Blue Heron Nest

We've been checking on the Great Blue Heron nest in Shalom Park every couple of days. Today we were greeted with 4 rather large - but still fuzzy - baby herons.

There are two adults in attendance - and at least one more adult in another nest in the adjoining tree.

Cute, aren't they?

Birding in Shalom Park

 Another beautiful sunny day means another nice walk in the park - this time Shalom Park adjacent to On Top Of the World (OTOW). We were greeted with the sounds of birds everywhere and butterflies flitting among the flowers and bushes.

We usually hear the Carolina Wrens loud song - but only occasionally do we actually see one. They are small jittery birds that blend in with their surroundings. I was just lucky today.

I love this picture - the bright red Cardinal against the muted colors in the background. The mature trees in the park are wonderful with lots of hanging moss.

Another bird that prefers camouflage; this Eastern Phoebe is hiding in the tree.

She may have tried to hide, but this female Cardinal stands out almost as much as her mate.

She finally gave up and came out to pose for me. I think the females are every bit as beautiful as the males.

This shot of a Red-bellied Woodpecker really shows the beautiful pattern on his back and wings.

Yesterday I had a picture of another Yellow-rumped Warbler that showed the bright yellow patch on his back. Today's picture shows the yellow spot on his side.

One of my favorites: a Tufted Titmouse. It's not hard to see how he got his name.

This is one of two Great Blue Heron nests in Shalom Park - both in the same tree. We've been watching them for a couple of weeks. The eggs have hatched and when we look through the binoculars we can see little white heads popping up. We'll check back every couple of days.

LaChua Trail - Paynes Prairie

Bill and I decided that New Years Day was a perfect day for a walk through Paynes Prairie- and apparently, we were not alone in our thinking as the parking area was so full, we thought there must be an event going on! The wildlife all got the message too as they were out in force!

The Alligators were lined up on the banks - big ones, small ones and some HUGE ones. We expected to run into the Swamp People! Chut-em Liz'bit!

Yummy - lunch! This Anhinga swam to the bank where he beat the catfish on a log - and ate it.

Ms. Cardinal was playing peek-a-boo through the reeds.

Yuk! I can feel the stings just looking at them!

A Great Blue Heron was on an island waiting for something to happen. Notice the much, much smaller Green Heron in front of him

As I looked away to take a picture of an immature Black-crowned Night Heron...

I heard a ruckus and looked to see the heron with what looks like a HUGE salamander. 

The heron was jumping and flapping his wings.

Another Yuk! We watched for awhile but couldn't decide whether he ate it or just killed it. Anyone know what it is??

An adult Black-crowned Night Heron looked on - obviously bored by the whole thing.

I did not expect to see a Forster's Tern so far inland.

He was flying rapidly around before diving straight into the water - over and over.

He finally got tired and landed for me to take a better picture.

We couldn't believe the size of this alligator - probably over 10 feet - and he was sitting along the side of the path where we were all walking. We passed within 5 feet of it - as did mother's with strollers, small children and a VERY excited gentleman jumping up and down yelling in some foreign language. I don't think he'd ever seen an alligator before. Bill offered to take his picture while he sat on his back - but he declined.

A Green Heron waiting patiently for lunch. He stood very still until a very territorial heron scared him away.

The wind was fluffing the feathers of this magnificent Snowy Egret. Check out his yellow feet!

An immature White Ibis. They are brown their first year.

The pied-billed Grebes look like playful duck children.

I love this shot! He looks like he got caught eating the cookies!

Another immature White Ibis.

We saw so many American Bitterns on this walk that Bill was calling them "trash birds" by the end.

American Bitterns are slow-moving birds and the stripes on their neck act as camouflage in the reeds.

Bill says I take too many pictures of the Tricolor Herons - but I like them!

I know this is a Song Sparrow because of the central spot on his streaked breast.

This is the last American Bittern picture.

Butterflies and flowers in January. I love Florida!

This Red-shouldered Hawk was in the distance and reused to turn around - but the picture shows his pretty coloring.

Is it just my imagination, or am I being watched? This Common Buckeye was sitting on the path.

Last but not least is this beautiful Great Blue Heron. Nice walk and a wonderful start to the new year.

Metro Parkway - Again!

My sister Beth arrived on Thursday and we couldn't wait to take her to the new birding place we recently discovered. She barely had time to change into her shorts before Bill was explaining the "here after." She didn't want to be "here after we were gone" so she was quick!

It was a beautiful afternoon and the birds were everywhere!

Osprey

We don't see as many Osprey in Ocala, so it's nice to see so many here in Fort Myers. This one was searching the water below for fish.

He kept circling back and forth,

and then seemed to stop mid-air,

before taking a drastic turn downwards,

plunging into the water,

and grabbing a fish.

Off he went with his prize!

Roseate Spoonbill

The Roseate Spoonbills are such a treat!

White Pelican

Isn't it time for the White Pelicans to head north? They DO fly north, don't they?

Wood Stork

I wonder if the Wood Stork likes his reflection.

Lesser Yellowlegs

When we were at Harns Marsh, I saw what I decided was a Greater Yellowlegs. When I saw this one I assumed it was the same - but after looking at the pictures more closely, I think it's a Juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs. Feel free to correct me.

Black-necked Stilt

Another Black-necked Stilt. This was a new life bird for my sister.

Anhinga drying his wings

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

 Beautiful, just beautiful.

Least Sandpiper

This is a great birding spot and since it's so close, I'm sure we'll stop again. (and again...)