Florida Birds in my ‘Backyard’
It is amazing that I don’t have to go far at all to find lots of birds, there’s so many right here in my home-away-from-home ‘camping backyard’ at Silver Palms RV Resort in Okeechobee. With five small lakes stocked with fish and a 16-acre protected wetland preserve right on the property, I am free to roam and shoot to my heart’s content!
No newbies for my bird life list in this post, but some of these are the best photo ops I’ve gotten of some of these birds, so that in itself is exciting.
I’ll start with another photo of the Loggerhead Shrike who was the ‘star’ of my last post, this time he’s got dinner!
Loggerhead Shrike with a lizard for dinner
Lo and behold, I can see a cell phone tower high in the sky off the property and a pair of Osprey are building a nest. For those of you who have followed me a long time, you know how much I love that! As soon as we arrived and got out of our vehicle, I heard the female calling out. What a welcome to Florida!
Cell tower with osprey nest started
Female Osprey (The Mrs.)
Male Osprey (The Mr.)
One of the lakes that is surrounded with open space (no campers!) appears to be the winter home for a small group of Lesser Scaup. They apparently feel very safe, although once you start towards them, they go to the other side of the lake.
Lesser Scaup (males black & white, females brown)
Lesser Scaup
I’m beginning to think these Scaup are here on vacation for the fountain spa! They love it!
Some of my other photo ops to date…..
Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret
Great Egret
Belted Kingfisher
Blue Jay
Blue Jay
Mourning Doves at sunset
Yellow-rumped Warbler, nicknamed “Butter Butt” for good reason!
What fun to be in a different environment of birds and land. I’m filling cards and exhausting batteries. That’s a good thing, right?!! Problem becomes the reviewing and editing to share the best when all you want to do is keep shooting!
For tomorrow’s holiday, I did not luck out with a bird heart photo this year so I am going to share one of my best from the past.
Great Egret “Heart”
Happy Valentine’s Day, Everyone!
beautiful bird
Thanks!
You’ve gone to a birder’s paradise, and your excellent photos reflect that! I considered going to Florida for vacation, but I was afraid of being spoiled by the birding opportunities there. Since you’re from another great birding spot, it wouldn’t be an issue for you.
It is fun being spoiled in a birder’s paradise I must admit! 😉 Going to be sad when I have to leave, lol. But, hey, your posts prove you are in a birder’s paradise as well, Jerry, I’m amazed at all you sight and photograph in your region! 🙂
Great Cattle Egret, and wonderful warbler photo!
Thanks Kathy, both are in abundance around me! 🙂
I wonder if all those antennas do affect the health of birds.
Lesser Scaups and fountain spa, what an wonderful sight.
We have Collared doves here. Do you have there Collared doves?
I wonder too about the antennas and wires that so many birds live and hang around. It can’t be healthy you’d think.
We have your dove throughout most of the United States, it is called an Eurasian Collared Dove here, although they are not common in my Northeast mid-Atlantic area. They are in Florida where I am now so I’ll definitely be on the look-out for one now that I’ve learned about your dove! Thanks for comments, Cornell! 🙂
They’re all beautiful, but those egrets are stupendous! Particularly the last one. Happy Valentine’s Day, Donna! Thanks for sharing these beauties! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Laura, I’m in Egret heaven, they are everywhere! At home, I’m chasing a lone one trying to get just one good capture, lol. 🙂
Bunch of really nice photos! How much fun to have the run of the bird rich place. Thanks for sharing! hugs
I’m beginning to really understand why Florida is a bird’s and birder’s paradise! Thanks Beth, hugs!
You have chosen your site very well. The cattle egret was my favourite today.
I’m impressed with where we are, especially due to the fact it’s hard to find reservations in February in Florida. Boy, that egret was one very cooperative fella, even turning this way and that way, just for me. 🙂
That the sort of bird that there should be more of.
What a great variety of birds you’re seeing! My parents retired to FL several years ago and telling me I need to come birding there.
YES you need to visit the parents AND go birding, Deborah! As they say, two for the price of one! lol
🙂
A beautiful array of birds, how wonderful to have a backyard with so many beauties close at hand. I have to travel several km to see this many types. Those Osprey love power poles for nests, they do the same over here on the larger transformer decks also. Thanks for sharing!
I do research around the area of a campground before making a reservation to see where I can visit and walk to hopefully find birds and enjoy nature. Shhhhh don’t tell hubby my strategy! 😉
🙂
Looks like you’re having a ball! I shoot vicariously through your blog since I can’t be doing much of anything at the moment. Your post lowered my frustration level considerably. Thank you for that.
So glad to hear I’m helping with your destressing. Which is what I needed as well & why we came to Florida. 🙂 I am having a ball! Hubby’s having a hard time keeping up with me…..I think he’s getting tired of birding, lol. I am making sure we do our walks and golf cart rides AND chill late afternoon……because it’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere! 🙂
How exciting even to watch them, I can’t imagine to be you there 🙂 Thank you dear Donna, so beautiful sharing and photographs. Love, nia
This is a beautiful portfolio. I like the Scaup and Blue Jays shots best.
I can see why Florida is a birder’s paradise, so much variety everywhere. I am still in awe… 🙂
Just started taking bird photos myself. Love these!
Thanks so much, Debbie! You already know what fun and challenging bird photography can be! 🙂