Recent USA and North American Trips 1/31/25 – 3/4/25

GOING BACK IN TIME….

3/4/25 Amelia Island, FL: After our New York trip (see below), we checked on the Great Horned Owl nest at Ft. Clinch which is always awesome to watch. An adult was nearby and one chick had climbed out of the nest.

2/22/25 to 2/24/25 We flew up to New York for a few days to catch the visiting Northern Lapwing, a possible European Herring Gull, and a Pink-footed Goose (distant). We saw all three and other cool birds too! (With our winter coats and tripod in Mexico for the trip, photography was a bit challenging but we did OK and got it done! We were glad to have our lost luggage back – just in time to come home!)

2/24/25 Long Island, NY: A Snow Bunting flock was trying to avoid the interest of a Northern Harrier. (Personally, we thought they were more hidden in the grass but they continued to fly about.)

2/24/2025 Long Island, NY: We were hoping to get better images of a pink-footed Goose but we only saw this one at a distance. It was still fun to see. Speaking of geese, we also ran into a Brant flock. Also: Canada Goose (with one possible hybrid showing white on its head), poor images of a Lapland Longspur (in the Snow Bunting flock), and American Robin .

2/22 and 2/23/25 Long Island, NY: We found the Northern Lapwing immediately. Light was a little harsh – but the bird was beautiful! The next day, the possible European Herring Gull (just split) was caught on a rock with an American Herring Gull (lighter back/ pink legs) next to it. We were able to catch the possible European Herring Gull showing the darker back, yellow legs, and the white wing tips in flight. (Some are saying it might be a Lesser Black-backed Gull+American Herring Gull hybrid.) We also caught Gadwall , Green-winged Teal , Mute Swan , American Herring Gull , Ring-billed Gull , and an obliging Song Sparrow feeding in the grass.

2/9 to 2/18/2025 Amelia Island, FL: Sunrise offered some birds in silhouette: Black Skimmer group , Brown Pelican , Forster’s Tern , and Willet . Also: a new Great Horned Owl chick and one Cedar Waxwing from a flock of forty that was swarming a holly tree (they just didn’t want to all pose together). And one more: A Western Kingbird was found on island and we caught a pic!

1/31-2/1/2025 Belle Glade, FL: We headed back to this area which is always fun to explore. We were “wowed” by Painted Bunting and Palm Warbler individuals coming out for us!

2/1/25/ Belle Glade, FL: A male Indigo Bunting in molt was also feeding on seeds and peeked out at us regularly. Also: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher , Common Yellowthroat , Little Blue Heron (white juv.), Glossy Ibis in flight, Red-shouldered Hawk with nest material , Northern Rough-winged Swallow , and Osprey .

1/31/25 Belle Glade, FL: In the spirit of: “Times may seem Hard, But You Will Survive!”, we would like to dedicate these Great Egret/lizard pics to all the people who find themselves in such unfortunate “lizard situations”. There is always hope – this guy got away! Also: Gray-headed Swamphen , White-eyed Vireo , Northern Rough-winged Swallow , and Northern Parula .