Tag Archives: Florida

Sandhill Crane

March 11, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Ted and I returned to Florida for five days at the end of February and went to most of the same places I photographed in late January. On my first trip I heard Sandhill Cranes calling at Vierra Wetlands but never saw them. I was delighted to see a pair on the second trip.

When we first saw the pair they were calling repeatedly and appeared to be looking for something. Unfortunately there was nothing nearby to include in the image to indicate their size. Sandhill Cranes are larger than Great Blue Herons, and can weight up to 10 pounds (4.75 KG). Great Blues top out at 5.5 pounds (2.5 KG).

We looped around the wildlife drive and about an hour later found them in about the same spot. They had stopped calling and their attention had turned to preening.

Click on any image for larger view.

Vierra Wetlands, Florida, 2/21/18.

Juvenile Birds, Wading Birds

Night-Heron Juveniles

February 26, 2018 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

The juvenile Night-Herons were more active on this morning in the rookery than the snoozing adults.

Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron — Juvenile Night-Heron

A few of them were wandering around on these gnarly tree branches in the dappled sun.

A comparison of the juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron at All About Birds finds they are quite similar, with the Black-crowned variety having “larger spots and bolder streaks.” Hard to tell unless you have one of each side-by-side.

1/30/2018, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, Florida.

Birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker Looking for Lunch

February 25, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Looking for something to eat in the crevices of this dead branch this Red-bellied Woodpecker kept trying, but I didn’t see him find anything.

Upside down didn’t work so he flipped upright.

He paused for a nice profile shot.

Scouting out his next spot, he was gone in a flash.

Click on any photo for larger view.

Wading Birds

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

February 25, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

Several Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were scattered around the rookery soaking up the morning sun. This one was tucked in the fronds of a palm tree showing off his blue/grey feathers..

The back of this rookery property has a double fence to contain the alligators and this Heron took his spot on the inner layer where the vines were still dormant in late January. The brown layer behind the bird is the second fence, also covered with brown vines.

Known for sleeping during the day, these Herons stayed put for the few hours I was in the area, despite the cacophony of the other birds sharing the rookery.

1/30/2018, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, Florida.

Wading Birds

Great Egret Stretch

February 24, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Using his flexible neck, this Great Egret is performing his grooming ritual at the end of the day.

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Strut

February 22, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

It was interesting watching the Roseate Spoonbills work their way around the trees at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. There is not a lot of room or free space and many of the Spoonbills strutted rather than flying around the roost.

This younger Spoonbill that still has head feathers was quite content to walk the branch and stake a spot.

This older fellow was doing the same thing on the next branch.

Wading Birds

Rookery Tree

February 21, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

About forty-five minutes before sundown the sun peaked beneath some clouds and lit up the tree at the end of the rookery. White Ibis filled most of the tree, but a few Great Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, and Little Blue Herons can be seen in between.

Crowded Rookery Tree – click image for larger view

Birds were continuing to arrive but unfortunately for me the area closed and I had to leave.

Wading Birds

Rookery Close-ups

February 19, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

As the rookery tree filled up for the night the birds had to be content with less space or have discussions about personal space.

These White Ibis had it figured out and evenly spaced themselves before tucking up a leg and in their beaks.

A lone White Ibis had his spot before the sun went down but wasn’t quite ready to close his eye.

Wading Birds

Bathing Hole

February 17, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

When I first arrived at the end of the boardwalk at St. Augustine Alligator Farm a Great Egret had this little corner to himself. He was just sitting there, not actively bathing, but dunking a little. No Alligators were in the immediate vicinity, that I could see.

Even though he wasn’t doing anything to attract attention he soon had company, as first a Roseate Spoonbill sauntered over, a Snowy Egret dropped in, and then a White Ibis joined the group. The White Ibis, with a splash of mud on his wings, was most in need of a rinse.

White Ibis, Great Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret

The dirt look to the Spoonbill’s feathers is the transition to the darker pink/red that happens as they mature.

1/29/2018, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, Florida.

Wading Birds

Peek-A-Boo

February 16, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The sky was a glorious blue when I returned to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm for a second day. The birds were also pleased to have a nice day, and displayed all sorts of contortions going about their morning grooming.

This Spoonbill is starting to show the black stripe behind his eyes of an adult but still has the head feathers of a juvenile. You can also clearly see the orange tail feathers, one more unusual thing about this bird.

1/30/2018, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, Florida.