awed by the way Our Creator has provided for the birds. He commanded them to reproduce and these birds put on quite a show to impress their mates. Their Maker has given them the ability to grow extra feathers, change the colors on their beaks and feet, and some birds have eyes that change color. Wow! Praise the Lord for His love and care for them. How much more love has He shown to us.

Great Egret on Nest at Gatorland

Great Egret on Nest at Gatorland

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32 NKJV)

Enjoy these photos of Great Egrets on their nest and then a video of “the changing of the guard” at one of the nest I was able to witness. (Click on a thumbnail to see photos full screen)

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See the Gatorland Birdwatching Page

Gatorland in Orlando

Falling Plates

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Tricolored Herons at Gatorland

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Tricolored Heron at Gatorland

Tricolored Heron at Gatorland

the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe…. (Leviticus 11:19 NKJV)

Here is the next beautifully created bird seen on our trip to Gatorland this week. See the other articles listed below.

Today, I want to share the Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) which were in their breeding plumage busy courting and building nest.

“During breeding season, the Tricolored Heron sports a short white head plume, a buffy throat and fore-neck, a blue face, and a blue bill, tipped with black. The eyes are reddish, and the legs pinkish. Nonbreeding adults have a yellow face, bill, and legs; the throat and fore-neck are white.” (Audubon)

Tricolored Heron at Gatorland

Tricolored Heron at Gatorland

The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) formerly known in North America as the Louisiana Heron, is a small heron. They are in the Ardeidae- Herons, Bitterns Family. It is a resident breeder from the Gulf states of the USA and northern Mexico south through Central America and the Caribbean to central Brazil and Peru. There is some post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range.

Tricolored Heron’s breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, 3–7 eggs are typically laid.

Tricolored Heron at Gatorland

Tricolored Heron at Gatorland

This species measures from 56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in) long, and has a wingspan of 96 cm (38 in). The slightly larger male heron weighs 415 g (14.6 oz) on average, while the female averages 334 g (11.8 oz). It is a medium-large, long-legged, long-necked heron with a long pointed yellowish or greyish bill with a black tip. The legs and feet are dark.

Adults have a blue-grey head, neck, back and upperwings, with a white line along the neck. The belly is white.
Tricolored Heron stalks its prey in shallow or deeper water, often running as it does so. It eats fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and insects. (Wikipedia)

Trying this method of showing the photos. By clicking on a photo, it will bring it up full screen and then you can browse through them. Leave a comment as to which method you prefer.

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Video of Tricoloreds Preening and Building Nest

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Gatorland’s Snowy Egrets

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Snowy Egret in Breeding Plumage at Gatorland by Dan

Snowy Egret in Breeding Plumage at Gatorland by Dan

Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth. (Genesis 8:17 NKJV)

In yesterday’s blog, I told about the alligators at Gatorland. Today, we continue with the Snowy Egrets which are there in the rookery. The “rookery” or a place where lots of birds gather to build nest, court, mate and raise their young at Gatorland is protected by the gators. Birds like to find small islands or areas that are protected from animals or snakes that eat the young. When the rookery is surrounded by gators, they have much protection. The alligators get their “pay” by catching the young that accidentally fall from the nest. It is not perfect for the birds, but it does allow them to raise most of their young.

Snowy Egret - Noticd the Red when breeding by Lee

Snowy Egret – Noticd the Red when breeding by Lee

All the birds in the nesting area are wild birds and not captives. They are free to come and go as they please. Right now, they please to be there to raise their young. This is prime time breeding season at Gatorland.

Even Feet Get Reddish Tint - Snowy Egret at Gatorland by Lee

Even Feet Get Reddish Tint – Snowy Egret at Gatorland by Lee

Here are some of the photos of the Snowy Egrets from yesterday. The top one was a great catch by Dan. Isn’t the Lord amazing in how He created these birds. Their feathers are so beautiful and it is neat how some of their parts change color.

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Gatorland – March 2014 ~ I

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Gators at Gatorland

Gators at Gatorland

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. (Genesis 1:24 NKJV)

Today we drove over to Gatorland in Orlando. We had heard that the “rookery” was hopping with birds making nest, courting, mating, and raising babies.Spring is in the air.

We were not disappointed. We were over there last year, Vol 2, #6 – The American Flamingo, and I showed some of the Flamingos. They are still there, plus lots of Gators. We saw one crocodile also. What was so neat about thsi trip was the “rookery” which I will share later. With over 500 photos to sort through, I decided to show some of the gators and a really neat video I made of some acting like taxis.

