These Purple Gallinules were literally up to their knees in Water Lettuce, a troublesome invasive exotic plant (FWC), earlier this season. The Purple Gallinule “readily accepts weedy conditions brought on by eutrophication and feeds on exotic weeds such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).” (Birds of the World). I’m watching to see […]
There is something irresistible about Black-necked Stilts, so elegant with their uncommonly long pink legs and streamlined torpedo-shaped bodies! 💕 They’ve been enjoying this very shallow, muddy section of the marsh for awhile now, but I haven’t noticed any nests yet. Their nests can be hard to find as they are “usually located on bare […]
These little Black-bellied Whistling Duck babies have just hatched over the past few days! Their very protective parents venture beyond the dense marsh grass to guide the ducklings out into a more open space right next to the boardwalk!
People often mistakenly think this bird above is a Red-headed Woodpecker, because – after all – he does have a red head. Since woodpeckers are most often spotted on trees, facing a trunk or branch, we can’t always see their bellies – but look at this guy showing off his gorgeous red breast feathers! Clearly, […]
For several years now we’ve had a large active Red-shouldered Hawk nest in our local wetlands. This fierce-looking fellow is one of the two juveniles hatched earlier this spring. “When about 5–6 wk old, young begin climbing out on branches away from nest.” (Birds of the World) The week I took this photo, the juveniles […]
This beautiful iridescent bird is one of my favorites, and its colors really popped as I walked by on a recent sunny day! “Clearly the most colorful of our rails, the Purple Gallinule is among the most gaudy breeding birds in North America.” (Birds of the World) [Personally, I don’t think ‘gaudy’ is the best […]
When I visited Orlando Wetlands a couple of months ago, the Sandhill Crane parents were busy sitting on a nest. And now look at how big their adorable colts are getting!! The little ones are amazingly mobile not long after hatching. “Their down dries 2 to 3 hours after hatching, by which time their eyes […]
After a 3-4 week incubation period, the Great Egret eggs hatch – they look a lot like Muppets at the age of one week! 😅 Protective mom (or dad) stands nearby to keep watch and care for the hatchlings. “Both parents feed young, by regurgitation (see youngster chowing down in the photo below). … … […]
We definitely had chillier weather here in Southeast Florida during February! It was actually under 50° F on one of my morning walks! 🥶 😅 Everyone was bundled up, including this Tri-colored Heron, snug in his winter overcoat!
Birder's Journey 