Author Archives: makielb

Here’s where Susan and I started our day with our friend Tom. We were searching for Bachman’s Sparrows and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. We soon found ourselves in Middle Earth. Where one of the residents was… Cousin Itt! OK, it was just a young long-leaf pine. But this is the habitat where we found the birds thatContinue reading “A “B” day in Florida”

Not quite true, but in the past we put a lot of planning into taking a photo. Some day, Milly and Oscar will be my IT assistants. Nope, I’m keeping my locked away. I envision a trap door opening and the hunter being culled. Somehow, I envision having the same response. Been around long enoughContinue reading “Rainy day Monday humor”

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”