Spring migration is becoming a bust

On June 10, 2021May 31, 2021 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography7 Comments

I was heading down to Fort Desoto in mid-April hoping to see some migrating songbirds as they stop over for a rest before heading north for the summer. It had rained days earlier and the day after the rain had some good fall out but I had to work that day. There might have been some stragglers still hanging out so I was hopeful. On the way into the park I saw some frigatebirds cruising along a pond so I pulled over and shot these as they kept going.

After walking around the usual spots for the birds for several hours, this is what I got. A lone bright yellow house finch was hanging around the bird feeder at the ranger’s house. I usually only see red house finches so the yellow threw me off.

I also found a black and white warbler but those are pretty common here.

I could at least enjoy the view as I was walking around. Not a bad spot to spend the morning out.

All of these dead trees are invasive Australian pine trees so the park killed them off to return the park to it’s natural state. It’s a tough pill to swallow when these trees use to be filled with migrating birds for so many years. I’m not sure if that is why we’ve seen less birds in the park for the last two years.

A new bird at the turtle pond.

On June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography2 Comments

I stopped by my new favorite turtle pond at McGough Nature Park in early May. I went there looking for birds but had to stop and watch the turtles napping for a few minutes.

I saw this hummingbird go by in a flash and landed on a branch right in front of me on the trail. She only stayed for a few seconds and then took off.

This black and white warbler was looking for bugs.

A redstart in the bushes.

A red eyed vireo high up in the tree.

My first yellow throated vireo. I watched him for a while as he picked up worms and caterpillars in the tree. This beautiful bird was having a feast. Fattening up before he heads north for the summer. I found him near the closed playground.

Fall migration at Chesnut Park

On December 7, 2019June 27, 2023 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography2 Comments

There were a few migrating birds at Chesnut Park in late October. I saw a lot of black and white warblers.

White eyed vireos hang around all winter.

A lone pine warbler was busy feeding in the moss.

A female magnolia warbler is not very common here.

The usual suspects at Chesnut Park.

On February 25, 2019February 26, 2019 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography5 Comments

Lots of different birds at Chesnut Park in early January but nothing new.

Bigger birds flying overhead.

I was trying to get some shots of the deer on the baseball field, She looked at me for a second and then took off to join her friends who were heading into the woods. Oh wait, that’s why they call them “white-tailed deer”.

Our World Tuesday Graphic image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup

All the usual wildlife at Chesnut Park

On January 5, 2019December 20, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography1 Comment

I saw a hawk sitting on the pole holding up the volleyball net. A few minutes later it started to rain. I ducked under cover but he just sat there through the quick shower.

All of the usual birds were at Chesnut Park in early November, including the female common yellowthroat warbler.

Two different female American redstarts came out of hiding for a few seconds.

I think this is a female painted bunting, which is fairly rare to see at this park.

Other critters at the park including that alligator in the top picture with a huge fish hanging out of his mouth.

In the trees and on the ground.

On June 14, 2018June 12, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

In the trees. Grackles, great egret, black and white warblers and northern parulas.

On the ground, an ibis was eating a snack.

A beautiful morning at Lettuce Lake park.

SkyWatch Friday

Lots of little birds in late March

On May 5, 2018April 9, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photographyLeave a comment

This little titmouse seemed to be showing me his snack.

So many little birds at Lettuce Lake Park in late March including that little spotted Hermit thrush in the last 2 pictures (or so I was told by the bird experts at the park that morning). This was a first sighting of a hermit for me.

A little blue heron posing for me.

Taken directly into the sun, this red shoulder hawk was right over my head on the boardwalk.

Lots of the same at Chesnut Park

On February 12, 2018February 13, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography6 Comments

Lots of deer in early January.

Lots of squirrels but that bottom looks a little rough.

Lots of little birds but nothing new.

Red shoulder hawks hiding along the trails.

Eagles flying far away across the lake. Both an adult and a juvenile.

Found these two ducks at a quiet end of a pond. I’m thinking they are pets that got dumped here. Someone left food in a small plastic container. I just hope they know enough to stay away from the gators.

Our World Tuesday Graphic image-in-ing: weekly photo linkup

Funny faces at the zoo

On January 22, 2018January 23, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn zoo animals5 Comments

“Gimmi a kiss, lady”.

A fun day at the zoo over Thanksgiving week while my sister was visiting. The young zebra eating while mom was watching over was born last July.

A black and white warbler hiding out in a tree.

Pretty birds and lunch for some of the birds in the aviary. After this appetizing walk through the aviary it was time for us to leave and go have lunch (we opted for salads).