More Birds in the Neighborhood

Eastern Blue Jay

Northern Cardinals, Boat-tailed Grackles, Eastern Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, House Finches, White Ibis, Northern Mockingbirds, and a pair of Brown Thrashers were all spotted here on my street and in a neighboring yard on the next street over in the last week.  Additionally, we have had Eastern Bluebirds, Crows, Chickadees, and Carolina Wrens around.   The finches were rooting around in a lot under construction where a new home is being built.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of that picture.  Enjoy!

Mourning Doves

Female House Finches

Northern Mockingbird

 

Juvenile White Ibis

Male Boat-tailed Grackles

Brown Thrashers

 

Memorial Day

As today is Memorial Day, this brief post is dedicated to the memory of those who died in the service of the country or were seriously wounded.  The families and friends of those servicemen and women suffering casualties, are in my thoughts and prayers.

A Green Heron, Alligator, and Gorgeous Scenery in Dunnellon, FL

A Green Heron in breeding plumage, was spotted perching on a low overhanging tree along the banks of a large freshwater pond in the Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, FL on April 17, 2015.  The pond is next to the Withlacoochie River and has several Alligators in it.

I had spotted a pair of River Otters in this same pond last year.  There is a bike trail on one side of the pond next to the river, and a looping trail around the pond.  It is a short level hike that is fun and scenic.  I have included a picture of the river with Cypress Tree “Knees”.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Colorful Songbirds to Celebrate a Happy Weekend!

American Robin

 

Wishing you and yours a happy weekend, and happy Passover or Easter!  I took these pictures of the colorful birds at various times during the last several months here in my area.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Female Eastern Bluebird

Male Boat-tailed Grackle

Male Northern Cardinal

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Wild Turkey

I saw this hen Wild Turkey strolling alone,  next to the road in an empty horse pasture near Ocala, FL, on November 4, 2014.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Crows vs. A Turkey Vulture

 

All this Turkey Vulture wanted to do was get a quick drink out of the rainfall pond across the street here.  No, the small group of about five crows would not have it.  The crows ganged up on the poor vulture and off all flew.  It sounded like the battle that happens when the crows chase the neighborhood Red-shouldered Hawk!  Lots of noise and commotion.  In the end, the carrion- eating vulture was the loser and has left the area – for how long, we won’t know.  I took these pictures on Sept. 28, 2014.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo.  Enjoy!

A Hawk Cools Off

When you think of hawks, you imagine these strong and majestic birds soaring in the skies or even perched on a stout branch of a tall tree.  Well, it may come as a surprise to some people, but hawks get hot and thirsty and dirty sometimes.  When needing to cool-off from the hot Summer temperatures here in North-Central Florida, hawks sometimes will take a dip in the nearest pond or lake or stream.

I was pretty shocked to find a hawk (I can’t say which kind it is – likely a Red-shouldered Hawk) standing chest deep in the rainfall retention pond along-side the golf course near a main roadway here in our development.  I usually see Ibis or Egrets in that spot but never a wading hawk.  I took these pictures from the open window of my pick-up truck on July 20, 2014.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!  Have an outstanding weekend!

Black Vultures in the Dora Canal

These two Black Vultures were spotted in the mysterious jungle-like Dora Canal area near Lake Eustis in Lake County, Florida.  The Black Vultures live in Florida and in other states along the Gulf of Mexico.  These birds also are found in Mexico, around Central America and all the way down into South America.

Like the other Vultures, these are nature’s clean up squad.  Even though they are buzzards, they are handsome big birds.  I took these pictures during a day-long boat trip around several lakes canals and the Dead River in central Florida on April 25, 2014.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!   Wishing all Moms a happy Mother’s Day on Sunday!

Back Yard Songsters

Eastern Blue Jay

Carolina Chickadee

Northern Mockingbird

Smaller birds have been visiting in my neighborhood recently.  I tok these photographs on Oct. 8, 2013 and again on Oct. 9, 2013.  We are likely seeing the first waves of migrating birds from up North.

I was happy to see a Carolina Chickadee, a Carolina Wren, Eastern Blue Jay, Northern Mockingbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker (one of a pair), and a bright Palm Warbler.  I also have seen a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, and many Tufted Titmice, Common Crows around.  These are all welcomed birds which I happily enjoyed!  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Palm Warbler

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Carolina Wren

A Lone Little Blue Heron

This adult Little Blue Heron was hunting at the small pond near one of the golf courses here in the development where I live.  This is the same pond where I had seen some juvenile Ibises several days ago.  The Little Blue Heron is a smaller heron.  Juveniles are often white but the adults are a purple blue.  Sometimes, juvenile Little Blue Herons will mix-in with adult American White Ibises or with Snowy Egrets.

The Little Blue Heron wades along mostly fresh water or brackish water shores, and eats frogs, tadpoles, turtles, fish, and a variety of aquatic insects.    I took these pictures early in the evening,  on Sept. 16, 2013.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo.  Enjoy!