GOING BACK IN TIME….
8/21/24 JAX and Amelia Island, FL: A Black Tern flock mostly in molt gathered on the beach along with the Brown Pelican juveniles testing their wings and bathing. We also came across an Eastern Bluebird family with youngsters in interesting plumage feeding in the grass.
8/20/24 Amelia Island and Big Talbot SP, FL: First, a very happy Osprey eating a fish. Then, scenes from the forest: Yellow-throated Warbler , Northern Parula , Red-bellied Woodpecker pair already house shopping, Prairie Warbler , Eastern Bluebird , and Red-shouldered Hawk . Finally, from the pond: Roseate Spoonbill flock blushing in the early morning light, a distant Marbled Godwit , and a Caspian Tern at sunrise.
8/15/24 Big Talbot SP, FL: After we birded around Amelia Island in the morning, we took a ride in the afternoon to catch a Gull-billed Tern flock (with a juvenile) resting on the pond’s shore along with tons of – mostly distant – other birds. There were at least six Reddish Egret individuals of various plumages that ventured closer. Also: Snowy Egret and Whimbrel .
8/15/24 Amelia Island, FL: Amelia Island, FL: Prairie Warbler , Ruby-throated Hummingbird (f), Pileated Woodpecker (f. or imm), Yellow-throated Warbler , Great Crested Flycatcher , Eastern Bluebird (juv), Ruddy Turnstone , Red-bellied Woodpecker (f), Downy Woodpecker , (f), and Sandwich Tern (ad, juv).
8/10/24 Amelia Island, FL: It was exciting to see two Black Terns show up on the beach and thus a study of the pair in molting plumage:
8/10/24 Amelia Island, FL: It was an exceptionally terny day: After the Black Terns showed up, there were Common Tern (still breeding plumage), Least Tern , Royal Tern , and Sandwich Tern (still feeding the young one)! Also: Sanderling , Ruddy Turnstone , and Willet .
8/9/24 Jacksonville, FL: Migration is already in motion. A lone Piping Plover showed up on the beach. Meanwhile, a last look at the Brown Pelican colony allowed us some images of some teens in the dunes, all grown up.
8/2/24 Jacksonville, FL: The Huguenot Memorial Park colony seems to have had a very successful year and much credit goes to the wonderful staff and wildlife team there who protect the birds from the often careless visitors and help with the hurt birds as well . Kudos and thanks for the long hours!
Below: Sandwich Tern (ad,juv) , visiting Great Black-backed Gull (various plumages – we don’t believe they nest there), and Brown Pelican . There are still young ones in the dunes, but many are venturing down to the water now. When a fisherman walked by, he scared the flock. The adults flew off, but the whole troupe of flightless youngsters panicked and hopped in the water where many almost floundered in the waves. We were ready to save any that needed it, but they all made it back to shore!
8/2/24 Royal Tern study (ad, juv.) and 1 image of a Laughing Gull family.
8/1/24 Okefenokee NWR, GA: A bit quiet but we caught Backman’s Sparrow and Red-headed Woodpecker .
7/24 to 7/29/24 Northeast FL: A few mornings spent wandering around Amelia Island and nearby areas offered some fun looks: Canada Goose (bathing), Common Ground-Dove , Tricolored Heron hunting , Black Skimmer , Laughing Gull and Sanderling (both also bathing) , Spotted Sandpiper , and Sandhill Crane (ad, juv.).
7/29/24 Amelia Island, FL: A Willet flock gathering on the beach allowed us a study of these graceful birds as they bathed in early morning light.
7/24/24 Nassau Co., FL: We spent a pretty morning traveling around Nassau Co. and found a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk , an Eastern Meadowlark family, a few Loggerhead Shrike individuals, a small Black Vulture flock feeding on a dead pig, and a Barred Owl (in rather poor light, but still fun to see)!
7/19/24 Harris Neck State Park, GA: An amazing morning! It was super to see the Painted Bunting (m,f) population doing well at the park. Also: Tricolored Heron , Snowy Egret , Yellow-billed Cuckoo , and Tufted Titmouse .
7/19/24 Harris Neck State Park, GA: The Wood Stork colony seemed to be thriving and the sounds and sights were glorious. (The lighting is difficult however, as the nesting birds are mostly backlit in the morning). Also: Anhinga , Carolina Wren , Cattle Egret , Eastern Towhee , and Northern Cardinal (ad, juv), along with butterflies, dragonflies, and bees.
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