Homosassa Wildlife Park
Crested caracara
My birding friend Marilyn and I knew that the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park was a great place for bird photography from a visit a few years earlier. We were determined to return when I was able to extend a business trip to take advantage of a 3-day holiday. Read the rest of this entry »
Homosassa Springs State Park, Florida
Bald Eagle – Angry Bird?
I don’t usually like photographing captive animals, but Homosassa Springs State Park in Florida has birds in an outdoor exhibit without obstructing bars or mesh. That gives a more intimate experience, and most of them are native species. Some of these birds have been injured in some way, so they cannot fly. Others, like the brown pelicans, are completely wild and have chosen to make nests and raise a family amid the non-native flamingos and the native ibis, egrets, herons, ducks.
Patriot
It’s hard to find a captive bald eagle exhibit that doesn’t have an American flag draped in the background. Read the rest of this entry »
Ruddy Turnstones
Ruddy turnstone
If it weren’t for their bright orange legs, these birds would be practically invisible when foraging among the barnacle-covered rocks. See if you can find the bird in the photograph below.
Ruddy turnstone well camouflaged
Hint – it’s in the center. These were taken at Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Huguenot Memorial Park near Jacksonville.
There it is! Now for the rest of the Ruddy Turnstone Collection. Read the rest of this entry »
Red, Purple, and Brown (Birds) and a Green (Turtle)
Skittering Sanderlings
I made a second trip to the northeast Florida parks to see the snowy owl and other birds again this past Wednesday, this time with a friend. Ms. Snowy was further north on the beach at Little Talbot Island State Park, and perched on the dunes, but her admiring groupies with long lenses were in attendance. The wind was blowing hard and cold, but I had three shirt layers, an eared hat, thick gloves with the fingertips removed, and wind-breaking rain pants so I stayed comfy.
Red Knots
Boring Birds (in comparison)
Hooded merganser male
After the dramatic photographs of the snowy owl, the dueling bald eagles, and the fierce osprey, even the hooded merganser looks drab in comparison. Matter of fact, he will be the most colorful of the birds in this post. These were all photographed on the same day as the previously mentioned “charismatic megafauna.”
Red Knot
The Many Faces of the Osprey
Angry Bird?
The day I spent at Little Talbot Island State Park near Jacksonville, Florida was an extremely productive one for bird photographs. In addition to the Snowy Owl and the Dueling Bald Eagles, I got the osprey to pose for me. These are photographs of three different birds on a very gray day, but their expressions and poses are stunning.
Bald Eagle Steals a Fish
Juvenile Bald Eagle with fish
One immature bald eagle caught a fish. Its lazy cousin stole it away. Here’s the sequence:
This bald eagle is starting to show white feathers on its head. It wants that fish.
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