Squadrons of Brown Pelicans entertained me as I was waiting for the sun to set.
A few glided right over my head.
This fellow surprised me, coming in low from the other direction.
February 6, 2023
Brown Pelicans Cruising By
Tag Archives: Florida
Tricolored Heron, Portrait
A single Tricolored Heron was hanging out at the rookery area. It’s a bit early for them to be nesting, and there was no sign of breeding colors.
He had figured out there were easy meals to be had: the water was teaming with minnows which of no interest to the alligators.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 6, 2023
Roseate Spoonbill Taking A Bath
I took these images from a boardwalk, above the action, in the late morning when the sun was nicely angled into this corner.
From this angle I could really see how the bird was rotating his wings, not just flapping.
The maintenance crew had been flushing the water in this pond.
I could see the bottom suspect that it is some kind of cement or manufactured material to hold in the water and ensure the alligators can’t burrow out.
This fellow wasn’t having great success on cleaning his shoulders, which may explain why he kept at it.
Taking a pause…
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
White Ibis Taking A Bath
Or, how a White Ibis stays white.
I spotted this White Ibis off the edge of the boardwalk, glistening from his bath.
I figured I’d missed the action but a couple moments later he took another turn.
He was really rotating his wings…
…sending water all over.
The wiggly lines in the water are reflection of the wire fence at the back of the rookery area that keep the Alligators contained.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 6, 2023
Roseate Spoonbill Walking The Trunk
A Roseate Spoonbill walking a branch after landing, still flapping his wings.
Prime spots to the left were already occupied.
Fortunately for me, he stopped right there with a nice background created by a shedding tree.
And he settled in for a bit.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
Roseate Spoonbill Landing
A Roseate Spoonbill gracefully dropping in for a landing…
Flaps up…
And, just before he disappeared into a tree.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
Anhinga Perched on Gnarly Tree
A female, or possibly immature male, Anhinga was perched atop a gnarly dead tree branch above my head.
She sat there for quite awhile, just looking around. We were back at St. Augustine this past week and many of these dead and dying trees have been cut down. They are being replaced, three huge palm trees were being installed while we were there.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
Soaking Up The Sun
Are you…
looking at me?
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
Roseate Spoonbill Taking Flight
I was delighted to see so many Roseate Spoonbills on our January trip to Florida.
These are such fascinating birds, both in their look and behaviors.
And I can’t resist taking pictures of them in flight…
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
January 20, 2023
Blue-winged Teals
Despite the green patch seen in the middle duck here, these are Blue-winged Teals.
A slight shift of the wing and you can see just the powder blue patch, and the more distinctive white patch on the male’s head.
This trio had all been either feeding or bathing.
A good shake put the feathers to rights.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Orlando Wetlands Park is 1650 acres of man-made wetland designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water from the City of Orlando and other local cities.