We got all the way back to our car before spotting a pair of Sandhill Cranes at Orlando Wetlands. They were pecking in the leaf debris in the walkway to the old office building.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
The healthy palm tree behind the stump of a dead one made a nice backdrop for this Red-shouldered Hawk.
If he had landed in the live one I never would have spotted him.
The hawk did a delicate pirouette to change his position.
Then stopped for a nice frontal pose.
Then he flew into a nearby tree where he was totally focused on his view of the ground.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This was a modest sized stick for a Roseate Spoonbill to bring for the nest.
He took a moment to get it just so in his beak, then flew the final few feet to the nest, where it was a tight squeeze getting it situated.
Once he got there the female couldn’t turn around to take it from him–the usual pattern with new nest material.
The next looks pretty small so far…hardly big enough to hold even one egg.
The male went off for more, leaving her to rearrange the sticks before the next one arrived.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
It’s not a stretch to think there were all sorts of treasures hidden in the vegetation on this rotting log floating just off the boardwalk at Orlando Wetlands.
The Boat-tailed Grackle pulled …
and yanked…
…and dragged whatever he could latch onto.
However, he didn’t appear to find anything good.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
A young alligator, mostly hidden in some pond-side vegetation, didn’t move much while I took a few photos.
I couldn’t see his length to estimate his age, but I’d estimate in the 1 to 2 year-old range.
Maybe even a little older as you can see his “scutes” or bony plates are well formed on his neck.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
Once the Pied-bill Grebe was on his own with the crayfish he did a slow paddle…
… with his lunch just dangling.
Then he dunked it…
…maybe rinsing it
then it was down the hatch!
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
This Pied-bill Grebe seemed keenly aware of the two Coots when he surfaced with a large crayfish.
He kept circling away from them…
…and finally turned up the pedal power and swooshed away from them.
He bobbed back to the surface, continuing to swim while he hung on tight to his lunch.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
An island, or maybe just a tree line, where most of the palm trees are dead or dying. The morning we were there started out foggy and the Black Vultures were slow to get into the air. A few started flapping their wings, perhaps to warm up. At least one Roseate Spoonbill silhouette was visible and a Wood Stork flew by. It was quite spectacular.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
A Common Gallinule stood on a lump of vegetation, creating a near perfect reflection.
Until a Little Blue Heron flew in and the Gallinule moved on.
The Little Blue was in hot pursuit…
…of a dragonfly.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
There’s not much for a bird to do once the nest has been made and the eggs have been laid. (I didn’t see eggs but the one Spoonbill laying down is a good indication that they are there. )
Just preen and wait if you don’t have egg duty.
Just snooze if you do.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025
