Birding with Beth - Paynes Prairie

On our way to Paynes Prairie we made a brief stop at the University of Florida's Beef Farm to see the Sandhill Cranes that winter there. No, this one isn't missing a leg - it's neatly tucked under. Do you see the Killdeer in the background?

I get a kick out of the cows. They must be very used to the big birds!

On to Paynes Prairie and the LaChua Trail! Every time we visit it is completely different. There was a Bald Eagle on top of the electric towers at the beginning of the trail. Beth said that was a good omen and that we would see lots of birds.

I can't help myself - I just have to take lots of pictures of the Great Blue Herons. They are just so regal.

Naturally, there were many, many alligators sunning themselves on the banks of the river. There were so many on the side of the trail that the park rangers on 4-wheelers herded them back into the water.

The Green Herons were accounted for in numbers. In fact, all of the herons, egrets and ibises were there. We saw Black-crowned Night Herons in the trees across the water - but they were too far away for me to get decent pictures. Maybe Beth got some better shots with her fancy new lens.

The Glossy Ibis aren't very pretty this time of year.

I've only seen a Swamp Sparrow one other time - 3 years ago from the observation platform on the other side of the park. Very cool bird!

The Cardinals are always a treat - no matter how often I see them! I thought this female was especially pretty sitting in the trees.

The Savannah Sparrows were everywhere.

This is the first time I've seen a Ruddy Duck at Paines Prairie. We also saw Green-winged Teal.

Later in the year the lores on this White Egret will turn bright green.

The Snowy Egrets have bright yellow lores, feet and yellow stripes on their legs.

This was a nice surprise - a Common Yellowthroat! I saw one years ago in South Florida, but never got a picture so it didn't count.

The Eastern Phoebes have been especially plentiful this year. I love when they call "fee-bee, fee-bee."

This was the trip of the Sora Rail. I bet we saw five during our 3-mile walk out to the observation platform and back again. We also saw one lone immature Purple Gallinule.

I feel like I take this same picture of a Tricolored Heron every time I visit.

An American Bittern caught my eye peeking out of the grass.

And this was the best treat of the day - and the reason both Beth and I made it all the way out to the observation platform. We saw two King Rails! We heard they had been sighted and we weren't leaving before we saw them for ourselves! Life birds for all three of us!

Our walk back was a little slower than our walk out but we made it. As the Bald Eagle promised - it was a very good day!!

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.