An Osprey (Sea Hawk or Sea Eagle)

I photographed this Osprey at Lake Paradise in The Villages, FL, from the lovely little Schwartz Park. I took the photographs on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 late in the afternoon.  The bird of prey was trying unsuccessfully to catch a tasty fish for its meal.  The lake is very high right now since we have had a lot of rain recently.  I have been seeing many Canada Geese, the resident Great Blue Heron, a few ducks, a few egrets and Anhingas but this is the first Osprey here in several weeks that I have photographed.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

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The Canada Goslings Growing Up

This flock of Canada goslings was spotted at Boone Park on Lake Paradise in The Villages, FL this afternoon.  I have photographed this bunch before when they were mere yellow fluff-balls!  They sure grow fast.  I believe this group includes goslings from two sets of parents.

there were a whole lot of these birds in the shallow edge of the lake, in the shrubbery, and browsing on the lawn.  These geese eat grasses and seeds primarily.  I know the little ones won’t be little for long as they are already getting the beginnings of feathers instead of down.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  Enjoy!

A Pair of Nesting Great Blue Herons

This pair of Great Blue Herons have established a nest rookery in a large Live Oak Tree, dripping with Spanish Mosses, next to the Arnold Palmer Legends golf course on Buena Vista Blvd. in The Villages, Florida.

The big wading birds had made a couple of nests there in the tree but only one of the nests could easily be seen from the multi-modal golf-cart path.  Herons like many larger birds, try to create a back-up nest in case of disaster.

Both birds flew across the golf course pond in turn and did a little hunting.  I believe the pair may have eggs in this nest since I did not see any chicks.   I want to wish everyone a happy Easter!  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

 

Cormorants, Egrets, Goose, Turtles and Herons!

Double-crested Cormorants and a Seagull

Water birds, wading birds and turtles were all spotted at Freedom Pointe and Paradise Lakes in The Villages, Florida this past weekend.  I am happy that the weather was nice enough to permit a bird watching jaunt both on Friday at dusk and on Saturday afternoon.

The Double-crested Cormorant flock will be flying North in coming days.  I was surprised that this flock did not follow the White Pelicans that left for their migration on Friday morning.  The Great Egret, Snowy Egret, the Cooter Turtles, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron, and what is probably a Try-colored Heron, are all resident birds here in The Villages, Florida.  These birds are mostly meat eaters while the geese love seeds and grasses.  I love getting out and about at the many small ponds and lakes and preserves here!  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Double-crested Cormorant in the Live Oak Tree Roost

Tri-colored Heron

Great Blue Heron and Double-crested Cormorants

 

Double-crested Cormorant, Cooter Turtle and a Canada Goose

Great and Snowy Egrets

Cooter Turtle

White Pelicans Bedding Down

A flock of White Pelicans was spotted tonight at sunset at Freedom Pointe Lake in The Villages, Florida.  This group of birds is about half of the number seen in this area a few weeks ago.  Many of these migratory birds have already left for the Spring and Summer.

This spot on the lake is the favorite place for the White Pelicans and their friends, the Double-crested Cormorants to spend the evening to sleep (the cormorants head to the nearby Oak Trees to roost).  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

 

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Sandhill Cranes

The male surprised me by doing a one hop quick dance to try to impress the female.  It was marvelous to see.  A few moments later, the pair strolled over to the area where there were a big number of ducks and Glossy Ibis feeding.

The birds were seen and photographed very close to Southbound Morse Blvd. near CR 466, here in The Villages, FL on Friday, March 2, 2018 at around 5:00pm.  This pair of cranes enjoys the golf course grass, and proximity to a small freshwater marsh. Please click on each thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of each photo.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Osprey

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