At my last visit to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, I spotted a Green Heron in the distant wetlands. He was hopping from branch to branch, and I quickly realized he was searching for sticks to build a nest.
First he would reach tall for the edges of branches, hoping that the branch would break. This was the challenge, since most of the sticks didn’t yield.
Green Heron Nest-Building
After trying all the branches in one area, he would give up and fly to the next clump. Each time he flew, he came closer to the happy photographer!
Green Heron Nest-Building
Finally one of those pesky branches yielded, and the heron broke off a twig. Perfect for the nursery! He stood with it for a few seconds in his beak to show off his victory prize.
Green Heron Nest-Building
But it’s not good to keep your prospective mate waiting. Time to go show what a great provider he can be!
It’s been a while since I drove through the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, and the winter birds are starting to leave as the residents start to nest. I decided to brave the traffic and venture out in late February. The traffic was pretty crazy but I had a great time anyway. Where else can you see so many kinds of birds?
The morning started out quietly at the Lust Road entrance. A greenie Painted Bunting was posing nicely at the tops of the grasses, and I chatted with another photographer who was enchanted with her fearlessness.
Painted Bunting “Greenie”
Another photographer said, “excuse me, but I think that’s a bobcat over there!” She was right! I didn’t get focused fast enough for a photo, but she was thrilled to have finally seen one. You know the day will be good when it starts out like that!
A Swamp Sparrow hopped out to say hello. It can be hard to get focused on them before they dive back down into the grasses!
Swamp Sparrow
Across the canal, an Osprey flew in with a fish for breakfast. Then just as quickly, he lifted off and flew away. Something tells me that he was invading someone else’s nesting territory! It made for a good flight shot…
Osprey with Fish
The trees at the Crazy U are already filling in with leaves, which will make spotting migrants more challenging. Today the trees were overrun with Palm Warblers and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
A Great Blue Heron was tending her nest. You could hear the little nah-nah-nah calls of a small baby inside. When I peeked carefully through the side of the nest, I could see the baby moving. Mom regurgitated some food for breakfast for the young ones.
Great Blue Heron Nest
Next I spotted a bird I’ve haven’t seen in a while – a Northern Flicker. They nested a few years back near the Crazy U. This bird was pretty far out in the marsh, and he showed off the yellow colors under his wings as he pecked a tree for sap. He posed at the top of a branch before flying off. Nice bird!
Northern Flicker
Each time I spotted a Double-crested Cormorant, I peeked closely inside his mouth to see if it was blue yet. A bright blue eye and bright blue mouth are part of his breeding plumage. I finally found one showing off his electric blue hues!
Double-crested Cormorant in Breeding Plumage
A Northern Harrier flew across the fields in the distance. This was where my new Canon r5’s autofocus really shone. Once it locked focus on the bird, it tracked the bird amazingly well.
Northern Harrier
A pair of Boat-tailed Grackles landed right outside my window and started making the calls of springtime. Their feathers sparkled with blue and purple hues as they fluffed up their feathers and announced to the world that they are ready to find a mate!
Boat-tailed Grackle
The Black-necked Stilts are back! A few of them have wintered at Lake Apopka, but I’m guessing that the flock of 16 that I saw this morning are new arrivals on their breeding ground. Soon we’ll watch their delicate bills and long legs in beautiful courtship routines…and then we’ll have cute little fuzzballs to photograph!
Black-necked Stilts
A pair of Sandhill Cranes flew silently overhead. They are a bird that I don’t get to photograph often in flight at LAWD. It was fun to see them!
Sandhill Cranes
The Barn Swallows are back, too! Six of them hung out on the power lines near their bridge roost. Pretty soon it’ll be time for them to be feeding their adorable nagging babies!
I don’t think the birds agree with the groundhog this year. The groundhog may have predicted 6 more weeks of winter, but in Central Florida, the spring is here early! The oaks are dropping their leaves as new growth pushes out, and already it’s getting harder to see the little birds in the treetops. I spent a happy afternoon birding in my backyard and enjoying our winter visitors before they leave.
Blondie the Palm Warbler (named because of his blond beak) is starting to get his brown and yellow hues of the breeding season. He also looks like he got into a bit of a fight. He’s missing some feathers on his forehead. I hope he didn’t have an encounter with the local Red-shouldered Hawk.
Palm Warbler
Our Painted Buntings are still here. We have at least 4 wintering males and at least 3 greenies. Their numbers go up as the spring migration approaches, but I think this is the most we’ve had through the winter months. I never get tired of photographing their bright colors!
Painted Bunting
It’s fun to watch which birds are the most dominant in the backyard. This little greenie Painted Bunting had just chased off an Orange-crowned Warbler. I’ve also seen the buntings chase away the visiting hummingbirds. But when the male cardinal shows up, the Painted Buntings know that he’s boss. It’s a funny pecking order!
Painted Bunting
Speaking of the Orange-crowned Warbler, he finally showed me his orange crown. It’s usually hidden unless he gets agitated. Or when it’s bath time…
Orange-crowned Warbler
Squirt’s Gray Catbird is still hanging around. Squirt is our gray cat, and he enjoys sitting on the porch watching the Gray Catbird splashing in the birdbath. Maaaaaa! says the catbird, and mrrow! answers Squirt.
Gray Catbird
The Northern Cardinals are thinking seriously about nesting. Papa Cardinal sits in the treetops singing in the mornings. I want a wife-wife-wife! Mrs. Cardinal is sporting some spiffy breeding plumage. I watched Papa feed her a morsel of dinner, so we know they are getting ready to expand their family. I can’t wait to see the babies in the backyard!
