Author Archives: Birder's Journey
The White Ibis is ubiquitous here in Florida, a coastal wading bird that is seen from the Carolinas to Florida and up the Gulf Coast into Texas.Although the White Ibis is mostly found foraging for small crustaceans and amphibians in freshwater marshes, wetlands, and mangrove swamps, this graceful bird is equally at home strolling in urban parks […]
This delicate adult Black-necked Stilt strolls around the shallow pond, keeping an eye on his last remaining chick. As I watched, this little one keep toddling off while his watchful parent kept ‘herding’ him back to a safer space.The Stilts build their nests in what would seem to be the most vulnerable of places, on ‘bare […]
We started our visit to Costa Rica in the southern coastal region near Manuel Antonio National Park (view from our room), after which we travelled north to Lake Arenal, below, where we visited friends.Although we traveled quite extensively in our brief 6-day visit, one of my favorite spots was Arenal Observatory Lodge with its lush, […]
This pair of young Roseate Spoonbills looked quite relaxed as they strolled through the marsh at Merritt Island NWR. These unique pink wading birds use their spatula-shaped bills for foraging in the shallow water, catching their prey by tactolocation.Audubon.org calls Roseate Spoonbills “Gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close.” The young Rosies are distinguished from older […]
We saw and heard many beautiful woodpeckers at Corkscrew Swamp on a recent visit – Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Pileated Woodpeckers, and this beauty above. The vertical white wing patch (along with the yellow belly :-D) is a key distinguishing feature that tells me this is a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Tree trunks lined with ‘distinctive, neatly […]
Learn more, and take a virtual visit to this special place: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
I love the American Bittern – what a curiously unique member of the heron family! This large Bittern has been aptly described as stout, streaked, solitary, and, most definitely, secretive and stealthy. The elusive American Bitterns are often very difficult to spot, but this one was quite accommodating and stayed out in the open for quite some time before he slipped back […]
I spotted these two sweet, young adult Purple Gallinules the other day. . . . more colorful than their younger juvenile peers, but not yet as brilliant as they will be in their full adult colors. See this All ABout Birds comparison for more.
