Managed to great great photos of an Abbot’s bagworm moth coccoon. on a palm frond. It’s hard for me to pass up the opportunity at getting a great photo of a Turkey Vulture. Somehow, I thought that this Loggerhead Shrike was going to be the highlight of the day for me. We were close toContinue reading “Day-15: Smyrna Dunes”
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Day-12: Shorebirds, gulls, terns and other things
We tried to see American Oystercatchers at low tide the other day without success. Then we sent to look for them at high tide with success. There was an oyster-spit barely above water covered with osytercatchers, Black Plovers and turnstones. A pile of Ruddy Turnstones as we searched for Purple Sandpipers. One of three PurpleContinue reading “Day-12: Shorebirds, gulls, terns and other things”
Day-12: A few birds and other things
A four-spot palpita moth, a nice southern moth that we have had several times in Florida. A monk skipper and a whirlabout, both on bristly thistle. Great southern whites on Spanish needles. Up close and personal shot of an American White Pelican. A Sora with a nice reflections that was scurrying through the mangroves. AContinue reading “Day-12: A few birds and other things”
Day-11: Bulow Creek State Park
We headed north to the Ormond Beach area searching for a trail that is supposed to be nice botanically.. Botanically it was nice. The lichens were best. Mosses on the trees were as nice as the lichens. The turtles were even better. It was a nice visit to an area we had never been toContinue reading “Day-11: Bulow Creek State Park”
Day-10: Canaveral National Seashore
Yesterday we spent the morning at Turtle Mound and Castle Windy. Birds were OK, but plants and insects were great. We got to see Surf and Black Scoters which are always a treat for me. A Common Loon was quite close as it worked it’s way down the shore. Gulf Fritillary is common but stillContinue reading “Day-10: Canaveral National Seashore”
Day-9: New Smyrna Beach – gulls and more
Today we went down and drove the beach here north to the jetty. Since it was early in the morning as well as cool and foggy there were very few people to disturb the birds. I got to see some of my favorite gulls and terns. This is one of the many Sandwich Terns thatContinue reading “Day-9: New Smyrna Beach – gulls and more”
Day-8: Orlando Wetlands, Florida
Yesterday we went to Orlando Wetlands. The day started with thunderstorms, but quickly cleared into a beautiful day. Our walk started with sparrows (like this Savannah Sparrow) and warblers (‘Myrtle’, Palm. Common Yellowthroat and Northern Parula), but quickly shifted to waterbirds. Nesting birds here include Wood Storks, Roseatte Spoonbills, Anhinga and an array of heronsContinue reading “Day-8: Orlando Wetlands, Florida”
Day-7: Merritt Island, day-2
Our day started out looking for Florida Scrub-Jays. The birds were “abundant.” We probably saw between 8-12 in about 100 yards of walking. This one was color-banded. Along the road as we headed back to Black Point Wildlife Drive we found a slough with hundreds of swollen bladderworts. Gulf fritillaries were quite common, especially atContinue reading “Day-7: Merritt Island, day-2”
Day-6: Merritt Island, Florida
We left our 1950s-era motel in the St. Augustine area and headed over to New Smyrna Beach where we are staying with our friends Don and Loree. When we got there Don immediately took us to Merritt Island. On our way to Merritt Island we stopped to see a Bald Eagle nest, which was quiteContinue reading “Day-6: Merritt Island, Florida”
Day-5: St. Augustine, Florida
I love getting into the south before the oaks have leafed out. There is so much mistletoe here. Everything that you see in this photo is “oak mistletoe.” It’s easy to see why the Druids considered mistletoe to be mystical in nature. When the entire tree is leafless the mistletoe is still green and leafy.Continue reading “Day-5: St. Augustine, Florida”
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