As I got on my bike last week, I heard the familiar call notes of Painted Buntings in the parking lot at Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. I looked around until I finally spotted one of the birds doing the calling – a female/juvenile in the top of a tree. Welcome back, little guys! We’ve missed you! (and I am watching for you ever day in my backyard – there’s plenty of millet for hungry travelers!!)

As I pedaled down Lust Road, a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was searching for his breakfast. I paused, and he trained that bright red eye on me. I think he prefers to be left alone on days when the cars aren’t around!

A group of Common Gallinules started to swim suspiciously towards each other. They lower their necks to swim very close to the water, then start circling each other when they are about to start a fight. I got ready for the action shot and then laughed as they kicked at each other.

At the Crazy U, the usual little birds were hanging around. Yellow Warblers seemed to be everywhere. I must have see at least 10 Yellow Warblers as I looped towards the lake and back. First this one posed near some pink flowers…

…and then a couple of Yellow Warblers posed beautifully on the tops of some grasses. I think they were bathing in the dew droplets under the leaves. It’s convenient when you can take a bath and grab bugs for your breakfast at the same time!

The reddish streaks on the Yellow Warbler’s stomach distinguish him as an adult Northern variety of Yellow Warbler. In contrast, I found a darker warbler down the trail that didn’t have the red streaks. According to Cornell, he’s an immature Northern bird. Now I want to see the Mangrove and Golden varieties!

This Prairie Warbler was getting jealous of all the Yellow Warblers. He told me that he’s also yellow and just as pretty!

My last bird of the morning was a fun surprise. A Pine Warbler! They are year-round residents in Central Florida, but I think he was my first Pine at LAWD. He was in a mixed flock with Yellow, Prairie, and Palm Warblers down by the lake. He reminded me that during migration, good finds can turn up in any tree – so you just have to get out and look for them!