These were taken around here over the past few days.
CatbirdEastern KingbirdCara CaraSolitary SandpiperSpotted SandpiperCara Cara and Vultures picking over the remainsGreat Crested FlycatcherEverybody’s favorite Alligator
Birding at the Landing has slowed down so we are having to look harder.
We got a second hand golf cart and had a guy here in the campground put a lithium battery in it. We are only a mile from the Landing so we can go there in the golf cart – very fun!
It’s very overcast today. Rain was promised but we only got sprinkles. It did rain last night. So when Vic said he wanted to ride over to Joe Overstreet I asked what he thought we’d see. I did not expect to see much besides wet birds. Haha. I am pleased to tell you we did see a couple of fun animals.
Fox Squirrels
Their heads remind you of the features of a fox.
Whenever we drive by the farm where these squirrels live we slow down and look, hoping to see them. Today we got lucky.
On this same homestead there are several pine trees near the road and some dead trees ideal for woodpeckers.
Red headed woodpecker
These woodpeckers are striking with their crimson red heads.
These shots from March got overlooked. There are several owls living in the wooded area next to the boat launch. Vic used a call to bring them out while I stood in a strategic spot to film them. It was exciting and very fun!
They are adorable aren’t theyBut kind of scary flying right at you
Nobody got hurt or attacked this time. We were very careful!
These are also from our boat ride around Lake Marian this morning. It was a memorable trip.
We saw at least a half dozen snail kites. The first thing I want to show you is the snail kite fight.
You wonder why his mouth is open?He’s yelling at the red wing blackbird to get lost!Snail kite with a snailEagle coming in for landingJuvenile eagle showing how the colors change with maturationForster’s Tern in flightMe, Zoe and Vic
Besides all the dragonflies we managed to capture some bird photos. The funny thing is Vic and I were at the boat launch by ourselves for a couple of hours. Paul had gone into St Cloud and we hadn’t seen or heard from Tom. Bird action was slow and we had decided to call it a day. We were just starting to load our stuff into the truck when Tom arrived. So we stayed and would you believe all kinds of birds showed up. You just can never know what will happen next.
Cardinal
Neither of us can resist taking pictures of this bird.
Female Cardinal
Talk about an unusual pose.
Northern Parula
There is a bug in his mouth.
Eagle with talons out, about to grab a fish Black neck Stilt
I always think of Yin and Yang when I see this bird. Taken at the Point here at the resort in late afternoon.
Vic got this bird yesterday while I was walking Zoe at the end of Joe Overstreet where the boat launch is. He thought it was a blackbird at first glance. Turns out it’s a bird we’ve never seen before. Asking around the local photographers we found out it’s been seen briefly and mostly while flying by. So we are very happy to have this shot. The literature says it makes a robotic mechanical type of noise.
Bobolink
The information on this bird also includes that it travels 12,500 miles in a year and over its lifetime will travel a distance equivalent to 3 or 4 times the circumference of earth. Wow
These are my shots of the red shoulder hawk and the snake.
The snake is visible under the left wingAway to eat it in privacyBlack Crowned Night HeronMale Cardinal
I think I include a picture of the male Cardinal almost every day. When one shows up I can’t help but take pictures. It is such a pretty, vibrant bird.
Purple GallinulePurple Gallinule
There is an area of lily pads the gallinules like to hang around in. The leaves are pretty big and provide privacy cover. We can hear them squawking and grumbling around in there but can’t see them unless they come out and walk around on top of the lily pads or leap up to get away from something.