Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
December 30, 2023
Sandhill Crane, Close Up
Tag Archives: Orlando Wetlands
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.
Roseate Spoonbills Flying By
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, More Sedate
Just a short distance from the Black-bellied Whistling Duck Kerfuffle that I posted last week a few small groups were calmly hanging out.
This floating mat of vegetation was solid enough to hold up the ducks but there was water around their feet.
This fellow was doing his own thing, sort of hiding in some taller grass.
In this group, one duck was on high alert, one was sort of alert and the rest were snoozing.
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.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks Flying By
In flight the Black-bellied Whistling Duck shows off a snazzy wing pattern.
This one opted to leave the pack and head off on his own for a bit…
showing off that bright bill, which will look more pink in breeding season.
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.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck Kerfuffle
Several groups of 10-20 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks were scattered around the first pond at Orlando Wetlands. Most of them were resting or quietly feeding. Then there was this group.
They were creating quite a flap, one or two flying straight up a few feet then wham, dropping into the middle of the group.
It seems too early in the year to be a breeding/territory thing. And there appeared to be plenty of food to go around.
A couple of Coots were unperturbed by the action.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Sandhill Crane Flyby, And a Caracara
I heard him coming…Sandhill Cranes are really loud.
From Cornell’s All About Birds:
“a loud rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness.”
And he flew right on by.
I could hardly make a post of this last, far off photo, but I was pretty amazed to see a Crested Caracara fly by just a few minutes before the Crane.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Purple Gallinule Runway
I thought I would be leaving Orlando Wetlands without seeing a Purple Gallinule, but finally spotted one out in the open, poking through the floating vegetation.
A half hour later another one, a bit closer, presented me with a reflection opportunity.
And then, wow–he was on the run showing off those massive feet and toes…
…and their ability to spring into the air.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Great Blue Heron Flying By
A Great Blue Heron starting to show some of the colored lures around his eye of breeding season was on a mission to gather sticks for his nest.
He went at a steady pace past some Coots.
Then he veered just a little before he turned away from me on his mission.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023
Morning Stretch
A Roseate Spoonbill working his stretch routine
Stretch it on down and hold 5, 6, 7, 8
Then rest and survey the swamp.
Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023