Tag Archives: Birdwatching Trips

Another Birdwatching Trip

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Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Lee at Honeymoon Is SP

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Lee at Honeymoon Is SP

The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalms 8:8-9 NKJV)

We just got back from another birdwatching trip. This time we birded the Honeymoon Island State Park and MacDill AFB beach. Was gone overnight and have many photos to prep. Here are just a few photos for now.

These Double-crested Cormorants were just sitting along the Gulf shore and one was sleeping. They seem to be tired and may have decided to stay on shore because of Hurricane Arthur’s bands of rain that kept sweeping the area the last two days. A man walked between the two and they didn’t even move.

Grey Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) by Lee at Honeymoon Is SP

Grey Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis) by Lee at Honeymoon Is SP

This photo of a Kingbird, which is the best shot I have ever had of one, was also at the state park. (Actually, just checked, these are the only ones I have taken of Grey Kingbirds. This was a LIFE BIRD for me. Yeah!)

Today, July 4th, we checked out the shore on Tampa Bay at the base. The birds were few, but enough to give us a chance to get some photos. Without so many species, maybe I’ll be able to ID them. My ID’s of shorebirds is still weak. I will pouring be over my bird books again. Praise the Lord for bird books. (I still think the Lord should have hung tags on them.)

Trust those of us celebrating the Fourth have had a good day. We have!

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Honeymoon Island State Park

Birdwatching Trips

Birdwatching

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Crested Pigeon at Zoo Miami

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COL-Colu Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) at ZM by Lee

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) at ZM by Lee

And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. (Genesis 15:9 KJV)

The Crested Pigeon was another interesting bird that we were able to watch at the Zoo Miami, Birds of Asia Aviary. I like their Crest. It adds some “class” to this creation from the Lord. They are colorful, but notice in the photos below how they blend in with their surrounding. The Creator has provided them with a nice camouflage design.

The Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes, also commonly known as the Top Notch Pigeon) is a bird found widely throughout mainland Australia except for the far northern tropical areas. They belong to the Columbidae Family and is the only member of the genus Ocyphaps. There are only two Australian pigeon species that possess an erect crest, being the Crested Pigeon and the Spinifex Pigeon. The Crested Pigeon is the larger of the two species.

Habitat is grasslands, brush and wooded areas but they can also be seen at watercourses, homestead gardens, pastoral areas, sports grounds, and golf courses. Their habitat has expanded since settlement has produced pastoral lands (previously they were only found in inland and Western Australia). Foraging for grain, has adapted to grain farming areas, often feeding on the noxious weed of Salvation Jane. They are commonly misidentified as the Topknot Pigeon.

Their most distinctive behaviour is the beating and whistling sound their wings make when they take off. This is most likely to draw the attention of predators to birds on the wing, and away from any birds remaining on the ground and as an alarm call to other pigeons. When the birds land, the tail tilts upwards and the flight patterns are similar to the those of the Spotted Turtle-Dove. They are generally solitory. Although they can be seen in pairs, they can be highly social and tend to be seen in packs. They are highly gregarious birds when in contact with humans. (Wikipedia)

COL-Colu Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) at ZM by Lee

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) at ZM by Lee

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalms 55:6 KJV)

Lee’s Addition:

I trust you enjoy the Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes). My computer is off line, in fact, not even set up. A new flooring is being installed in that room and it is getting a new coat of paint. So it will be down for several days. This is being scheduled ahead of time.

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Fawn-breasted Bowerbird at Zoo Miami

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Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) Zoo Miami by Lee

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) Zoo Miami by Lee

One of the neatest thing to watch on this last trip to the Wings of Asia Aviary at Zoo Miami was the Fawn-breasted Bowerbird working on his bower. “The bower itself is that of “avenue-type” with two sides of wall of sticks and usually decorated with green-colored berries.” In his case, he had green leaves laid out in front.

The Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) is a medium-sized, up to 13 in (32 cm) long, bowerbird with a greyish brown spotted white plumage, a black bill, dark brown iris, yellow mouth and an orange buff below. Both sexes are similar. The female is slightly smaller than the male.

