A late July bike ride at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive posed a very interesting and profound question…why did the Purple Gallinule cross the trail?

Apparently the bugs are better on the left side than on the right side! :)

The gallinules were growing up. Instead of fuzzy little black babies, I saw light brown juveniles with beautiful iridescent wings. They weren’t the only babies growing up, either.

A late-nesting Great Egret was feeding her juvenile down by the lake. The nagging calls of “feed! feed! feed!” came clearly across the marsh as I watched the flapping of white wings. The juvenile was eager to either poke Mom’s eye out or shove his beak down Mom’s throat to eat regurgitated food. Mom was happy to facilitate the second one!

It’s always pretty easy to find an Osprey bringing in a fish. I told this Osprey that he needs to try a little harder. He’s not living up to his competition, who bring in much bigger fish!

It’s been a good year for Northern Flickers at Lake Apopka. I spotted this one in a distant tree in the cool morning light. A few seconds later, he took off and flew towards me. I could see the bright yellow under his wings in my first-ever in-focus flicker flight shot.

I can’t wait for the weather to cool and the winter birds to start coming back to Lake Apopka!