Gatorland has been there for many years and as a bird lover, it is a super place to visit. In fact, I went to Gatorland as a kid with my mother almost 60 years ago. Needless to say, it has changed over the years, but they still have lots of gators.

Jumperoo Show - Dan caught this one taking the chicken

Jumperoo Show – Dan caught this one taking the chicken

They have shows like the Jumparoo where they get the gators to jump up to get some chicken (dead of course). It is an interesting place to visit and reasonably priced.

Here are some of the photos from today of alligators.

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I couldn’t believe these Great Egrets that were using the Alligators as a Taxi. They were even chasing one another off so they could catch a ride.

Gators at Gatorland - Great Egrets catching a ride by Lee

Gators at Gatorland – Great Egrets catching a ride

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Here are some videos I made of them catching a “Taxi”

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Carolina Wren at Myakka River State Park

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Embed from Getty Images
Carolina Wren

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (Song of Solomon 2:12 KJV)

I am testing a new feature that WordPress has just made available for bloggers. We can now “embed” photos from Getty Images into articles. They have a wealth of photos, but unless embedded, can be expensive to use.

Since I chased the Carolina Wren at Myakka River SP all over the place with my camera and never got a photo, I turned on the video and recorded its sound. I have converted it to an MP3 and borrowed some of Getty’s great photos. Here is another of the neat birds that the Lord gave such a pretty song to.

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Embed from Getty Images
Carolina Wren

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Carolina Wrens belong to the Troglodytidae – Wrens Family. The Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a common species of wren, resident in the eastern half of the USA, the extreme south of Ontario, Canada, and the extreme northeast of Mexico. A distinct population in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Belize and extreme north of Guatemala is treated either as a subspecies Thryothorus ludovicianus albinucha, or as a separate species, White-browed Wren (Thryothorus albinucha) . The Carolina Wren is the state bird of South Carolina; its specific name ludovicianus means “from Louisiana”.

Embed from Getty Images
Carolina Wren

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The upperparts are rufous brown, and the underparts a strong orange-buff, usually unmarked but faintly barred on the flanks in the southwest of the range. The head has a striking pure white supercilium (eyebrow) and a whitish throat. The race albinucha is duller brown above and has additional white streaking on the head.

It is easiest to confuse with the Bewick’s Wren, a fairly close relative, which differs in being smaller but with a longer tail, grayer-brown above and whiter below. The Carolina and White-browed Wrens differ from the House Wren in being larger, with a decidedly longer bill and hind toe.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ian

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ian (Not Getty)

The Carolina Wren is noted for its loud song, popularly rendered as “teakettle-teakettle-teakettle”. This song is rather atypical among wrens and closely resembles that of the Kentucky Warbler which shares much of its range. A given bird will typically sing several different songs. Only the male birds sing their loud song. The songs vary regionally, with birds in northern areas singing more slowly than those in southern areas.

The Carolina Wren also has a series of calls, including a rapid series of descending notes in a similar timbre to its song, functioning as an alarm call, and a very harsh and loud scolding call made to threaten intruders. (Wikipedia)

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3:16 The Numbers of Hope

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Myakka River State Park – March 4th

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Myakka River SP

Myakka River SP

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:22-23 NKJV)

Yesterday we rode down to Myakka River State Park, then over to an Amish restuarant in Sarasota and back. A birdwatching adventure of almost 200 miles .  What a beautiful the Lord gave to see some more of His Creation.

As Dan drives I keep a list of the birds spotted. Just finished posting them to eBird. Counting the State Park and the different county lists, we saw a total of 43 species today. Not bad.

This was sort of a survey trip to check out the park. We have never been there before. We spotted 23 species there and saw lots of alligators floating in their lake. It was foggy driving down and it was starting to clear some by the time we arrived. At the first little pond the water was quite reflective. Myakka is the largest park in the State system.

Great Blue Heron by Lee Myakka SP

Great Blue Heron by Lee Myakka SP

Actually, compared to Circle B Bar Reserve, which is only about 5 miles from the house, it was sparse on birds. Guess we have gotten spoiled having Circle B so close.

But still, it was an enjoyable trip. I was able to get a photo of a Catbird and chased a Northern Parula with my camera all over the place. Finally got a bad shot which at least help nail down the ID. A Carolina Wren was singing away, but never got a decent shot of him either. Also saw 9 Wild Turkeys.

On the ride down, my highlight was spotting 4 Crested Caracaras and 5 Belted Kingfishers. Of course since we were traveling, no photos taken.

