We were back in Clermont last week. We came back because heavy rain was forecast and we’d rather be in Clerbrook than out in a field. The rain happened, 2 solid days of it.
The next day we were outside enjoying blue skies and low 70’s. A red shouldered hawk flew down onto a telephone pole. I got my camera out of the truck and took a couple of pictures. Suddenly another red shouldered hawk flew down right next to the first one! I kept taking pictures. This is what I saw.
Here’s an assortment of birds we captured over the past 10 days or so.
I think the pair of RSH is my only shot in this group. Vic got some awesome captures – my favorite is the Snail Kite.
Apart from the day I was attacked, we got some interesting shots I hope you enjoy.
These are some beautiful birds. I have tremendous respect for their fierceness and will always be very cautious around them from now on. I still think they are gorgeous though.
These are immature eagles.
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?
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.
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 …
Yesterday we were in an area called Prairie Lakes Rd and saw probably 20 eagles. There are eagle nests everywhere. We only got shots of a few but we saw so many.
We were standing around looking at the great horned owl and talking to a Japanese couple (who live in the area) – they told us about some burrowing owls they had seen on a different road. We found them – they burrow under the cattle troughs.
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.
The next day we saw one owlet standing up.
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.
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.
Then I saw this red shoulder hawk.
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!
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