“Look at my big fish!”
Another view. I did not see him swallow this. He sat there for a few minutes and then flew off. I’m sure at some point he got it down.
The red winged blackbirds were being very noisy. I kept trying to tell them to be quiet so I could enjoy my morning. They would not listen.
Pied grebe floating close by. I have never noticed the black stripe on their beak before.
Sparrow – this is either a swamp, grasshopper or savannah. All of them were listed as being seen in this spot. The other birders there argued over which one it was. I’m thinking savannah since it looks like he has a little yellow around his head.
I turn around to start to leave and see a kildeer on the trail. I snapped the picture before he took off. When he took off, another one flew off with him.
Cute little Florida rat (alligator snack).
I thought I’d head back to Possum Branch to look for the green tailed towhee. I found him right after Christmas but hadn’t been back to this little preserve since then. No sight of the towhee in the almost two hours I was there but I have read others have sighted him since then. That tiny little preserve on the corner of a very busy intersection is amazing. As soon as I walked in, I spot the great blue heron pulling something out of the water. I thought “This was totally worth stopping here even if I don’t see anything else.” There were sparrows flitting all around the bushes and lots of usual grackles and blackbirds. The canal that runs along the preserve had lesser scaup but they’ll be gone soon. I was surprised to see the kildeer there. I don’t see them often. I spotted 5 alligators in the two small ponds. Now I hear there’s a clapper rail there so another trip will be soon.
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a beautiful collection! the pied-bill is in breeding form so his beak is more prevalently marked.
the GBH shots are great! 🙂
I’m thinking savannah sparrow, too, because of the yellow above the eye.
Great photos, Dina. Love the heron “hoist by his own petard” but I’m sure he’ll find a way to get that fish where it belongs.
K
Fantastic captures, Dina!
I think Savannah too!! Great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
That first shot is a stunner. Wow!
Gorgeous photos! That first one of the heron with the fish took my breath away! Good luck locating the green-tailed towhee on another trip. But, you got some great pictures the day you went!
Super set of images Dina.
Love the heron shots, Dina! Fantastic! And the Grebe is beautiful. I had to LOL at the alligator snack comment. 🙂
fantastic photos of the heron
Wonderful images…all of them… but I have to choose the first two as fantastic to see…
Great captures!!!!!!
Regards,
I visited the preserve on Sunday the 26th and was lucky to have great views of the towhee in the cold rain. 🙂 Your Great Blue Heron shots are amazing!! I agree that your sparrow is a Savannah.
Great collection, the heron really speared that fish. Great captures. I love the pied grebes, they are so cute. Wonderful photos.
Great collection, really enjoy a photo of a heron. But the kildeer image has a real 3D look to it. Great exposure, contrast and composition. Thanks for sharing! Here is my entry.
Awesome photos of the Heron !
Pity the poor fish when that fisherman is working for his lunch!
Pied-billed grebe, pied is an Old English word origin referring to the black and white coloring on a magpie (pie), I guess someone thought the bill looked black and white spotted, which is just a little out there.
I wonder if you have any idea how strange it sounds when you say you have five alligators in the pond.
Seriously Dina, those heron shots are powerful stuff. WOW! You are so right, it is staggering how much life can compress into a tiny preserve.
Cheers!
the fish and bird pic… wow, glad I ate my breakfast already