The Kestrel suddenly appeared on a high tree over the marsh as I walked at the refuge this morning – what a lovely surprise! According to Florida Fish & Wildlife, the Southeastern American Kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus) is a permanent resident of Florida, whereas the common American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) that is found throughout the northern states is a winter migrant […]
Monthly Archives: September 2016
There is something very exciting about watching a mama American Alligator guarding her nest for weeks all summer long, and then finally seeing these tiny creatures emerge in the fall! These 2 week old baby gators are no more than about 8-10 inches long. What a treat to watch the babies clamber all over one another and the […]
How delightful that the “thin, squeaky call notes” of the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher give away its presence – otherwise, it would be almost impossible to spot this tiny bird! (National Audubon Society Pocket Guide of Songbirds & Familiar Backyard Birds – East).This morning I heard that distinct nasal, wheezy buzzing in the trees all around me. […]
I spotted these two Limpkins the other evening as they emerged from the reeds along the water’s edge with an Apple Snail, a favorite treat. The juvenile waited patiently as its parent expertly extracted the Apple Snail from its shell. “The Limpkin’s bill is uniquely adapted to foraging on apple snails. The closed bill has a gap just before the tip […]
These protective Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were whistling up a storm and making quite a scene this morning as we strolled along the boardwalk. We soon realized what all the commotion was about. . . Mama and her fuzzy little “bumblebee” ducklings were out and about, a time for all the grown-ups to keep a close watch […]
A short visual tribute to three of my favorite (and some of our most common) wetland birds . . . . These herons are here with us all year round, and keep us smiling no matter what the weather. Despite the summer heat, they always seem to find relief from the high temperatures in refreshing pools, […]
Birder's Journey 