Laughing Gulls and A Piece of Pizza
It was a quiet, cloudy afternoon. Until a flock of Laughing Gulls and a piece of pizza entered the scene.
Always great practice shooting! With a surprise at download, the only item that had a pop of color was the pizza.
Sharing a fun post!
The Chase Begins
Other Laughing Gulls quickly got into the game of chase.
That piece of pizza was dropped and grabbed several times.
Laughing Gulls and a piece of pizza up for grabs
Making a smart, swift exit from the others, the Laughing Gull in the last photo was the prize winner…..if you can call a soggy piece of pizza a prize. 😉
Series: Take A Moment and Enjoy A Sunset
I’m still reminiscing over all the beautiful sunsets I watched this past winter in Florida.
Here’s another one of them to share with you.
Sunset over Chokoloskee Bay, Florida
“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset.” — Richie Norton
A Willet Will Let You
Take it’s photograph, of course, if you’re still and patient!
I watched this Willet come and go from the same exact spots several times a day for a couple weeks last month at the campground we stayed at.
It began trusting me more and more, allowing me to get closer as it foraged each day or when it just hung out.
Sometimes I was photographing both the Willet and the Killdeer featured in recent posts at the same time, as they scurried past each other in their foraging. Of course, as much as I tried, I never did get them in the same shot focused. 😉
Here’s a gallery of my favorites taken of the Willet.
Willet
Willet
Willet
Willet
Willet
Willet
Willet in flight
Willet
I even got to watch it take baths in a puddle.
Willet taking a bath
Willet taking a bath
Willet taking a bath
Willet taking a bath
Willet “flashing a grin!”
Willet taking a bath
It is always a joy to watch a bird enjoy a bath. My last photo sure looks like the Willet’s grinning to prove so!
Eagles in Flight
Both juvenile and adult Bald Eagles in flight.
Juvenile Bald Eagle
Adult Bald Eagle
Impressive wingspans are up to 6 1/2 ft wide.
Adult Bald Eagle
Juvenile Bald Eagle
So powerful and majestic.
And always a thrill to get to see one!
Pair of Red-shouldered Hawks
This past March, it was shortly after sunrise when I spotted this pair of Red-shouldered Hawks perched alongside the road.
Always a treat to capture a pair together, I quickly pulled over and walked back.
Red-shouldered Hawks (male on left, female on right)
The male was focused on the marsh below them, and suddenly dove. I stayed with the female to see what she would do. She remained motionless, except for just a downward tilt of her head to watch her mate in action.
Female Red-shouldered Hawk watching her mate on the ground
(These photos were taken along the Tamiami Trail (US 41) that passes through the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.)
Killdeer Reflections
Several posts back, I shared photos of a pair of Killdeer and their eggs. The last I saw them, the parents were still incubating the eggs. I was disappointed to miss seeing the hatchlings.
I did, however, get a chance to watch one of the parents one day around the water’s edge, creating some nice reflections.
Killdeer
Killdeer
Let’s hope those little hatchlings were born healthy and are growing strong each new day!
Mallards – Into The Sun
These three Mallards were photographed just before sunset last month. I opted for B&W processing to highlight the wings a little nicer with the sun reflecting on them.
Mallards in Flight
I stayed with them for a short series; and they flew into the sun before I realized it. In my last shot of the series, I found it a bit ‘artsy’ when a color spectrum appeared in the sky behind them.
Mallards Flying into the Sun
What fun to find other interesting things in your captures at download!
Spotted Sandpiper
Last month, I had several opportunities with Spotted Sandpipers. Here are my three favorites from the bunch.
Spotted Sandpiper “Habitat”
Spotted Sandpiper “Flight”
Spotted Sandpiper “Profile”
Fledglings Keeping Their Parents Busy
There are a lot of American Robins around us; and it has been great entertainment watching their fledglings hop around on the ground and take short flights trying out those new wings, all while waiting, looking for or following closely along one of their parents.
American Robin fledgling
American Robin fledgling
“Okay, I’ll land here!” Learning to fly and quickly encountering a fence in its path.
American Robin parent searching for insects for a waiting juvenile.
Handsome profile!
American Robin parent searching for insects for a grumpy-looking juvenile.
Pretty juvenile!
American Robin fledglings
The fledglings get impatient quickly.
“Have you seen my Momma?”
Letting everyone know it wants to eat!
Finally a parent shows up to an excited fledgling!
American Robin fledglings getting vocal
I saw a different fledgling in the mix, begging an adult American Robin to feed it; but it was ignored. I believe it is a European Starling fledgling, please correct me if I am wrong.
European Starling fledgling
I lost track of this little one, hopefully its parent arrived and scooted it off where it should have been. Meanwhile, the juvenile robins continue to keep their parents on-the-go!
Baltimore Oriole (WooHoo!)
Not long after seeing the Red-headed Woodpecker in my last post, I saw a flash of flaming orange flying at the top of the trees, disappearing again behind another set the leaves. Could it be? Finally?
For sure, the challenge was on to capture this bird I’ve seen numerous times but has eluded my lens (and list) for years.
Yes! Welcome to my photographed bird lifer list #207 Baltimore Oriole!
Baltimore Oriole (male)
It actually took me until late yesterday to finally capture worthy photos of this handsome male.
Baltimore Oriole (male)
I’ve not sighted the female, although I’ve heard her. I believe she’s incubating on a nest hidden in a couple trees I’ve been eyeing.
Baltimore Oriole (male)
WooHoo! Please join me in a ‘happy dance’! 💃 💃 💃
Bay Photos by Donna 