It’s been a few months, so it’s time to share another video collage from the backyard birdcams. Early spring in Central Florida is when the bird activity in my backyard is at its busiest. From the winter visitors gearing up to migrate, to the resident birds starting to nest, the yard is always very active. Rich and I sit mesmerized sometimes. We wonder what people watch when they lack a high-definition window!
Here’s a teaser of the video highlights…see if you can spot them all! Make sure to turn up your sound to hear the cheerful chatter.
On my last trip to Orlando Wetlands, I had a blog post full of pictures within 20 minutes of arriving. You know it’s going to be a good morning when it starts out that way! But there were plenty of other good birds waiting for me that morning. Let’s go say hi to them.
When I first arrived, I was hearing a very loud call from the nearby bushes. Sometimes the smallest birds make the loudest noises. This time it was a pair of Carolina Wrens. They were flitting back and forth, as if showing off for each other. Yep, spring is definitely on the way.
Carolina Wren
The sun’s rays were just reaching this Great Blue Heron when I saw him on the side of the boardwalk. He’s looking very spiffy in his breeding plumage. I wonder if he belongs to the nest I found later that day. He looks like he needs a few babies to keep him busy, don’t you think?
Great Blue Heron
I was hoping for some Roseate Spoonbill flight shots, and I was not disappointed. This spoonie waited for the morning sun to come out, then flew across the wetlands, showing off his breeding colors. Last year was so much fun with the nesting spoonbills. I hope they decide to stick around this year too.
Roseate Spoonbill
I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker in the distance. I had to shoot through nearby tree branches, but you still see the shimmer of his red feathers. I would love to find his nest and watch his little ones grow up!
Pileated Woodpecker
You hear the rattling call of the Belted Kingfisher long before you see this bird. He zips through the air and challenges photographers to get his picture. Sometimes I succeed! :)
Belted Kingfisher
This Sandhill Crane was sleeping on her nest. Rest, little mama. Pretty soon you will have your hands full with two tiny babies. And photographers. Lots and lots of photographers. I’m sorry, Mama, but I’m not going to visit you this year. You deserve a place to raise your babies without worrying about the paparrazi.
Sandhill Crane on Nest
As I left the wetlands, another pair of spoonies flew over. One waved goodbye in a unique way…I guess that’s his method of telling me to come back soon!
We seem to get a lot of rain on weekends lately. So I quite enjoyed a recent afternoon opportunity to take the Beast into the backyard – and it was sunny out!
The House Finches were the first to show up. First the male started to sing from the top of my beautyberry bush, then I noticed the female hanging out nearby. I loved how my neighbor’s crape myrtles created a fall-lake blur of yellows and reds behind the female.
House Finch (Male)
House Finch (Female)
My little Orange-crowned Warblers have been very active lately. They love to hop around in the flowers, like my purple salvias and this coral porterweed. I think they drink the nectar from the flowers.
Orange-crowned Warbler
We have lots of Painted Buntings this winter. At one point I looked out and saw six males – 4 on the same feeder (!!!) and a couple more around the birdbath. But when I am out with the camera, they tend to get a little shy. This one hung out in the bushes for a while before he ventured to the feeder.
Despite the spring-like weather, it was a quiet afternoon for birding. So when the squirrels started bounding across the yard, I started watching them. My mom nicknamed her squirrel “wingless” because he flies across the yard despite the absence of wings.
Squirrel
As the sun’s glow turned a golden orange, this Palm Warbler ventured out to go bug-hunting. You can see his stomach starting to turn yellow. I think the birds agree with the groundhog this year…spring is here!!
Palm Warbler
Finally the tiniest star of the backyard showed up – my little Rubby-throated Hummingbird. I had such fun photographing him as he zoomed back and forth, nectaring at the feeder and then returning to his watchpost in the crape myrtle. Look at his flash that bright red gorget!
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
This afternoon may have inspired me to get out some “pretty perches” and see if I can convince these birds to pose in more photogenic settings. Time will tell… :)