The Fawn-breasted Bowerbird is distributed in New Guinea and northern Australia, where it inhabits the tropical forests, mangroves, savanna woodlands and forest edges. Its diet consists mainly of figs, fruits and insects. The nest is a loose cup made of small sticks up in a tree. The bower itself is that of “avenue-type” with two sides of wall of sticks and usually decorated with green-colored berries. (Wikipedia with editing)

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird by Dan ZM

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird by Dan ZM

The Bowerbirds are in the Ptilonorhynchidae-Bowerbird Family. There are twenty species in the family, of which, 16 are Bowerbirds.

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Here are two video clips of him working on the bower. Notice how he goes in and out the other end of the bower. Unfortunately we were only able to view it from the side. One shot he is actually placing the stick upright in the ground. (I recorded him for a bit and then Dan came along. As I was explaining it to him, I got tickled, so ignore the snorts.) I was absolutely amazed watching this bird, which the Lord created, knowing how to make his bower chamber.

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Did you notice the birds chirping and singing in the background. It is so peaceful in that aviary. The birds have so much room and places to hang out. You actually “bird watch” there.

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) Sign Zoo Miami by Lee

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird (Chlamydera cerviniventris) Sign Zoo Miami by Lee

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)

This is the sign telling about the Bowerbird and their name for it; a “Seduction Chamber.” We know that the Lord commanded the birds to reproduce and this bird is only following instructions. He builds his bower to entice a female to be his mate.

We were discussing this and several verses came to our minds:

My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. (Proverbs 1:10 NKJV)

And you shall stone him with stones until he dies, because he sought to entice you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (Deuteronomy 13:10 NKJV)

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:21-22 KJV)

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (1 John 2:25-26 KJV)

The Fawn-breasted is fine in what he is doing, but we can learn by watching and taking heed for ourselves.

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: (Job 12:7 KJV)

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Ptilonorhynchidae-Bowerbird Family

Fawn-breasted Bowerbird – Wikipedia

Bowerbirds – Wikipedia

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Zoo Miami’s Greater Yellownape

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Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) female Zoo Miami by Lee

Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) female Zoo Miami by Lee

For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. (Proverbs 1:9 NKJV)

Here is one of my favorites at Zoo Miami’s Wings of Asia Aviary. They have 87 species and they are all my favorites, but this one is further up the scale. This is a Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) female and believe it is the only Yellownape there at present.

Dan and I went back down to Zoo Miami this week and spent two days just in the Aviary. When we were there earlier this year, most of my photos did not come out well. After some adjustments to my Panasonic Lumix FZ47 point-n-shoot (which I shoot in “program mode”), things didn’t do much better at first the first day. More adjustments and these came out better. Tuesday night in the motel, Dan made some more fixes. Yesterday, I finally got some really nice photos which I will share later.

Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) female Zoo Miami by Dan

Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha) female Zoo Miami by Dan

My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. (Proverbs 6:20-21 NKJV)

For those of you into photography, the problem is that the Aviary is well landscaped with lots of trees and is covered with its wire mesh. My ISO and lens speed were to low to compensate for the environment. My camera normally does well when I am “outdoors” and not in an aviary. (As for ISOs and F-stops, I don’t know much them. I would rather study about the birds and let Dan worry about the camera.)

Back to our Yellownape. This is another neat creation from its Creator. They belong to the Woodpecker – Picidae Family. At the aviary, they call it the Greater Yellow Naped Woodpecker.

List of birds at Wings of Asia - Greater Yellow Nape

List of birds at Wings of Asia – Greater Yellownape

From a copy of their list, you can tell it is a female and the only one. The list has the number of males first, then number of females and then the third number is unknown sex. Every day they check on the birds and try to find each one. If after 3 days a bird isn’t spotted, then a real search begins. By following the counters around, who were very friendly and willing to help with names of birds, many of the birds come out and into view. Could it be because the counters have food with them? In fact some of the birds make themself right at home on the cart.

