Orlando Wetlands Park, outside of Orlando FL, is a water conservation and wetlands refuge which I try to visit at least once a month to check out the different birds and other wildlife that pass through on their way to or from South Florida, South America and other locations. While I tend to see many of the "usual suspects" when I go, often I'm treated to a species I've not seen before or not seen in a while.

Yesterday, I finally had the time in my schedule to spend an hour or so in the late morning at the Park and I wanted to share some of the wildlife I found there on my walk in 95+ degree temps and bright sunlight. Yes, I brought lots of water with me .

First up is a bird I've photographed before at Disney's Animal Kingdom but never have seen in the wild: a Roseate Spoonbill.





Not far from where I shot the Spoonbill, I was being watched by a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting high in a dead tree along the path leading to the "birding trail".



One of the "usual suspects", a Great Blue Heron, feeding in a quiet pool along Lake Searcy.



The Anhinga is plentiful here and I love to capture them as they dry their wings before going back into the water to dive for food.





And one of the most plentiful birds -- as well as one of the oddest -- is the Black Bellied Whistling Duck.



This is the only duck species I've ever seen that actually perches on tree branches. It actually got its common name of Whistling Tree Duck because of this behavior.



And, finally, a juvenile White Ibis fishing along the banks. We see lots of White Ibis this time of year -- including in my own back yard -- but this is the first juvenile I've had a chance to capture this year.



So, all in all, it was a nice mini-vacation for me yesterday. Found my Roseate Spoonbill and revisited some of my favorite birds and got some exercise in the process. Hope you enjoy viewing these as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Jim