Wildlife at Paradise Lake in The Villages, FL

Snowy Egret

A trio of Florida Mottled Ducks, a Wood Stork with a Great Egret, and a hunting Snowy Egret were all spotted at the lovely Lake Paradise in The Villages, Florida.  I spotted these at Boone Park and at Schwartz Park, which is right around the corner basically, from Boone Park.  Both small pocket parks have a nice viewing area and the water at Boone has filled in nicely after the drought.

This is a neighborhood residential lake with three parks on it.  The larger park of the trio is Paradise Park.  I often go to this lake to watch for larger birds.  I also occasionally spot Sandhill Cranes such as the trio I photographed in flight above the adjacent neighborhood.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  Enjoy!

Sandhill Cranes

Wood Stork and Great Egret

Florida Mottled Ducks

 

A Little Blue Heron Fishes For Dinner

This Little Blue Heron was spotted here in The Villages, Florida at the Santiago golf course pond on Enrique Drive on Saturday evening at about 5:00pm.  I was driving around that area trying to look for the Bald Eagles I sometimes spot there, and came upon the heron while it was fishing for its dinner.

This large pond is right up against the street so when the big wading birds or the ducks are present, it is easy to see them.  This golf course is closed and under maintenance now so the birds are more at ease being there.  The Santiago golf course pond is in a residential area and at the recreation center with parking there for cars and carts.

The Little Blue Herons are around the community but not at every lake or pond.  I would say, I see a Little Blue Heron about every few weeks.  The White Ibis or Great Blue Herons are much more commonly seen here.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Water Birds

Osprey on Enrique Dr. near Golf Course

I took all of these pictures here in The Villages, FL during the past two weeks. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  By the way, the lakes here in The Villages are now full or nearly so!  Hooray!  Enjoy!

Sandhill Crane on CR 466 near Morse Blvd.

 

Anhinga at Freedom Pointe Lake

 

 

 

 

 

Black Bellied Whistling Ducks at Schwartz Park on Lake Paradise

White Ibis at Lake Mira-mar

Wood Stork at Lake Mira-mar

A Great Egret Takes Off

I spotted this Great Egret at Schwartz Park at Paradise Lake in The Villages, Florida back in mid-June 2017.  The Great Egret immediately took off from the shoreline and flew across the lovely lake to the opposite shoreline.

These are such graceful big birds.  I think it is a joy to see them in flight!  By the way, we have had some significant amounts of rain which is refilling our local lakes and ponds.  The lakes here are pretty full now!  It is nice to finally see water under docks.

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

 

Little Blue Herons

Little Blue Heron at Ochlockonee River State Park, Florida

I spotted these Little Blue Herons at the little lake behind Freedom Pointe in The Villages, FL  at a vernal pool in the campground at the Ochlockonee River State Park near St. Mark’s National Wildlife Sanctuary in North-Central Florida, and also at both Schwartz and Boone Parks in The Villages at Lake Paradise (which is now refilling with water).  I saw these beautiful big wading birds within the last month (Schwartz and Boone  herons possibly with Snowy Egrets or juvenile herons, on Wednesday).

The Little Blue Herons start as white juveniles and as they age, they turn a beautiful purple blue with olive-green legs and feet.  They are much more of a blue hue than the similar-looking Reddish Egret.

The Little Blue Herons eat frogs, fish, crawfish, small turtles, baby alligators, ducklings, and occasionally aquatic snails, worms, and larger aquatic insects.  They generally spear their prey with their sharp long bill and then gulp the food down.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Little Blue Heron at Boone Park in The Villages, FL

Little Blue Heron at Schwartz Park in The Villages, FL

 

 

 

Little Blue Heron at Ochlockonee River State Park in Florida

Snowy Egret with Little Blue Heron at Freedom Pointe in The Villages, FL

Little Blue Heron at Freedom Pointe in The Villages, FL

More Photos of Ochlockonee River State Park

Little Blue Heron

I visited the very lovely Ocklockonee River State Park a few weeks ago and spent a wonderful night camping there.  I was thrilled to see three White Tailed Deer, an Osprey, a Little Blue Heron, a Red-headed Woodpecker, several Boat-tailed Grackles, a pair of Mourning Doves, a couple of Brown Thrashers, and a gorgeous little White Squirrel (sorry no photo).

I took these pictures several times in the morning and it was very cloudy and misty out in my early shots that morning.  I am including a couple of shots of just scenery so you can get a sense of the view at this beautiful Florida State Park.  The river is a short walk from the campground area.

This state park is quite close to the St. Mark’s National Wildlife Sanctuary and is probably about twenty-five miles to the Gulf of Mexico.  I enjoyed the park and would return someday for a longer stay.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger picture.  Enjoy!

River Scene

River Scene

White-tailed Deer at a vernal pool

 

River Scene

Osprey

Brown Thrashers

The Lone Wood Stork

I spotted this very placid old Wood Stork standing in the parking lot at the side of Lake Miramar in The Villages, Fl on June 14, 2017.

This beautiful big wading bird is old as evidenced by the very dark horny bill and darker leathery skin on its face and neck.

I have read where some Wood Storks will fly upwards of fifty miles from their nest to obtain food.  I doubt this one flew that far, but it is interesting to hear of that fact.

This Wood Stork may have been in the parking lot expecting to be treated to bread or crackers or corn as some folks still feed the ibis crowd and the ducks.  I have also previously seen Wood Storks eating human-given food in this place.  The bird was evidently attracted by golf carts and cars in the vicinity.  I strongly do not recommend feeding exotic birds (It is against the law in many places including Florida).  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  Enjoy!