Counters with friends

Counters with friends

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Counters with friends making themselves at home

Counters with friends making themselves at home

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Counters with friends making themselves at home

Counters with friends making themselves at home

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Actually the Yellownape came in close the second day, but I failed to get her photo, but Dan captured her in the second photo as she was eating worms from the hole in the tree. The worker had just placed some worms there to bring the birds in closer so they could be counted.

The Greater Yellownape is a large, olive-green woodpecker with prominent yellow-crested nape and throat. Dark olive-green with grey underparts. Crown brownish and flight feathers chestnut barred with black. Bill often looks whitish. “Nape” is the back or base of the neck area. See Birdwatching Term – Nape

It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. (Wikipedia)

Included in the photos below is a photo of a male from Wikipedia. Notice his line on his chin is more yellow than the female. Here is more of a rusty color.

Here are the photos of the Greater Yellownape (Chrysophlegma flavinucha).

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. …It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” (Luke 15:20, 32 NKJV)

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Wood Storks at Gatorland

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Lee with Wood Stork at Gatorland by Dan

Lee with Wood Stork at Gatorland by Dan

Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:17 KJV)

As you can see, these birds at Gatorland can get quite personal. I had been photographing this Wood Stork when Dan took my picture. My hand was about a foot from his beak. On the rail behind us there is a Great Egret and a Snowy.

Lee with Wood Stork at Gatorland by Dan

Lee with Wood Stork at Gatorland by Dan

Thought maybe you might like to see what photos I had been taking of that Wood Stork. They were really close-up needless to say. I have been known to be closer. (Me Feeding a Stork)

Wood Stork Close-up by Lee

Wood Stork Close-up by Lee

How about a little closer – zoomed in:

Wood Stork Face Close-up by Lee

Wood Stork Face Close-up by Lee

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Wood Stork Close-up by Lee

Wood Stork Neck Close-up by Lee

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Wood Stork Close-up by Lee

Wood Stork Beak Close-up by Lee

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What always amazed about the Wood Storks is that to me they are “ugly”, but when they fly, they are so graceful. Isn’t that the way with us. The Lord made us all, birds and humans, but when we look at someone, there is always somethig that we can find to compliment them on.

Wood Storks belong to the Ciconiidae – Storks Family.

This photo was just caught as one flew over, not in focus, but you can see their beauty.

Wood Stork overhead at Gatorland

Wood Stork overhead at Gatorland

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)

Below are the photos taken of the Wood Storks around Gatorland. The ones in the distant were zoomed in from across the pond (see that photo). Later, we walked around on the other side of the pond and got them closer.

(Disclaimer, I am not a photographer, but a birdwatcher. So, don’t expect super shots, but just trying to show different parts of the Wood Storks.)

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Gatorland II – Great Egret Chick

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Great Egret at Gatorland by Dan

Great Egret at Gatorland by Dan

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

As you may be able to tell by Dan’s photo, that the parent was protecting the youngster. We were told that this was the first Great Egret chick born this year. From the other articles, you saw lots of them sitting on nests. A few others have been born since this one, but we weren’t able to see them.

Great Egret at Nest with Chick at Gatorland by Lee cropped more

Great Egret at Nest with Chick at Gatorland by Lee cropped more

After all the fancy display of feathers and courting, nest building and mating, the Egrets get to work incubating and then raise their young. This one was being watched for very well. The normal clutch size is 1-6 eggs. This one seems to be the only one for this pair.

Great Egret at Nest with Chick at Gatorland by Lee

Great Egret at Nest with Chick at Gatorland by Lee

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. (Psalms 34:11 NKJV)

“The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, feeding mainly on fish, frogs, small mammals, and occasionally small reptiles and insects, spearing them with its long, sharp bill most of the time by standing still and allowing the prey to come within its striking distance of its bill which it uses as a spear. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.” (Wikipedia) From this remark and the photos we have shown, they are in a habitat that allows them to feed their young.

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Here are photos of this Great Egret chick taken at Gatorland. As you can tell, the little one has a way to go. Its feathers on the wings, its skin, legs, etc. all need to grow.

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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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