Tag Archives: Florida

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron On Boardwalk

June 29, 2020 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The two Black-crowned Night-heron nests I spotted at the beginning of May apparently failed as they disappeared shortly thereafter. There must have been at least one other nest in that little island as I almost literally bumped into this juvenile on Thursday standing on the nearby boardwalk.

He practiced rousing…

… and showed me his beautiful wings.

A little unsure of himself, he hopped along before taking off back to the island.

Further down the path I had a view of him perched on a dead branch hanging over the water.

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbills

February 23, 2020 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

Roseate Spoonbill doing the strut.

Then the shake!

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 6, 2020

Water Birds

White Pelican Touch Down

February 22, 2020 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

For such a large bird the American White Pelicans make a delicate landing.

This one was landing on an exposed sand bar in a tidal pond.

He didn’t nail the landing, but his raised wings distracted observers from any mis-steps.

Gotta love those feet!

Water Birds

Almost Synchronized

February 13, 2020 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Four American White Pelicans decided to take a stroll along this sand bar. Actually it was more like one had decided and the others wanted to see where he was going and they fell in line.

Wading Birds

Hanging On: Snowy Egrets

February 7, 2020 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The wading birds take to the trees when the tide is high.

Occasionally they pick dead trees with no cover, nice for the photographer.

Sometimes their perch choices look uncomfortable.

Landscape

Sunset, Palm Trees

February 4, 2020 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Setting sun, palm trees, not much more you can say. Well, a bird would have been a nice addition.

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
December 29, 2019

Water Birds

White Pelican Flying Low

February 2, 2020 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

From this angle you can really see the length of the American White Pelican’s beak.

With a nine foot (almost three meter) wingspan they are quite elegant fliers and this one glided on by me.

Nearly sundown, Ding Darling NWR, Florida
December 29, 2019

Wading Birds

Ibis Heading To Roost

February 1, 2020 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A few Ibis were heading to a roosting spot past a swirly cloud sky.

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
December 29, 2019

Wading Birds

Snowy Egrets Flying with Reflections

January 31, 2020 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

This tidal pond was fairly still, with a group of Snowy and Great Egrets having a feeding frenzy in the left corner as the water ebbed.

This pair of Snowy Egrets flew in to see what was happening, creating some interesting reflections. A few ripples in the water made doubles of part of the closer bird in this next image.