A few birds photographed a couple of weeks back at the Brooker Creek Preserve.
Pileated-Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Wren
Category: Birds
Uninvited Guest
A few recent photographs of female painted buntings not willing to share.
Images From Lake Apopka
Lake Apopka is approximately 30 miles northwest of Orlando. It’s the 4th largest lake in Florida and has a fantastic 11 mile drive around the lake to view and enjoy the state’s natural wildlife. One note to keep in mind is the wildlife scenic drive is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Nesting Season
It’s mating season or soon will be and these two Great Blue Herons’ are getting their nest ready. Photographed along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive in Lake Apopka, Florida.
Bald Eagles Along the Skagit River
The Skagit Valley, particularly the Skagit River, is known at this time of the year to be a haven for Bald Eagles. It’s located in the northwestern part of Washington State. About half of the time on our recent trip was spent on the Skagit River photographing eagles, and the other half on land photographing swans, snow geese, and a bit of landscape. Although the weather was cold and rainy, the experience yielded some exciting photos making the colds, both my wife and I now endure, worth it. Below are some photographs.
Pelicans at Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR
Earlier this week my wife and I took a short trip to the Naples area of Southwest Florida. Included was a short day trip to the Ding Darling WLR on Sanibel Island where we were greeted by a small pod of Pelicans. Here are a few of my photographs.
Lucy of Largo
Last week we took a drive down to the George C. McGough Nature Park which includes the Largo Bird of Prey and Exploratory Nature Center. Inside the Nature Center, at the front desk, we were introduced to Lucy, a Screech Owl who has become the Center’s official greeter. Visitor’s love Lucy and I got the impression Lucy liked all the attention she receives.
Unlike the other birds of prey at the center, Lucy is completely healthy. So you may be asking, what is she doing at the center? Why isn’t she out in the wild? Well, according to the volunteers we spoke to, Lucy was stolen as a chick from her nest by someone who decided the owlet would make a good pet. She was so young, her eyes were still closed at the time. When she eventually opened her eyes, Lucy’s first sighting was that of the human who took her from her natural home. This person began posting photos on their Facebook page which was discovered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. The owlet was confiscated and the individual was given a hefty fine. Lucy, who only knew humans, could not be released into the wild. She taken to the Largo Bird of Prey and Exploratory Nature Center where she is happy being among her own kind….people.
