Or…
a one
and a two
and a three
All done.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022
Sandhill Crane Having a Flap
Tag Archives: Birds
Sandhill Crane Family On Walk
The Sandhill Crane family was on a walk when I passed by their marsh area.
The youngster, known as a colt because of their long legs, was curious about his surroundings but didn’t stray far from his parents. I didn’t see any sign that junior had started to fly, which happens around two months of age.
Sandhill Cranes are omnivores, poking around in the swamp and grasses for food.
The parents seemed to be more attentive than when I saw them two days before this.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022
Black-necked Stilt Fly-by
A pair of Black-necked Stilts swooped on by me as I stood on a dike at Orlando Wetlands.
Often described as “stately” due to their color scheme and long legs, they are also elegant flyers.
And fly they did, right on to the other side of this impoundment.
April 10, 2022
Juvenile Sandhill Crane
A young Sandhill Crane was busy looking around in the grass as his parents were feeding in the marsh.
They weren’t far off, 20 or 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), and maybe paying more attention to him than it appeared.
As they went around the water’s edge he trailed along behind them, but I didn’t see him eat anything.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 10, 2022
Peacock, Black and White
Great Egret, Nest Material
I saw this Great Egret land and expected him to get run off by the occupant of the nest about 8 feet (2 M) above him.
He poked around a bit, and was surprisingly ignored by the Great Egret in the nest.
Suddenly he swooped down to the water…
… and came up with a stick!
After circling around the tree he made a nice landing at the top, delivering the stick to his mate. Turns out he didn’t go far from home for this delivery of nesting material.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 17, 2021
Showing Off His Wing Tips
With his black wing tips in full view a White Ibis flew past me.
Then he pulled up for a landing.
Wings back, he plunged into a tree, not quite the landing I was expecting.
Nature’s Camoflage
Spotting wildlife is often about subtle contrasts and shapes. The subject’s movement sometimes helps. This Sapsucker flew onto the tree then froze in place.
Looking for the unexpected can help.
Some creatures hardly move, like the Tree Frog, and others, like this warbler, are in perpetual motion so it’s helpful to anticipate their next direction.
The Tormentor: Kingfisher
Tormentor of this photographer, that is. I often see them at my favorite wildlife management area, but somehow they are always a few wing beats ahead.
I get closer, and just as the the camera is halfway up, zoom…
And sometimes they aren’t Kingfishers at all.
Great Egret Over Pond and Reptiles
A few Great Egrets were swooping over the pond as they vied for mates or nesting spots in the nearby trees.
Great Egret Flying Over Alligators, TurtlesSome were gathering sticks for their nests but they were easily distracted when another Great Egret invaded their space.
Great Egret Flying Over TurtleOccasionally I’ve seen a large Alligator snap at a bird flying overhead without making contact, but these smallish Alligators and turtles ignored the aerial displays going on above them.
Great Egret Flying Over Alligator and Turtles