Wood Storks

Wood Storks are seen here in The Villages, FL every now and then.  They fly together in small flocks and stay for several days.  These larger wading birds eat grains, small fish, frogs, small tender turtles, small alligators, and aquatic snails.

We have had minor flooding here and I spotted a pair of these Wood Storks strolling down flooded Kim Street at Boone Park on Lake Paradise earlier this evening.  The storks were accompanied by a Great Egret, a Little Blue Heron and several Mottled Ducks.  The other stork was spotted in the parking lot at the flooded Lake Mira-mar in The Villages.  I had to take several of the pictures from quite a distance because of the flooded Boone Park and Kim Street areas (the other bird, which was at Lake Mira-mar, was quite close to our golf cart).  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

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Ibises at Flooded Lakes

These White Ibises were perching in low oak trees at the side of flooded Lake Mira-mar in The Villages, FL and walking around in the lake-side parking area at that same little lake.

I also saw several White Ibis walking on the grass between parts of the  flooded Boone Park on Lake Paradise also in The Villages, FL that are separated by a now flooded street.  Both lakes are still full but yes, the water is down a little.  It sure is weird seeing waterfowl and wading birds paddling and walking along through the flood water on a neighborhood street!  Those areas are pretty much off-limits so I was careful to stay where it was safe and easy to walk around.

I think the bird population is probably half what it was before Hurricane Irma here.  Just an un-scientific guess on my part. I think most fled and flew elsewhere.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Bald Eagles

This pair of Southern Bald Eagles was spotted on Enrique Drive in The Villages, FL on Tues. night at twilight.  We had been out after arriving home from our hurricane evacuation.  This pair of eagles was perched on the electric tower and was probably spotting all sorts of prey in the flooded golf course pond area at the El Santiago Golf Course.  The weather had been fairly cool so perching on the tower was not unpleasantly hot as it sometimes is for these eagles.  Good to see the birds in good condition after the hurricane!  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

 

The Calm Before That Storm!

A Squadron of Mottled Ducks sails on the Freedom Pointe Lake

Egrets, Egyptian Geese, Canada Geese, Herons and Mottled Ducks were all spotted here in The Villages, FL on the lake at Freedom Pointe and on the street parkway on Buena Vista Blvd. last week.  I so enjoy getting out an about to spot and watch the birds here.  We often see these exotic birds!  It is amazing.

I have been working on hurricane preparations as we expect to see some type of tropical storm force or hurricane force winds here on Sunday and Monday.  We don’t have a firm track for the hurricane so I cannot say how bad it should be but I think we will be better off here inland as we are 60 miles from both coastlines.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Please understand if I don’t post on Monday – perhaps we will have power but likely not.  Thanks.

A Great Egret Hunts in the Shrubbery on Buena Vista Blvd.

White Ibis, Egyptian Goose, Canada Goose and Great Blue Heron

A Great Egret Roosts at Freedom Pointe

Wordless and Wild Waterfowl Wednesday

Muscovy Duck at Paradise Lake, The Villages, FL

Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Florida Mottled Duck, Lake Paradise, The Villages FL

Florida Mottled Ducks on Lake Paradise, The Villages, FL

Younger and Old Wood Storks

Wood Stork at Paradise Lake on 8/6/17

Wood Storks have been spotted here in The Villages, FL at several small park and golf course lakes.  I have seen these amazing big birds at Lake Mira-mar near Spanish Springs; at the Lago El Santiago (Santiago Golf Pond on Enrique Dr.); and also at Paradise Lake at Paradise Park, and also at Boone Park.  Happily to note, Paradise Lake is full of water!  Hooray!  The birds are enjoying it and for the first time in nearly a year, the ornamental waterfalls have been once again turned on!

The younger Wood Storks have a brighter and lighter bill and look a lot less weathered and aged.  Old Wood Storks have a huge craggy darker bill – nearly a light charcoal grey.  Wood Storks are on the “Threatened” list of birds here in the United States.  A few years ago, these birds were considered as “Endangered”.  I enjoy watching these unusual-looking exotic wild birds and are always on the look-out for them.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the image.  Enjoy!

Wood Storks at Paradise Lake on 8/6/17

Wood Stork at Lake Mira-mar, 8/3/17

Wood Stork at Lago El Santiago, 8/2/17

Happiness is a Bluebird in the Yard

Happily, this female Eastern Bluebird decided my front yard Magnolia Tree was a great place to perch and rest the other day.  We have been having very rainy weather recently after having experienced a long period of drought.

The Eastern Bluebird is a great insect hunter!  I am glad to have these beautiful small songbirds around.  They like just about any insect or worm they can find. By the way, this lovely bird really blended-in with the green and rust coloration of the Magnolia.  Nature’s camouflage.  The male Eastern Bluebird has a much brighter tone to its color.  I did not see the male on this occasion.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!