Author Archives: Birder's Journey
The very lovely Gray Catbird is capable of copying the sounds of other species, like its relatives the mockingbirds and thrashers. But the Catbird’s name clearly reflects its uniquely “distinctive mew call” (All About Birds). Watch and listen to the feisty little Gray Catbird below, chasing off a Bluejay at the Cornell Lab Of Ornithology!
A few weeks ago I spotted this beautiful Wilson’s Snipe above. Despite being out in the open, he could be easily overlooked as his plumage blended in with the dry brown marsh grass. Yesterday I discovered another Wilson’s Snipe making his way through the shallow water at a different preserve, equally well camouflaged among the […]
Endlessly having fun . . . 1. Chase away competitors, 2. make a quick landing and grab a bite to eat, 3. take off . . . . . . and Repeat!
The stately Sandhill Cranes, year-round residents throughout Florida, are called ‘iconic members of the Florida ecosystem’ by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Below is a Florida Sandhill Crane distribution map from the University of Florida IFAS Extension illustrating the species’ broad range throughout North America, including its widespread presence in Florida. The Cranes […]
I recently spent an overcast morning at Orlando Wetlands, one of my favorite birding spots . . . Despite the clouds, it was still as lovely as ever~! A new half-mile long curving boardwalk was completed last winter, taking visitors across one of the lakes and providing previously inaccessible views of the marsh and cypress […]
You never know when you’ll be lucky enough to spot a Florida Scrub Jay. When I was at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon, I hoped to catch a glimpse of one. Imagine my delight when two Scrub Jays appeared just as I walked along the trail. They entertained me for 10 minutes, flying […]
A Painting Bunting couple enjoying breakfast in the morning shade.
These charming little Atala caterpillars are part of a wonderful success story! The Atala butterfly was abundant in Florida in the late 1800’s, when its native host, the Coontie, was a prolific starchy food plant widely used by the Seminoles. With the arrival of settlers in the region, the Coontie eventually became severely over-harvested in […]
I never really thought of Anhingas as soft and cuddly . . . till I saw this one this morning 😌
Birder's Journey 