"Dogging" in Pueblo

Bill and I went to the Pueblo Reservoir Park to do some birding - but we felt more like we were "dogging." The Prairie Dogs were everywhere! Yes, they are cute. The park has been affected by the drought with ugly brown grass and dying trees. The water levels are as low as I've ever seen them.

We are not sure what the next rodents are - they looked like squirrels on steroids.

Finally some birds!

This is a young Mockingbird. He still has spots on his chest.

We can always count on the park for Western Kingbirds with their beautiful yellow breasts.

I've decided this is a Say's Phoebe.

I was surprised to see a Killdeer splashing in the water near the dam. It was far out so the picture quality is poor - but the double ring on the neck definitely means it's a Killdeer.

We also stopped by the Pueblo City Park where I can usually spot a few Wood Ducks. I believe these are late eclipse males. All of their beautiful colors will return in the fall.

Back home, it was a beautiful pre-fall evening so we sat outside and enjoyed all the birds in the yard. We have hummingbirds everywhere, the usual quantity of House Finches and Goldfinches and more than our share of Chickadees. Many birds are starting to form larger flocks - getting ready to head south.

The cute little Black-capped Chickadees are some of our favorites. Bill took this picture of one of our guests enjoying the berries in our bush.

This little guy entertained us for the longest time! As the evening light faded, we watched the Nighthawks in the sky. Yes, I tried to take pictures, but was unsuccessful.

Bill noted that the weather-vane is pointing towards Florida and that maybe it's getting to be time for us to migrate. I could be ready in about an hour.

Unique Birders Trip to Blue Run Park in Dunnellon

Blue Run Park borders the beautiful, crystal clear Rainbow River just down the road in Dunnellon. Melanie Vittiow lead the OTOW birding club along the trails. The day started out clear and brisk but it quickly warmed up as we made our way around the Pond Trail, the Sandhill Loop Trail and back along the Blue Run Trail.

There were several Wood Ducks on the large murky pond. They were pretty far out, but I was able to get a couple of decent pictures. After this optimistic start our sightings quickly went downhill.

I was desperate and even took a picture of a Turkey Vulture. How can a bird that is so ugly look so beautiful in the air?

We were towards the end of the Blue Run Trail when we spotted a bush with activity. Starved for a sighting, we gingerly stepped a couple of feet onto private camping property despite the warnings that "Police will Notice" signs. There were several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers that flit around so quickly, it's almost impossible to get a decent picture. This one is good enough for identification.

Another picture that's good enough for identification - and nothing else. This is a Black and White Warbler - one of my favorite little birds. He was socializing with the Gnatcatchers.

This bird was overhead as we headed back to the parking lot. I am not sure what it is but suspect it's a first-winter Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Another unidentified bird. I think it's a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Where's Norm when I need him?

The sighting of the day was a pair of magnificent Piliated Woodpeckers. We had to go into the thick brush to get a good view - and got covered with prickly tags - but it was worth it!

One of our eagle-eyed spotters pointed out this small tree frog. Cute.

After our hike we headed to Gruffs (with a "G" not a "C") for lunch. This is a great group and Bill and I really enjoyed ourselves! Next month is the annual Christmas Bird Count.

Whooping Cranes, Flamingos and More!

Around the time I was born, there were fewer than 15 Whooping Cranes in existence. 60 plus years of extensive efforts have raised that number to over 400; 200 - 250 in the wild and another 200 in captivity. On Wednesday, Bill and I were fortunate to see 2 of the 400.

Whooping Cranes are huge birds - standing about 5 feet tall with a wingspan of almost 8 feet. They look like Sandhill Cranes, except they are white with red forehead and cheeks.

A small population of Whooping Cranes lives year around on the Kissimmee Prairie near the Disney complex in central Florida and others winter south of Tallahassee.

Another group is being established on the Gulf coast just west of Ocala at the Crystal River Preserve State Park north of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The story about how they are being re-introduced is amazing: http://www.operationmigration.org/index.html

Bill and I visited the park in Homosassa where two of the birds who were injured during migration now live.

The park is a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned manatees but they have all kinds of critters living in and around the preserve. Most are free to come and go, while others, like the Whooping Cranes, live in natural - but protected - settings and cannot be released back into the wild because of permanent disabilities. Many of these permanent residents freely co-habituate and breed with their wild counterparts. Main-streaming at its finest!

Here in the U.S., other than an occasional sighting in the Everglades or Key West, flamingos are usually only seen in zoos. The preserve at Homosassa Springs had quite a few - and boy are they beautiful!!

Their red-pink color comes from the pink Gulf shrimp that is their principle food.

They live and nest around the lake that is the centerpiece of the visitors area of the property. There are natural springs with water bubbling up from the ground at a constant 72 degrees - the headwaters of the Homosassa River. Most of the birds here come and go and I saw nothing that kept the Flamingos from leaving as well.

Look at those wings! The black is not visible except in flight - or when they stretch.

The breeding plumage on this Great Egret was stunning! It looks like the Mute Swan was impressed.

Two Bald Eagles live in the park. Both are unable to fly. So sad - but it's nice that people can see them. There were a few cages for the protection of certain animals like the Florida Panthers, Key Deer and Black Bears - but mostly just fences along the boardwalk.

I was thrilled to see this Crested Caracara as I've never seen one before.

Isn't he wonderful?

High in the trees, there were all sorts of nests. These Anhinga are raising their chicks right there in the park - alongside the water.

Mr. Red Fox was getting ready to take a nap.

All of the birds and animals - including this magnificent Red-tailed Hawk - are native to Florida.

Well, all but the hippo. This is Lucifer. Apparently he was left over after the State of Florida purchased the land from an exotic animal park. The plan was to convert it to a wildlife preserve with only native Florida birds and animals. Area school children petitioned the state for "Luc" - a former movie star - to stay. Since all of the animals had to be Florida residents, the Florida legislature made Lucifer an honorary Florida citizen. At 46, he is the oldest resident.

We saw several Sandhill Cranes.

The Mute Swans are beautiful.

There was a large family of White Pelicans.

I was curious about the growth on the beaks of some of the adults and learned that during mating season the male develops this fibrous plate on the upper part of the beak. I have no clue if it has a purpose.

This guy wanted to show me the black on his wings. He flew to the other side of the lake to join the ladies.

You might have to click on this picture for a larger image to see the Wood Ducks in the trees. Wood Ducks nest in trees and once all the eggs have hatched, the little birds have to jump down. Not all of them make it.

It's always nice to see a father bonding with his children.

I saw Wood Ducks in Colorado, but this is the first I've seen them in Florida.

This picture shows the beautiful setting. The boardwalk is in the background and Pelican Island is in the middle of the small lake.

The Brown Pelicans were nesting - sitting on their eggs. Too cool!

Bill and I will definitely go back - and if you come for a visit, this might just be a "must" day trip.

Wood Duck

I had the BEST birthday! Bill and I went down to Pueblo and found a pond with the most beautiful ducks I have ever seen - Wood Ducks.

I took hundreds of pictures and it was difficult picking just a few to publish. Enjoy!

This is the female Wood Duck - also a beautiful bird.

Just look at those colors! We were there late in the day as the sun was going down.



The reflections on the water are almost as pretty as the duck.







Great ducks - great day! Life is good.