Birds in the Air at Bourlay Historic Nature Park in Leesburg, FL

Osprey

When I was taking photographs of the Purple Gallinule and the American Alligator the other day at the lovely little nature park in Leesburg, Florida, I saw a trio of Little Blue Herons.  One was an adult in the typical purple-blue coloring of breeding season, one of the Little Blue Herons was a transitional older juvenile in the process of turning blue, and the last was the juvenile in white phase, which was the youngest of all three of the birds.

I also spotted four Osprey, a Great Egret, a few Anhingas, and a few small songbirds like Red-winged Blackbirds, and Common Grackles while I was at Bourlay Nature Park.  This park has a short hiking trail along Lake Griffin and a small wooden pier for bird watching.  There also seems to be a kayak landing area and a nature talk sitting area.  There is a small parking lot and restrooms as well.  This park is just about a half mile or so East of Highway 441 on Canal Street.  I enjoyed about a half-hour there as it was at dusk and there were Alligators in the area.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

Osprey

Little Blue Herons

Anhingas

 

Great Egret

Osprey

Anhinga

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Birds Ducks and Waterfowl at Paradise Park

Osprey

Please click on each thumbnail image of wildlife at Lake Paradise in The Villages, Florida, to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  I took these photos a few days ago.  Enjoy!

Drake Mallard Ducks

Great Blue Heron

Double-crested Cormorant

Wordless Wednesday: Osprey

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

Big Birds at the El Santiago Pond in The Villages, FL

Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Wood Storks, Anhingas, Little Blue Herons, Trio-colored Herons, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Double-crested Cormorants, Sandhill Cranes, Mottled Ducks, Muscovy Ducks, Mallard Ducks and Black-bellied Whistling Ducks all have been spotted at the lovely pond at the El Santiago Golf Course in The Villages, Fl this year.

I often can spot several larger birds here and am usually rewarded with good sightings.  There is easy access to the pond from Enrique Drive or the recreation center’s parking lot.  By the way, the Bald Eagles sometimes perch on the electric line towers both on the golf course and just down the street.  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

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

Wordless Wednesday: Osprey

Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the photo.  I have taken these pictures in the last two weeks here in The Villages, FL.  Enjoy!