Author Archives: makielb

Our day started with us searching for Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, which we did not find, and settling for a delightful puffer fish. Carolina Saddlebags were our most numerous dragonflies today. The Little Yellow was one of many butterflies that we found today. Finding a perched Barred Owl next to the road that we were on wasContinue reading “A day full of predators”

We spent the day at Orlando Wetlands with Roger, Dawn, Don and others. W=hile we have been here before, it was our first time on the new boardwalk. A day can be bad when it starts off with Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. Having a Purple Gallinule at your feet is always a treat. With the newContinue reading “Orlando Wetlands”

Our first morning with Roger and Dawn started with seeing Painted Buntings. Both the male and female were quite cooperative. Susan, Roger and Dawn bunting watching. Two spider species in the genus Leucauge. L. argerobapta on the left and L. venusta on the right. Trichonephila clavipes, a large orb-weaver that had many insects trapped inContinue reading “A day with birds, spiders and more”

Our day started with excellent looks at most of the large waders, including this stork. I was pleased with how many good looks we had of Belted Kingfishers. I can never get enough of Roseate Spoonbills. A great variety of insects were on thistle flowers. Here’s a skipper that I am still working on idnetifying.Continue reading “A fun day in Florida”

When life is too busy retort to humor – like all the creepy satellites. I’ve had this experience before, as in “What do I want for dessert?” Reminds me of politics. I think that there is still snow in the north. Pesky animals. Why do people hate spiders? We need more trees! While some peopleContinue reading “Some humor in lieu of nature”

Heading out to find a rare bird we saw a ring-necked snake some twenty feet from Don and Loree’s where we’re staying. This cute little snake was some ten inches long. The we headed off in search of birds. Our first target was at Jetty Park. And we found it! The park has some interestingContinue reading “Searching for a rare bird”

Another day in Florida, another site with great birds. Two common birds here are Pied Billed Grebe and Common Gallinule. Although the most common birds were American Coots. Getting close to birds is incredibly easy here. This is a head shot of a Great Egret. White Ibis were as common as Glossy Ibis. The WildlifeContinue reading “Lake Apopka”

Made it to Florida! High around 84F today. Headed out to Merritt Island with Don. Our first stop was to find Florida Scrub Jays. Of course we were distracted along the walk. This Little Yellow was the first of many interesting butterflies today. Gulf Fritillary was butterfly number two for the day. One of theContinue reading “Merritt Island”

We spent two days exploring this site in South Carolina. We could have easily spent a lot more time here, but it’s time to head off to Florida. There were a lot of little birds all over the place. White-throated Sparrows and Chipping Sparrows were especially abundant. So were Pine Warblers, even in the parkingContinue reading “Santee National Wildlife Refuge”

The boardwalk at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center of the Congaree National Park is an amazing place. The boardwalk is over 2 miles long and allows excellent views of many plants and animals. Our visit this year started with a great array of moths, many more than we had last year. When we were doneContinue reading “Congaree National Park”