Somehow I didn’t manage to get any shots of the Black-bellied Whistling Ducklings when they were still fluffy little black and yellow ‘bumblebees’ ☺️ this year. But this week I was delighted to see both the adults and the growing kids – what a treat!
Category Archives: Nature
Last time we traveled to Merritt Island NWR, I went to some of the usual locations where we’ve seen Florida Scrub Jays in the past. I was about to give up when I decided to try one more very likely spot, the Scrub Ridge Trail. I walked half-way around the 1-mile loop without seeing or […]
I just had the pleasure of spending two lovely and serene days at one of my favorite places, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. . . . As always, I found this to be true: “Photo opportunities are available at every turn of the boardwalk trail”~! “Visitors will find a gentle, pristine wilderness that dates back about 600 […]
Mr. and Mrs. Red-winged Blackbird, above, take turns feeding the nestlings, and chasing off intruders. ‘Females build the nests by winding stringy plant material around several close, upright stems and weaving in a platform of coarse, wet vegetation.’ (All About Birds) Sometimes, as shown here, it is remarkable that the nest is sturdy enough to stay […]
Least Bitterns are known for being shy and very well-camouflaged, great at hiding in the marsh. I spotted this Bittern fly in on a recent early July morning, and assumed it would quickly scoot off into the dense foliage. But when I hurried over to get a better look, she just stood there, posing atop […]
My history of previous Purple Gallinule posts seems to show there was more Purple Gallinule activity during the winter and early spring in the past. This year I must not have been paying attention! So happy to see some of these beauties are still popping up in the marsh now and again so I can […]
I was happy to be one of the first visitors out on the boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary the other day. As I walked along in silence, I caught a glimpse of a large bird as it flew through the foliage over the swamp, off to my right. It glided by soundlessly and disappeared into […]
On the top right, petals from the Pond Apple tree fall into the water and make a lovely pink and white display. Bottom right, the graceful, hanging Fireflag blossoms are a favorite snack of the Purple Gallinules. iNaturalist experts confirmed for me that the plant on the left is Kosteletzkya Pentacarpos, or Saltmarsh Mallow, which […]
Just a few scenes from one of our favorite Florida birding spots. Even at this time of year, mid-June, when the birds are more scarce, it’s a great place for a day hike!
Yay…. I think that’s my mom heading this way! I’m starving! We’re still seeing lots of nest activity in our local wetlands, even though it’s mid-June already. This Great Egret youngster looked pretty excited when he saw his parent heading back to the nest. “Both parents feed the young by regurgitation. At the age of […]
