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 […]
Author Archives: Birder's Journey
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 […]
As I’ve mentioned before, healthy Florida Raccoons are regularly out and about in the daytime, unlike their northern counterparts. The curious fellow above was romping in the flowers alongside the trail at Orlando Wetlands. A few weeks ago, I had a different sort of Raccoon experience on the Corkscrew Swamp Boardwalk – see the sequence […]
The mornings and evenings are a bit cooler now, and the days are not nearly as humid anymore. Heading into everyone’s favorite time of year in southeast Florida! The warblers are here, and soon our resident wetland birds will begin the busy months of courting and nesting☀️
It was our local naturalist who spotted this beautiful young hawk first, when he flew right in over our heads. She was quite sure it was a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, and I thought so, too. See what you think when you view the photos of the Immature Cooper’s Hawks at All About Birds Cooper Hawk […]
It appears that some of the Great Blue Herons are preparing for the new nesting season already. Fun to see them on this very overcast morning. I was a bit surprised to even observe this common mating display, stretching his neck skyward. Hope he finds a girlfriend ♥️! Glad I saw these GBH’s that morning, […]
Strolling along this boardwalk path at Corkscrew Swamp, surrounded by the abundant Southeastern Sunflowers, was a highlight of the morning – What a DELIGHT! 🌻🌻🌻🌻
As I stepped out of my car at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge recently, this Red-shouldered Hawk zipped by at eye level out of nowhere, and quickly disappeared into the trees lining the road. At first he stayed hidden, but then he emerged cautiously, peering out as if to get his bearings. The eBird entry […]
This Limpkin sat clicking away on the railing for a very long time. Only after several minutes did I notice that he appeared to be trying to get the attention of this other Limpkin strolling casually below! But despite his best efforts, he was getting no response She (?) just did NOT seem impressed! 😅 […]
“Every day I walk out into the world / to be dazzled, then to be reflective.” (excerpt from Long Afternoon at the Edge of Little Sister Pond, by Mary Oliver, Owls and Other Fantasies, 2003)
Birder's Journey 