Back from Fla Birding Trip

As mentioned in the above post, the birding was not very good this year. Here are a few with more to come.

www.pbase.com/vciinc/bird_trip

Jerry

Good to see you are back safe and sound. I've heard others say that birding this year in Florida is slow. We are planning on going down for two weeks mid May, I sure hope it picks up. We will be staying on Marco Island but I do want to hit St Augustine for at least one day.
Jerry, not sure if you go to Sandy Ridge in North Ridgeville but the Sandhill Crane are back, there is also an Eagles nest within view with fly bys.....redheaded woodpeckers and wood ducks...a great horned owl but I never did see that.

Connie

There are always birds at St. Augustine as you will see when I get the rest of my photos done. Never been to Sandy Ridge but maybe I'll get there when the weather gets warmer

Jerry

Connie,
if you want Sandhills, come to my back yard! Here's a shot I took of one on the 4th Tee of the Hunters Creek Golf Course.




And another of the ducks that visit my pool every year about this time. I took this just the other day.




Not to mention the abundant wildlife in almost any retention pond in Florida.




I guess we sometimes take for granted the fact that we have so much wildlife available to photograph by simply walking out the back door and looking. Jerry, I look forward to seeing more of what you captured on your trip.

Jim

There is indication that Sandhill Cranes are quite intelligent, perhaps able to read too.
http://www.pbase.com/rickards/image/93182734/large
At least it looks like they are obeying the crosswalk rules.
This was taken in Orlando, mid Feb.

Sorry to hear that the birding was slow. I am in North Florida, just 30 miles north of St. Augustine, and I have noticed a less than wonderful winter as far as keeping up with my life list. I looked everywhere for the Waxwings, but I rarely found them, and even the Yellow-rumped warblers seemed to be fewer than in previous winters. Maybe the birds are feeling the effects of our slumping economy and are just choosing to stay put.

I have not done much bird photography this year in Florida; been so busy getting the studio started. I do plan to start some bird photography next month as it is the beginning of the breeding season for many nesting birds on the beachs.

Hey Guys,
I was over on Merritt Island on Monday and spotted a Sandhill couple with two puffy chicks alongside. I was in the car; they were on the side of the road so no shots. But it's clear that there will be some great shooting possibilities over the next few weeks.

For you birders that is. I just enjoy the wildlife and have no idea about shooting birds. Except for those in my backyard of course .

Jim

Jim,
I envy anyone living in Florida. To have tame wildlife sitting almost anywhere you look is amazing. I've spent the last two days searching four different parks and came up with nothing. We have two sandhill pairs nearby. Both stay by main roads, one pair never gets closer than 400 feet and the other mainly stay in the corn fields. If you try and approach they take off. Most birds here are extremely skittish. Our florida vacation starts exactly one month from today....to say I am excited is an understatement! I just hope I don't bore my husband to death chasing birds!
Connie

Connie,
I went down to Lake Toho in Kissimmee yesterday for a walk with Rowdy and saw tons of wildlife in or nearby the lake. Of course, it was raining but I was within 20 feet of most of the birds even with Mr. R.

Yes, the abundance of wildlife is nice but you still have to be able to find it. Except, of course, for the ducks in our pool that seem to find us every year. The dogs chase them every morning but I think they really enjoy having them here too. And, despite the chases, the ducks come back every day. Must be a game.

Where are you going on your trip to Florida?

Jim

We will be staying on Marco Island again. I'm hoping the Burrowing owl nest is still there and plan to spend some time there. We are also going to make a trip this year to Gatorland. Last year we drove there, this year will be easier since we are flying.