GOING BACK IN TIME….
1/28/24 Bell Glade Marina, FL: We had a little fest with some amazing Painted Bunting males. They were snacking on seed sprays on an early and rather foggy morning. They would butterfly up and grab the seed spray, land with it in their claws, and then nibble on the seeds. It was absolutely beautiful to watch and the images don’t do the activity justice! Also: Indigo Bunting (f) and Limpkin.
1/27/24 Wakodahatchee Wetlands, FL: After we bid Larry Manfredi (scroll below) farewell, we stopped at the wetlands in the afternoon: Wood Stork , Tricolored Heron , Black-bellied Whistling-Duck , Blue-winged Teal , Boat-tailed Grackle (m,f), Glossy Ibis , Gray-headed Swamphen , Mottled Duck pair , Greater Scaup , Roseate Spoonbill , Red-bellied Woodpecker , and a Sharp-shinned Hawk (from Amelia Island).
1/27/24 Miami, FL: We spent an awesome half day with phenomenal guide Larry Manfredi who showed us, among many other birds, the Yellow-headed Caracara being seen down in his neck of the woods. It popped in for a few minutes after a rain shower – then vanished! We felt very lucky to see it that long and so quickly in the day. Some of the many birds seen with him: we caught Eastern Screech-Owl , Monk Parakeet , Rufous Hummingbird , and we had such a fun time seeing the Blue-and-yellow Macaw flock that roams a section of south Miami. WOW! Also: distant views of Broad-winged Hawk and Short-tailed Hawk (dark ph.). A big, BIG thanks, Larry!
1/26/24 Merrit Island NWR, FL: Reddish Egret individuals were putting on a bit of a show. (One was attacked by something large lurking in the water…we were glad the bird jumped!) Also: Roseate Spoonbill, American Coot , Blue-winged Teal , Double-crested Cormorant , Little Blue Heron (ad), Great Blue Heron , another Little Blue Heron (juv. white, eating a drangonfly), and Greater Yellowlegs . What a glorious morning!
1/26/24 Merritt Island NWR, FL: Pied-billed Grebe , Wilson’s Snipe (poor pic but still of interest as we saw 6 of these), Anhinga , Glossy Ibis , Common Gallinule , Green Heron , Osprey , and a Lesser Scaup pair . There was also a large mixed flock of gulls, skimmers, and dowitchers at the first bend.
1/19/24 Ft. Clinch SP, Amelia Island, FL: Great Horned Owl is nesting at the park. (Please be respectful and quiet.) Also: Black Skimmer , Bonaparte’s Gull , Sanderling taking a bath , Forster’s Tern , Ring-billed Gull , Red Knot , and Yellow-rumped Warbler individuals plucking berries and bathing!
1/13/24 Pensacola, FL: On our way back from TX and AZ, we stopped to get Snowy Plover individuals along beach dunes. One poor little fellow had 5 bands – seemed a bit excessive. Here is a study of about six individuals we found on a chilly and windy morning. Also: Bonaparte’s Gull .
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