Ospreys – Comeback Kids

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Richard

Cedar Key has hundreds of Ospreys – nesting on platforms, pine tree snags, rooftops, and even the tower of the local Episcopal church. Like the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, Ospreys have overcome many complex threats—including DDT damage to eggs and habitat loss. We have an Osprey family living next door on a shed roof and another across the street. They are wonderful birds to watch flying, fishing, or just tending the nest.

Every morning, from our back deck, we were greeted by our neighbor Osprey family perched and ready for breakfast.

They had a nest a stone’s throw away and were continually adding materials such as sticks and moss.

Adding a little more moss. It appears that two adults are tending the nest – no evidence of feeding yet.

On every walk we saw Osprey nests.

This gives a nice example of the weaving of sticks and moss, ready to withstand the storms ahead.
In the “catbird seat.”

We have returned to Vermont as spring migration arrives. The car is unpacked, the camera files are next. Happy Spring.

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Florida Gators

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Richard

One of the reasons we keep Ginger on a leash is Florida’s State Reptile, the American Alligator. We saw several during our trip to Sweetwater Wetlands Park.

We saw one today at a local park.

But this guy was all business.

Posted in alligator, Birding With Ginger, Florida | 1 Comment

Another Nice Surprise

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Richard

Yesterday, we combined a grocery trip to Gainesville with a birding visit to a new spot for us: Sweetwater Wetlands Park, a birding mecca of 125 acres of wetlands and ponds right in the city. While we saw dozens of neat birds, the star attraction was this small Sandhill Crane family.

As we approached, we saw several birders watching a Sandhill Crane.
Then we noticed that they had a chick.
There were two chicks.
A family portrait.

Posted in City birds, city park, Florida, Florida birds, Florida_Birds | 2 Comments

Sunday Surprise

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Richard

I took Ginger on a short walk yesterday around the neighborhood, leaving my binoculars at home but carrying the camera. As we strolled on the quiet back streets, seeing our usual bird suspects, I heard and saw some Great Crested Flycatchers. I lost them and while searching the trees, came across these two lumps which, once I got my camera on them, were a wonderful surprise – a pair of Barred Owls staring back at me.

Most owls I have seen were pointed out to me by others, either in person or by location description — these are one of the few that I saw on my own. What a great treat.

Posted in Florida, Florida birds, Owls | 2 Comments

More Florida Birds

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Richard

While the warmth is nice, the birding with full foliage can be challenging. Here is an example of a mystery bird — answer is at end of post.

What am I?
This Gray Catbird stopped to pose for a moment.
American Oystercatchers are easy to ID and fun to watch.
This one had a White Ibis for company.
This bird popped out for a quick photo op? What’s your id?

The first bird is an Orchard Oriole – I saw it without my camera earlier.

I’m calling the last bird a female Indigo Bunting. Good birding to you.

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Florida Birds-2

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Richard

While the weather holds, we’ve gotten some good walking and birding done. Our cottage is nestled between some clamming operations: here’s a look to the southwest.

Yesterday, we encountered a few Purple Martins trying to hold on to their room reservations.

Did you invite them?
House Sparrows – America’s Guest Birds.

Ginger loves the small black lizards that dart in front of her but missed this critter, who thought he was hidden right by the path.

We missed the April snowstorm in New England but got hammered by thunderstorms last night. I had forgotten how intense these tropical deluges can be. Stay safe.

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Florida-Day 1

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Richard

After a long but uneventful trip in the Subaru and LaQuintas, we are settled in Cedar Key for a nice change of scenery. This morning, as we sat on the back deck, we were treated to this visitor – a Little Blue Heron.

On a long walk later on, these were among the many birds we saw.

Great Blue Herons will be arriving at home soon.
Redwing Blackbirds are also back in Vermont.
However, White Ibises, like the dozens we saw, are one of the treats of Florida birding.
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Some Perched Birds

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Richard

We are leaving for a little trip to Florida this weekend and it will be fun to handle the camera with warm, or at least thawed-out hands. I’ve been grabbing some shots here on our daily walks and thought I’d share a few.

Song Sparrows are everywhere, singing up a storm, adding their audio brightness to our lengthening days.

Even the more common birds stand out with leafless trees (and power poles.)

One of the first Common Grackles of the year for me.
House Sparrows need some love too.
Northern Cardinals are very vocal as they establish territory and checking out each other.
This is my first Belted Kingfisher of the year, at a great distance.

Yesterday, while walking with Ginger at the Wrightsville Reservoir, I came upon this perched Bald Eagle who watched us as we circumvented his perch but seemed pretty disinterested. I can’t determine if it’s a molting bird or a juvenile.

Posted in Birding With Ginger, First_of-year, Vermont Birding | 2 Comments

Safe Journey-Redpolls

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Richard

One of the blessings of this Covid-winter has been the antics of a large flock of Common Redpolls who have been daily visitors for the last couple of months. When I take to feeders out every morning about daybreak, they are gathering in the tall trees, chattering away. Usually there are about fifty, sometimes double that – and once they decide to chow down, it’s wonderful chaos.

Some hit the feeders but others pick up the dropped food.
It gets busy and pretty competitive.
Courtesy of Cornell’s All About Birds

With the forecast of warm weather, I suspect this gang will be heading north in the next few days. Bon voyage!

Posted in bird feeding, Irruptive migrant, migration, Vermont Birding | 1 Comment

Welcome Back

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Richard

Two days ago, I saw my first group of Canada Geese circling low, looking for places to land, but they moved off to other spots. The river, which had opened up, froze last night but this morning, a small group was gathered on the thin ice and open areas.

Four on thin ice and seven in the water.

Ginger and I were walking on the ice just last week but that’s over now. In a month or so, I hope to be watching these visitors from the kayak as they court and then raise their youngsters, essentially in our back yard.

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