Jan. 27, 2026
Yesterday we were out doing our thing when Vic noticed this bird and couldn’t identify it right away so we knew it was something special. It’s a Merlin, a kind of hawk.
We’ve only ever seen one before at Lake Apopka (Fl).
The lighting wasn’t very good for this pair but I wanted to show you the size differential. Also notice the female’s beak is much more pronounced.
This one is much prettier. It’s all about the lighting.
Such a funny pose.
Stay safe everyone! XO
Jan. 24, 2026
Get ready to be stunned!!!
Yesterday afternoon we were watching the Great Horned Owl nest. I noticed the male on the ground sitting in a fire ring of all places. He became aware of us and flew up to a dead palm tree. The sun was thinking about going down and look at the lighting!
What an afternoon! We giggled like little kids all the way home reveling in our good fortune.
A friend in the campground here shared a drone photo of the Three Lakes hunt camp. I figure some of you are curious so I’m including the photo- taken well before we got here. Imagine 3X as many campers and then you’ll have a visual of where we are.
Stay safe, especially all of you in the path of this monster storm.
XO
Jan. 22, 2026
Yesterday afternoon we were watching the Great Horned Owl nest, observing the female on the nest. The nest is in a live oak tree on property owned by the Overstreet family with no trespassing signs. We can see the nest from the roadside but only because of our long lens. We could hear the male owl hooting so I walked around a little and saw it!! It was backlit so Vic walked around the other way where the light was much better. He had a better angle than I did so these are his (amazing) shots.
His expression says what do you think you are doing, out!
She came off the nest to meet him for the food handoff. We didn’t see the hand off like we could a few days earlier.
This bird is also called butcher bird because he impales his prey in order to eat it.
That’s all for today!
Stay safe XO
Jan. 20, 2026
I really really hope you aren’t getting sick of eagle pictures. Is that even possible lol? We have some beauties to share today.
These were all taken on Joe Overstreet where there is a nest but hidden behind foliage and Spanish moss. They do a lot of flying around gathering food so we get our pictures then.
It takes about five years for a bald eagle to attain its fully developed feather colors.
Stay safe!
XO
Jan. 18, 2026
This is Vic’s money shot.
I do believe this is our best eagle shot, ever.
Stay Safe!
XO
Jan. 18, 2026
Continuing with the Eagle nest …
Yesterday: While we watched an immature eagle appeared. The eagle parents immediately took steps to run the intruder off.
It’s hard to convey the drama with a static picture.
Today, we saw the parents flying in and out taking turns bringing food to the nest.
Our friend Tom and his wife Beth were at the nest this morning.
Great day of birding!
XO
Jan. 16, 2026
This morning it was very cold, the low overnight was 20 degrees. We all bundled up and went out to the eagle nest our friend Tom told us about.
Tom showed up to join us with his wife and friends Vinnie and Cathy. Tom and Vinnie have been friends for 50 years, how cool is that?
Now, for perspective, here’s the nest with my iPhone.
There are so many photos we are making a few posts.
XO
Jan. 16, 2026
This afternoon we went to see the Great Horned Owl nest on Joe Overstreet. OMG people you will not believe these pictures. Remember these birds are tucked back in a tree dripping with Spanish moss so they are hard to see and it’s dark. Most of the time we couldn’t clearly see what was going on but we knew something was happening because they were moving around. You wouldn’t believe the work Vic does to bring out the detail and colors. The technical term for this is called spray and pray haha.
Like the eagles, the females are bigger.
Male on left brought the meal. Female left the nest and came to the male to get it. Then she brought it back to the nest. The male did not go near the nest.
We had a blast this afternoon taking these pictures. Hope you enjoyed the show.
Stay safe everyone! XO
Jan. 15, 2026
These two shots got accidentally off the last post.
This is Vic’s Osprey. He knows I will not take any more Osprey pictures, I that tired of them. For him, here it is.
This is my Pelican.
We have some eagles to show you.
This is a sleepy eyed Great Horned Owl.
More to follow!
XO
Jan. 14, 2026
Another day of hard work behind the lens! Also praise to the editor 🥰.
We’ve been looking for Caracara and finally found some! They are vultures yes, but beautiful vultures. They will eat carrion but today it was just a plant.
We see eagles every day and it never gets old. We think you’ll like these two.
Vic was lucky enough to get this Kingfisher.
Lastly, here is the Great Horned Owl shot of the day.
I don’t know how we will ever leave this place. There is so much to see.
Stay safe! XO
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