This Great Egret was one of about a dozen foraging in the shallow marsh on this particular morning. Such a joy to see so many of these beauties together! In no time at all, this Egret met with success and plucked a plump fish out of the water. Then the negotiations began. It can be […]
Author Archives: Birder's Journey
Ruffling the feathers can be another sign of breeding season.💕 Off to work – busy time of year! For lots of awesome GBH Nesting facts, see Cornell’s Bird Cam FAQ’s!!
Boat-tailed Grackles are among the most commonly seen birds in the wetlands, but the lovely brown females are very often overlooked, while their flashy (and boisterous!) male counterparts demand our attention. The hardworking female Grackle builds her nest by herself in the low recesses of the grassy marsh plants, and she does a great job […]
I recently read an informative article (see this link at Florida Audubon) with a unique perspective on the Tricolored Heron’s ‘multi-colored’ appearance. Here’s an excerpt: The Tricolored Heron Has More Than Three Colors, “Multicolored Heron” might be a more accurate name for this small wading bird, formerly known as the Louisiana Heron. Their plumage changes […]
I’m always so happy to see a Gray Catbird! They’re frequently heard but not seen as their dark colors blend in with the shadows of their habitat. “Rather plain but with lots of personality, the Gray Catbird often hides in the shrubbery, making an odd variety of musical and harsh sounds,” (Audubon.org). A dark gray […]
I’ve only seen the species a few times over the years, but this quiet fellow can be seen at our local wetlands in virtually the same spot nearly every day lately. The Wilson’s Snipe favors wet habitats such as marshes, pond edges, flooded meadows, and fields, foraging in the mud for prey such as insects, […]
“Among the most elegant of the herons, the slender Snowy Egret sets off immaculate white plumage with black legs and brilliant yellow feet.” (All About Birds). I’ve always loved the graceful mannerisms of the Snowy Egret, a species that was nearly decimated in the early 1900’s during the notorious plume trade, when an ounce of their […]
From a distance, I initially thought this was an Osprey – they’re always sitting on top of power poles like this. But, what a special moment when I realized it was actually a magnificent Peregrine Falcon! I’ve seen Peregrine Falcons only a couple of other times and never this close up . . . I […]
This American Alligator was one of 15 or 20 that I spotted lounging along the banks of the waterways of Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive the other day. “American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. They can grow to be more than 12 feet (3.6 meters) in length and weigh as much […]
Sandhill Cranes are very large non-migratory birds that “breed and forage in open prairies, grasslands, and wetlands” (All About Birds, Florida FWC). Monogamous breeders, they are known for their unique mating dances! (listen on Bird Note and watch this Bird Note video (especially after 45 sec. or so). On a recent walk, I heard this […]
Birder's Journey 