Haven’t gone through all photos yet, but here are a few from yesterday.

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Taxonomic order – 04 Mar 2014
1 Wild Turkey – 9
2 Pied-billed Grebe – 1
3 Wood Stork – 4
4 Double-crested Cormorant – 1
5 Great Blue Heron – 2
6 Great Egret – 2
7 Snowy Egret – 1
8 Little Blue Heron – 1
9 Tricolored Heron – 1
10 Cattle Egret – 53
11 White Ibis – 25
12 Glossy Ibis – 1
13 Black Vulture – 35
14 Turkey Vulture – 11
15 Osprey – 21
16 Red-shouldered Hawk – 2
17 Red-tailed Hawk – 1
18 Common Gallinule – 4
19 American Coot – 1
20 Limpkin – 1
21 Sandhill Crane – 2
22 Eurasian Collared-Dove – 1
23 White-winged Dove – 1
24 Mourning Dove – 5
25 Belted Kingfisher – 5
26 Downy Woodpecker – 1
27 Crested Caracara – 4
28 American Kestrel – 1
29 Loggerhead Shrike – 2
30 Blue Jay – 3
31 American Crow – 1
32 Fish Crow – 6
33 Tree Swallow – 10
34 Carolina Wren – 3
35 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 2
36 Gray Catbird – 2
37 Northern Mockingbird – 2
38 Northern Parula – 1
39 Palm Warbler – 4
40 Yellow-rumped Warbler – 3
41 Red-winged Blackbird – 1
42 Common Grackle – 3
43 Boat-tailed Grackle – 8

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Lemmings Fuel Biggest Snowy-owl Migration in 50 years – Re-post

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Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Female in Florida 2013-2014 ©©minds-eye

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) Female in Florida 2013-2014 ©©minds-eye

the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture; (Leviticus 11:17-18 NKJV)

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)

Here is a very interesting article about the Snowy Owls being spotted so much this winter. It is from the Focusing On Wildlife blog.

For the lowly Arctic lemming, life is cruel. In a flash before death, often the last things a lemming sees are the deadly talons of a majestic . A mass sacrifice of this rodent with stubby legs probably gave rise to what scientists are calling the largest snowy-owl irruption in at least half a century. The gleaming white birds poured out of Canada this winter to points throughout the eastern US, captivating birdwatchers, scientists and people who had never seen them up close.

For the rest of the article – CLICK HERE

Wordless Birds

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Don’t sit around the house. Get out and enjoy nature!

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This is from an e-mail and thought all of us birdwatchers and photographers might enjoy it.

Don’t sit around the house.

Get out and enjoy nature!

Don't sit around the house 1Don't sit around the house 2Don't sit around the house 3Don't sit around the house 4Don't sit around the house 6Don't sit around the house 7Don't sit around the house 8Don't sit around the house 9Don't sit around the house 10Don't sit around the house 11Don't sit around the house 12Don't sit around the house 13Don't sit around the house 14Don't sit around the house 15*

Never mind, go back inside.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6 NKJV)

How Do You Bird Watch?

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Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks at Circle B by Lee

Observe and consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn; and [yet] God feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than the birds!
(Luke 12:24 AMP)

It would be interesting to hear from those readers who go birdwatching or watch birds, even if it is only from your window. Consider leaving comments so that we can understand that there are various methods.

As for me, my ways of birdwatching have changed over the years. First, I became more aware of the birds around me by a naturalist at a local park in south Florida. We started with simple things like not staring at a tree, but use “soft eyes” to watch for movement. After that, she showed me how to hold and adjust the binoculars. What a difference that made. Notes and a good bird book came next. The rest is history. I love birds and enjoy seeing how beautifully they were created.

Over time, I wanted to see how many birds I could get on a list. Many people like to birdwatch this way. They will go to great heights (literally) to find a new bird for their list. I would put Ian in that category. Don’t you just enjoy reading about his birdwatching adventures.

Dan searching for something to photo

Dan searching for something to photograph

Many like Dan, Ian, and our other photographers enjoy the challenge of photography. It is not always easy to get a great photo, especially when the birds don’t wait for you to get all the settings right.

Lee at Lake Morton by Dan

Lee at Lake Morton by Dan

Some like to feed the wildlife at home or a park and watch whoever shows up at that location.

Then you have every thing in between. Some enjoy going on birdwatching trips with other birders. This can be very helpful when you are just learning about the birds.

