Quiet Fall Day at Lake Apopka

Posted Jess Yarnell1 CommentPosted in Lake Apopka

My last bike ride at Lake Apopka yielded the happy sounds of lots of winter birds, but not many of them wanted to pose for my camera. That’s ok. It was still a beautiful day to be outside!

My first bird of the morning was a first-of-fall Eastern Phoebe. We definitely had a good migrant movement since my previous bike ride. I saw phoebes along all the trails. It’s nice to welcome them back! Next we need to work with them on finding more pleasing perches…

Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe

Large fussy sounds come from the tiniest of birds. House Wrens like to stay under cover, but they occasionally pop out to say hello.

House Wren
House Wren

I stopped at the Crazy U to look for migrating warblers. We’ve now reached the “just another Palm!” stage of fall migration. I was a little disappointed to only find Palm Warblers and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in my favorite trees. But then I heard the rattling call of Belted Kingfishers, and a pair of them flew up the canal to fight in mid-air. I didn’t catch the in-air battle, but they gave me some great flight shots!

Belted Kingfisher
Belted Kingfisher

Biking towards the lake, I came across a grackle with what first appeared to be a turtle egg in his mouth. Closer inspected revealed it to be a large bud. He posed proudly with it on a low branch before taking it to the water’s edge to eat.

Grackle with Breakfast
Grackle with Breakfast

This Red-shouldered Hawk was also enjoying his breakfast. As soon as he saw me, he took to the skies and finished eating in mid-air. I guess that’s the ultimate al fresco dining experience!

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

Even slow days are fun days at Lake Apopka. Every time I leave, I find myself already ready to return!

More Winter Birds Arriving at Lake Apopka

Posted Jess Yarnell1 CommentPosted in Lake Apopka

My bike ride on Monday was glorious. Beautiful cool temperatures, bright blue skies, and little birds hopping out of the landscape everywhere to say hello to me. I was so grateful to just be out there! :)

My first bird of the morning was a Northern Flicker, perched on an electric wire on Lust Road. While I see flickers there regularly, they aren’t always in good light. This one peered suspiciously at the photographer on the bike.

Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker

The sun was peeking out as I got the Crazy U. There I spotted a sleepy juvenile Cooper’s Hawk in the trees, which quickly explained the lack of little birds. A few minutes later, the hawk flew to the ground and started to stalk. I think he was looking for lizards or snakes for breakfast. His hunger was stronger than his suspicion of the crazy photographer who knelt down to get his photo.

Cooper's Hawk (Immature)
Cooper’s Hawk (Immature)

After the hawk departed, the little birds started to show themselves. I heard the Painted Buntings before I saw them. Their sharp call notes are familiar to me after many winters of hosting them in my backyard. After a few minutes, I spotted the bright red beauty perched out in the open. Welcome back, little guy!

Painted Bunting
Painted Bunting

I spent a while at the U, since new and interesting birds kept hopping out of the treetops. A female American Redstart splayed her tail as she hopped from branch to branch. She was a challenge to photograph!

American Redstart
American Redstart

Thee usual Prairie Warblers were hanging around, and I kept focusing my camera on anything that moved, hoping to turn up a different kind of warbler. I wasn’t disappointed. I got a glimpse of gray-black, and after a few minutes, the Black-throated Blue Warbler hopped out into the open for a split second.

Black-throated Blue Warbler
Black-throated Blue Warbler

This little White-eyed Vireo is pretty common at Lake Apopka, but I still had to take his picture as he peeked out from the bush.

White-eyed Vireo
White-eyed Vireo

I must have spent an hour at the U. Finally I pedaled down to the trails by the lake, where I was excited to see my first Marsh Wren of the season. There were two of them, and they flitted in and out of the grasses on the edge of the canal.

Marsh Wren
Marsh Wren

My last bird put the biggest grin on my face. I watched as a small hawk-like bird darted out across the marsh. He was hunting, and he flew fast enough that I had trouble focusing. Then he turned around and came back toward me, giving me time to get a few shots. My first-of-fall Merlin in a beautiful flight shot – what a great way to end my visit!

Merlin in Flight
Merlin in Flight