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 […]
Author Archives: Birder's Journey
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!
. . . These two lovebirds had already found each other, and settled into the perfect home for the season.🌴💚 Watching over the neighborhood.
I followed the gaze of another birder, who was looking across to the far edge of the pond through binoculars. What an awesome treat to discover he’d seen not only one Wood Duck, but two pairs of Wood Ducks on the pond! This was the first day I’d seen the handsome Wood Ducks this year […]
The Great Egret‘s bridal veil aigrettes and vivid green lores are unmistakable markers of courtship season 💚! Love is in the air~😌
As you can see on the All About Birds PG Range Map, “Most of the Purple Gallinules that breed in the U.S. migrate as far as Central America for the winter, but some remain in Florida year-round.” They can also be found year-round throughout much of South America – see more info about this stunning […]
Birder's Journey 