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) Palm Beach Zoo by Lee

Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris) Palm Beach Zoo by Lee

Today, I have mellowed somewhat. Between an issue with my feet and legs, I can no longer walk great distances. My age is also becoming a factor. I enjoy watching birds wherever they are including the Zoos. Those are easier for me to handle and actually, get to see the birds for longer periods of time and at closer ranges. That also allows me to see birds from other areas that I will never be able to get to.

I think I am actually becoming a bird “watcher.” I enjoy just seeing what they are up to or how they are put together. Like those feet I mentioned in the last article. Finding Birds in the Bible and Birds in Hymns are also pleasurable for me.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) Feet by Lee at PB Zoo

Black-bellied Whistling Duck Feet by Lee at PB Zoo

Is any one way of birdwatching any better than another? Not to my way of thinking. They are all fine methods and there are plenty of birds out there for all of us to enjoy.

What is your method or what gives you the most enjoyment when you are out on a “birdwatching adventure”?

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Ian’s Bird of the Week

A J Mithra’s way of mixing birds and Scripture.

Check out our photographers down the sidebar.

Our Guest Writers

Most of the rest are my adventures plus the –

Birds in the Bible and Birds in Hymns

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The Common Potoo – Video

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Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) by Daves BirdingPix

Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) by Daves BirdingPix

Thought I would share this video with you. A friend suggested that I watch it. It is really good.

Also, I didn’t do the usual Sunday Inspiration today because of honoring A J Mithra. It has affected me greatly. He had become a dear friend and I will miss him. I know he is enjoying the Lord’s presence, but there is still sadness here.

The world’s most brazenly hidden bird — the Common Potoo by jonnytropics

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Potoos are members of the Nyctibiidae – Potoos Family. There are seven species and the Lord has given them an appearance of wood or some camouflaged look.

This verse is out of context, but it describes our bird.

It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, ….. (Job 4:16)

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Nyctibiidae – Potoos Family

Wordless Birds

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A J Mithra – Now With His Lord

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A J Mithra

A J Mithra

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

I just received word that A. J. Mithra passed away yesterday, Friday, January 31, 2014, of a cardiac arrest. They had the funeral today. A J was 54 and is survived by his wife and two children. He knew the Lord as his personal Saviour and we know that He is in the presence of the Lord.

The Times of India has this article: Chronicler of birdsong Mithra falls silent. His Facebook page, Aj Mithra, is still active for now.

I knew he has not sent many articles lately and when I contacted him recently, he told me that he was not feeling well. Here is an excerpt for that e-mail.

So many things had happened during the past few months.. Our son had a fall while playing basketball and developed a hairline crack. Then my wife’s vocal chord got so bad that she was asked to stop talking for two months.. She is still having pain and is on medical leave. Our daughter was down with fever and now since a week I’m unwell too.

Please keep A. J.’s family in your prayers as I know we will. His articles were always such a joy to receive and place on here. He had a way of watching birds and then coming up with his applications. It always made one stop and think, and then want to correct a behavior that the Lord might not be pleased with.

His articles are posted on his page here at: A J Mithra

I, personally am going to miss him greatly. We have become good friends over the years. He had recently gotten a nice camera and was having a great time photographing birds, which he loved. Here are a few from his Facebook page.

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Here are some of his articles:

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ABA 2014 Bird of the Year – Rufous Hummingbird

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Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) by Judd Patterson

For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, … (Zec 4:10a KJV)

The Birding Bunch left me a comment and reminded me that the ABA Bird of the Year for 2014 has been announced. So, I have updated the Badge on the Sidebar. The bird they chose this year is another beautiful creation from the Lord.

ABA Bird of the Year

The Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) is a small hummingbird, about 3 inches  long (8 cm) with a long, straight and very slender bill. The female is slightly larger than the male.

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) by Africaddict

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) by Africaddict

The adult male, (shown in the photo), has a white breast, rufous face, upperparts, flanks and tail and an iridescent orange-red throat patch (gorget). Some males have some green on back and/or crown. The female has green upperparts with some white, some iridescent orange feathers in the center of the throat, and a dark tail with white tips and rufous base. Females and the rare green-backed males are extremely difficult to differentiate from Allen’s Hummingbird.

They feed on nectar from flowers using a long extendable tongue or catch insects on the wing. These birds require frequent feeding while active during the day and become torpid at night to conserve energy.

Because of their small size, they are vulnerable to insect-eating birds and animals.

He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. (Psalm 115:13-15 KJV)

Read more about this beautifully created Hummingbird at:

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