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Uncommon Cinnamon Teal at Merritt Island

Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2020Monday, January 27, 2020 Jess Yarnell2 CommentsPosted in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

For years I’ve been chasing a Cinnamon Teal. A relative of the common Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teals typically live in the western US, with a range extending from Canada to Mexico. A few turn up each winter in Florida. I’ve chased them from year to year, seeking them at Merritt Island, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, and other places. Usually they are far out, mixed in with thousands of other ducks. Well, this year there’s one hanging out at Merritt Island. Locating him was super easy. He raised his wings to wave hello!

You can see why this guy is called a Cinnamon Teal. He’s a beautiful rich brown. Look at that bright red eye! He was dabbling most of the time that I visited him, with his head in the water and only his tail sticking up. I had to time my camera clicks during the rare times that his head was above water and pointed at the camera.

I think the Blue-winged Teals were jealous of all the attention that the rare visitor was attracting. Or maybe they just got tired of bumping into each other as they all dabbled with their heads under water. I enjoyed the action shots as they chased each other!

The teals weren’t the only ones showing off. This Tricolored Heron was darting in and out of the mangrove, grabbing for fish for dinner. At times it looked as though he was walking on water.

The Cinnamon Teal was really quite cooperative. He gave me a total of three wing-flaps before the sun went behind a cloud. I headed home, happy to have finally seen a Cinnamon Teal. What a gorgeous bird!

Rare Mountain Bluebird in Florida!

Posted Sunday, February 9, 2020Saturday, January 25, 2020 Jess Yarnell2 CommentsPosted in Other Places

In early January the eBird and Birdbrain reports started to fly: Mountain Bluebird in Hernando County! 3rd state record! I drove out there on my first available morning. I had to laugh as I pulled up to the GPS coordinates out in the middle of a rural road and found a number of cars parked on both sides of the road, with birders wandering around and binoculars pointed in every direction. “I hope the bird is still here!” was the thought on everybody’s mind. Then Sam called out, “there! behind you!” A small blue bird had quietly flown in and stood perched on a wire fence. Over the course of the morning, he darted along that fence, getting very close at one point, then staying farther out in the field. Birders who arrive at mid-morning saw only a dark spot against the rising sun. But for a few wonderful moments, the Mountain Bluebird hopped over to the right side of the light to the delight of the photographers…and when he grabbed a worm and devoured it in front of me, I think I might have actually done a happy dance.

Mountain Bluebirds are typically found in the Western US, with their breeding range extending into Alaska and their winter range going down into Mexico. Like the Hooded Oriole, Bullock’s Oriole, and Western Tanager that I’ve seen recently, this bird probably got swept off course during a cold front.

An Eastern Bluebird hopped onto an adjacent fencepost. She shows clearly the distinction between the western Mountain Bluebird and our normal Eastern variety. She wondered why the cameras pointed at her, snapped a few shots, and then moved quickly to the visitor as the photographers muttered “Wrong bird!”

I enjoyed catching up with some of the birders and observing some of the other birds in this grassy field habitat. As the houses build up close to my home, it’s getting harder to find these birds. A flock of a dozen or so Sandhill Cranes flew in. A pair of Loggerhead Shrikes perched on an electrical wire. An American Kestrel showed off his rainbow colors from the top of a fencepost. The clear tones of a Greater Yellowlegs sounded as the bird flew in behind us. Eastern Meadowlarks called from all over and came very close to the camera to show off. What a great morning!

A Walk Down Lust Road

Posted Thursday, February 6, 2020Saturday, January 25, 2020 Jess Yarnell1 CommentPosted in Lake Apopka

As much as I love the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, I feel like I miss a lot by driving through it. Partly because my attention is divided between bird-watching and controlling a moving vehicle, partly because I usually have a car behind me wanting to go faster. So on this particular morning, after chasing the Ash-throated Flycatcher for a little while, I took a little walk down Lust Road. It was great. I noticed so many little birds and appreciated the common birds more as I enjoyed them at a slower pace.

It’s been a while since I’ve noticed a Carolina Wren at LAWD. This one was calling loudly from these bushes. It’s amazing how such big sounds can come from such small birds!

Overhead you could hear the flocks of American Robins flying overhead. If you didn’t recognize their calls, you might not notice them in the air. Then a small group of them landed in the nearby treetops. Soon they will be leaving us for springtime in their northern homes.

As I walked, I heard the call of Bald Eagles. I looked up and squinted, locating the birds circling high over my head. First I saw a juvenile eagle, who was followed by several mature eagles. Two of the adults started to chase each other in mid-air.

Much closer to my camera were a number of Blue-winged Teal. Their feathers sparkled in the early morning light.

A Snowy Egret was stalking his breakfast, grabbing minnows from the water. He already has the lacy feathers of his breeding plumage. Pretty soon his yellow lore will be a beautiful red.

A Tri-colored Heron stood nearby, his bright red eye looking out for minnows. His feathers are also starting to look spiffy as we enter springtime, although he didn’t yet have the white plume on the back of his head.

I watched for the Gray-headed Swamphens at their usual spot before the Crazy U, and I didn’t see them. Lots of Common Gallinules and American Coots were carrying on, though!

At the Crazy U, the bare tree branches had started to leaf out. A couple of Palm Warblers flitted in the treetops. Then I spotted the Yellow Warbler who is spending the winter in Florida. He came very close to my camera, making me back up to take his picture.

On my walk back, I saw this Great Blue Heron in breeding plumage standing in the reeds. I liked how his breeding blues stood out as if he had coordinated with the bright blue water.

Next time I walk down Lust Road, I’ll probably head further down. It felt like a surprisingly short walk, and I got better light angles on the birds on the right side of the road. I look forward to more flight shots and nests as we enter breeding season!