Blog - Page 48 of 756 - catandturtle

Lazy Laughing Gulls at North Beach

Posted Wednesday, July 21, 2021Sunday, June 13, 2021 Jess YarnellPosted in Fort De Soto

I headed to Fort De Soto in early June. It’s always magical to walk along that beach in the early morning with the cool breeze in my face and the warm sand between my toes. You can take pictures of the beautiful birds and laugh at their antics, like when this Laughing Gull landed on the Brown Pelican. I guess it’s easier to steal a fish from a pelican than catch it yourself…

Laughing Gull Landed on Pelican's Back — Laughing Gull Landed on Pelican’s Back

I walked around Outback Key. As usual, I ran into “Big Red” the Reddish Egret along the ocean’s edge. He posed for a picture and then flew off. This is actually a composite of two images because the bird was too close and he didn’t fit in my frame!

You already read about my Snowy Plover family in my last post, but I can’t resist including another image of this beautiful bird. They were all over the beach that morning!

The gulls were also all over the beach. A lunch bag left over from Memorial Day kept a big flock of gulls very happy that morning. They flocked in and gave me plenty of flight shot opportunities…

…then a gull would take off with a bit of food, and all the other gulls chased it. Just like with the pelican, it’s easier to steal your food than to find it yourself! Sometimes one of the birds would drop the food in mid-flight, and another gull was always there to grab it!

After a walk around, I settled down in the sand to photograph the nesting birds. See if you can find the subject that captivated my camera for the rest of the morning! You’ll have to wait for another post to read more. :)

Don't Step on Me! Least Tern Chick on Beach — Don’t Step on Me! Least Tern Chick on Beach

Another Family of Snowy Plovers!

Posted Monday, July 19, 2021Sunday, June 13, 2021 Jess YarnellPosted in Fort De Soto

It’s a good year for Snowy Plovers at one of my favorite spots on the West Coast of Florida. This is the third family to hatch young ones at this breeding colony. I arrived at sunrise, immediately plopped on my stomach in the sand, and watched the small chick running around the beach. Boy is he fast! I think the baby was about two weeks old at this time.

Under my Wing (Snowy Plover Mom and Baby)

These images were taken with my long lens and heavily cropped. I was enchanted when Mom lay down in the sand, and the baby nuzzled up under her wing. Snowy Plover chicks are precocial, meaning that they are born with the ability to feed themselves. They spend most of their days running after bugs on the beach, so these moments with Mom are very special.

It’s hard to describe how tiny these birds are. They are so white that they blend in with the sand, and the chicks are no taller than the tiny patches of grass that grow in the sand. I often describe them as cotton balls with legs the size of toothpicks!

Snowy Plovers are threatened in Florida, with fewer than 200 breeding pairs remaining. Their population is on the decline across the state. Park rangers keep finding emaciated dead birds. So I was excited to see these guys doing so well, and so grateful for the opportunity to see them.

Does this give you some perspective for how tiny these birds are? This flock of Laughing Gulls was gorging on the lunchbox remains of Memorial Day. The little Snowy Plover kept feeding at the edge of the colony, preferring his bugs to McDonald’s.

Snowy Plover on Beach with Flock of Laughing Gulls

Lying still in the sand has its rewards. After a while, the birds don’t worry about you. They run about the beach, taking care of their babies, and they make their way closer and closer to you. Until you’re holding your breath and trying not to squeal when the Snowy Plover chick gives you full-frame shots!

Later I noticed a great deal of commotion in the distance. Focusing my camera in that direction, I spotted a Wilson’s Plover chasing off a pair of Snowy Plovers. I guess the Snowies were getting too close to the Wilson’s Plover chicks.

Snowy and Wilson's Plover Territory Dispute — Snowy and Wilson’s Plover Territory Dispute

It was hard to tear myself away from these beautiful little birds. Here’s a last shot of Mama and Baby hanging out in the sweet morning light!

Least Bittern Gymnastics

Posted Saturday, July 17, 2021Saturday, June 12, 2021 Jess Yarnell2 CommentsPosted in Lake Apopka

Least Bitterns are small and often secretive birds. They nest in Central Florida during the summertime, often hiding deep in the reeds. One of the most reliable places I know to find Least Bittern is at the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. The bitterns like to perch on the dead snags on the edges of the drive. Recently I biked out to their favorite hangouts to photograph their antics while hunting for breakfast. I think they know it’s an Olympic year, as they were definitely practicing their gymnastics!

This bird was practicing his endurance on the parallel bars as he watched for fish below him…

This bittern was either saluting the judges or getting ready to do a floor exercise tumbling pass. Or maybe he was just jumping to another dead snag. The birds often change snags after getting a fish.

This bird shook himself off after eating a fish. Or maybe this is the birdie version of the “not impressed” face.

It’s very important to stick your landings. If you overshoot, you go past the snag and scare off all the fish!

This bird got the gold metal for having the longest, most elastic neck. It’s really quite fascinating to watch these tiny birds maintain their balance as they extend their long necks and pluck fish from the water.

I don’t think this guy liked his score. Or the approaching Common Gallinule, who apparently invaded his personal bubble. Time to file a complaint with the judges!