Florida Scrub-Jay

The Florida Scrub-Jay is restricted to the rare oak scrub community of Florida, a habitat under constant threat of development, and is classified as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The birds shown in these pictures were taken in Lee County Florida in an area which future development will surely push them out. This was my first sighting and I felt very lucky knowing that next time they may not be there.

Painted Bunting

This is the most colorful bird I have ever photographed. Southern Florida is its winter home and it is not always easy to find. I was lucky and spent one afternoon taking pictures and to make things even better I was photographing with professional photographer Lillian Stokes. Check out Stokes Birding blog for more bunting information.

White Morph and Immature

The top one is an immature Little Blue Heron. The other is the "white morph" of the Reddish Egret in a common hunting pose.These could be easily overlooked for a Great Egret and Snowy Egret.

Red-breasted Merganser

There were several Mergansers in Tower pond of Ding Darling Sunday morning. These had just finished preening and were shaking water off. My old dog does this after taking a bath or getting wet. Its the same thing but different.

Snail Kite

A bird of tropical marshlands, the Snail Kite makes it to the United States only in southern and central Florida. This specialized hawk feeds primarily on apple snails. The pictures shown here were taken in a marsh open to the public in the last 3 to 4 years. It is located east of Fort Myers, Fl.

The bird pictured is an adult female. I show it in different positions with wings down and out, perched, lifting from water, and carrying an apple snail.

Green Heron

I found this guy just standing out in the open on a small stick wating for a fish to swim by. the Green Heron is usually more secretive but in Sanibel birds are just more approachable.

Pelicans

These two photos show you what a Pelican looks like when he puts down the landing gear. The top photo is a White Pelican. The bottom photos shows you a Brown Pelican. Obviously, the color is different but so is their size, with the White Pelican weighing twice as much and having almost 3' more wingspan.

The White Pelicans feed in groups on small fish. Often seen swimming together, the group drives the fish ahead of them and then they plunge their bills into the water simultanouesly to scoop up the fish. The Brown Pelican flies over the water, scanning for fish. When the bird spots a fish, he

dives likes a kamikazee pilot head first into the water. Pretty neat to watch.

Double-crested Cormorant

To catch this pin fish, the Double-crested Cormorant dives beneath the surface of the water. He tossed him around for a while then did the unthinkable. He tossed him in the air and swallowed him head first. Now that had to hurt.

Vaux's Swifts

In September of each year the Vaux's Swifts (pronounced "Vauks") group together in large numbers preparing for their migratory flight to Central America and Venezula. In Northwest Portalnd, Oregon a school house chimney has become their nightly roost. I sat on a hill side with several other people watching thousands of Swifts circling, chirping loudly, and eating insects preparing for their dive into the chimney. Finally someone must signal it is time to descend and as group they funnel their way inside. There are many wonderful things to see and do in the beautiful Northwest this one is a must if you enjoy nature.

Great Egret

Pictured here is a Great Egret getting his feathers all ruffled which is very appropriate since it is breeding time. He adds a little green by the bill to his all white look. This guy looks pretty handsome and I am sure he has attracted his mate. This picture was also taken at Venice Rookery.

Great Blue Heron

During the time of courtship and mating, Great Blue Herons often gather in a "rookery" with several other heron pairs. They are the largest of all herons and are seen throughout the United States. Their main food is fish so their habitat must include a water source. The birds pictured here were found in Venice, Florida. Behind a Florida Highway Patrol office building is a small city pond which has an island of Brazilian Pepper bushes. Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Annhigas and other birds have selected this location to nest. The pictures show a male Great Blue Heron bringing in a stick to add to the nest. As part of the courtship, he hands the stick to the female. Also, my sharp eyed partner found this baby heron who was not only very cute but very noisy.

Sanibel 2010

For over twenty years, my wife and I have headed south to Sanibel Island, FL looking for warm weather and birds. Well we haven't found the warm weather yet but the birds are still here. This is a great place to see and photograph unusual birds. For whatever reason, they are more easily approached which makes taking pictures easier. The immature Bald Eagle was sitting in a tree less than a hundred feet from me and my camera. He perched there (Lighthouse Park at the east end of the island) for over an hour. The Roseate Spoonbill photo was captured at Ding Darling NWR. The bird was feeding and fortunately for me was again less than a hundred feet from me. The first bird pictured is a Limpkin which is a fairly rare bird and to catch it in flight was fun.

Warblers

I took these warbler pictures in May at Magee Marsh Wildlife Refuge. Pictured top to bottom is Magnolia, Canada, and Bay-breasted Warblers. This is a great place to view and take pictures of birds in the month of May.

Bambi

My west meadow is presently red clover and today this fawn was eating away (better than my field corn). He paused long enough to have his picture taken. Very cute.

Bucks

This must be the season for bucks to hang together. I counted 16 bucks in three different groups last night. Also they all seem to like soybean greens because that was what they all were eating.

In one picture the young bucks are nestled up to dad saying please be nice to me during the upcoming rut. The other was a pretty big guy getting ready to charge my camera. Fortunately I was able to dodge him and escape with only minor injuries.

Young Buck

Last week I caught this young buck in full stride. As I panned the deer the background steaked as if in motion. This is fairly easy to do so give it a try.

Lousiana Waterthrush

My wife found this little guy feeding below the spillway of the Versailles Lake. Reflection pictures are fun and this one came out pretty good. Just turn your computer screen upside down and you will see what I mean :)

Albino Deer

For the third year in a row I have managed to photograph the Coles County Albino Deer. Last night in practically the same location as a year ago he came out to graze on soybeans. His stay was brief but I did get several nice shots.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

A small bird of the deciduous forests, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is constantly flitting from one branch to another as it searches for small insects. This little guy is also always twitching its tail back and forth. Pictured is a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher leaving its perch and one about to swallow a huge gnat. :) Pictures were taken along boardwalk of Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.

Bay-breasted Warbler

The Bay-breasted Warbler is closely related to the Blackpoll Warbler and hybrids between the two species are known. The Bay-breasted Warbler is known to also hybridize with Yellow-rumped and Blackburnian Warblers. The Bay-breasted Warbler usually feeds on insects and spiders as well as fruit in the winter. I caught this guy feeding on an insect he had just caught. He swallowed the whole thing. Yummy!