From the wildlife areas in Kenansville FL

These are immature eagles.

This one is pretty close to full maturity, notice his white head.
Immature eagle. It looks like a dusting of snow on the feathers doesn’t it?

Eagles get their white heads and white tail feathers at full maturity, around 5 years. They mate for life.

Vic got these shots the day after I was attacked by the Barred Owl. Our friends Mark and Elizabeth came for the day to see all the owls we had found. I was staying in the truck. Do you blame me?

Barred Owls can be dangerous

Having an exciting day. We were trying to get barred owls flying, using a call to get their attention. We got their attention all right. One of them flew at me, passed just inches over my head. That was the warning shot if I had realized. Later he flew right at me again only this time his claws got me. I was lucky he missed my eye. Probably only because the camera was up covering my right eye. Also fortunately little Zoe was in the truck out of harm’s way.

Barred Owl looking so harmless.
Here it comes!
Just before impact
He got me above my hairline in addition to the scratches you see.

The attack shook me up pretty good but I’m OK. Cleaned the scratches and I’m good as new.

We didn’t think they had a nest, never heard any babies but possibly …

Great Horned Owls

We found an owl nest on a topless palm tree tucked away behind a large tree dripping with Spanish moss. The first day we were there it was somewhat cloudy. Vic had to brighten the picture.

See the 2 babies?

The next day we saw one owlet standing up.

Adorable

The parent owl was on the top of an adjacent palm tree.

We watched her/him take flight.

We were lucky to find this owl and her nest. We’ve been wishing for great shots of this bird for a long time.

Three Lakes Wildlife Management 4

These photos are from yesterday afternoon, when we visited Joe Overstreet road again and walked out onto the observation pier. Vic got this gorgeous shot.

Purple Gallinule in flight!!!
Purple Gallinule poking around in the reeds.

Then I saw this red shoulder hawk.

Sitting on a fence post
then he took flight

I also saw a Meadowlark sitting on a fence post, great light, he/she is sitting 20 feet from me singing! Here’s the video I took with my phone. If you enlarge the bird before you play you’ll enjoy it more. Such a pretty and distinctive sound!

Meadowlark song

Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area 3

The wildlife is so plentiful here, we continue to be amazed at the variety.

Eastern Bluebird (mine)
Eurasian Collared Dove (mine)
Meadowlark really belting out his song (mine)
Meadowlark. I was about 20 feet away, it was pretty amazing (mine)
Eagle (mine)
Northern Bobwhite (Vic’s)
Beautiful Tricolor Heron (Vic’s)
Eastern Phoebe with an ant snack. (Vic’s)
Great Blue Heron on a dock (Vic’s)
Great Blue Heron taking flight (Vic’s)

Another day in Paradise, having so much fun taking these pictures.

Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area 2

This morning we rode around the area, mostly up and down Joe Overstreet which is a paved road lined with cattle ranches and sod companies. Joe Overstreet and his family have the biggest cattle ranch and it ends at a boat launch area/10 spot campground/snack bar. You can book an air boat tour there as well.

These photos are all Vic’s. The best lighting was on his side of the road.

Kildeer in flight

I think this Kildeer is a masterpiece.

We’ve gotten this bird before but never in flight.

Eagle
Meadowlark singing his pretty song
Kestrel
Red headed woodpecker (immature). You should see the beat up tree this bird was all, no leaves at all, looks like it will fall over in the next minute.
Loggerhead Shrike (also called butcher bird because of the way it impales its prey to eat it)

These photos were all taken this morning can you believe that?