These Purple Gallinules were literally up to their knees in Water Lettuce, a troublesome invasive exotic plant (FWC), earlier this season. The Purple Gallinule “readily accepts weedy conditions brought on by eutrophication and feeds on exotic weeds such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).” (Birds of the World). I’m watching to see […]
Tag Archives: wildlife
These little Black-bellied Whistling Duck babies have just hatched over the past few days! Their very protective parents venture beyond the dense marsh grass to guide the ducklings out into a more open space right next to the boardwalk!
People often mistakenly think this bird above is a Red-headed Woodpecker, because – after all – he does have a red head. Since woodpeckers are most often spotted on trees, facing a trunk or branch, we can’t always see their bellies – but look at this guy showing off his gorgeous red breast feathers! Clearly, […]
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 […]
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!
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 […]
Actually, according to Bird Fact and others, there are several collective nouns for a group of White Pelicans, including “a squadron, pod, pouch or scoop of pelicans” (and ‘parade’ is not one of them 😉). I was fortunate to witness MANY groups of White Pelicans last week at Merritt Island NWR! They are so fun to […]
Nothing like the intensity of the Green Heron when he’s scouring the marsh for a tasty bite. Named the 2015 Bird of the Year by the ABA, the Green Heron is the second smallest of the North American herons. Green Herons are expressive and photogenic and they are also quite skilled as contortionists, especially when […]
Birder's Journey 