The lazy hike at Lake Apopka

On January 25, 2016January 26, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography13 Comments

Pied grebes were floating everywhere.

There were a handful of glossy ibis.

The lake was full of coots down from the north for the winter.

This guy was right over my car. I took this hanging out the window.

“Stop lady, don’t drive into the lake” said the great blue heron.

The black bellied whistlers near the end of the drive stayed far out in the marsh.

This lady anhinga had a big gulp.

These big guys were all along the drive. I stopped the car and got out to take these but they were actually across the water.

There’s a lake north of Orlando that has a driving trail along the north shore. I decided to take my sister up there when she was here over the holidays. It was a good way to get out with doing a lot of walking. She had foot surgery recently so she wasn’t up for a long walk. We drove an hour and a half on the Saturday after Christmas to get there early that morning. At first there wasn’t too many cars there but the closer to lunch it got, the more cars were on the drive. I did see a few more birds than the ones above but only got distant blurry shots of a northern harrier, several bald eagles, a merlin and lots of tiny birds far out in the marsh.

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Pretty birds doing everyday things.

On November 30, 2015December 1, 2015 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography11 Comments

A purple gallinule shining through the reeds.

A pretty common yellowthroat in the shade.

A cute grebe floating around.

A little blue heron taking a gulp.

A red-eyed vireo being shy.

A downy woodpecker high up in a tree.

A limpkin looking down at me from up above.

A palm warbler reaching for the stars.

A white pelican all alone.

Moorhens imitating each other.

Tiny hummingbirds humming in the firebush.

Some of the birds on my recent walk around Circle B Bar Reserve.

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The Usual ‘Suspects”

On March 30, 2015March 31, 2015 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography8 Comments

High up in the tree, the eagle sits.

So does the turkey vulture but he was showing off.

“Let’s see who has the biggest wings.”

Evan the male anhinga was showing off.

The cormorant said “I’m outta here.”

“Maybe she can’t see me behind this big leaf.” said the limpkin.

The “pretty”pied grebe.

A young wood stork was basking in the sun.

“Funny face”

All of the usual birds were at Circle B Bar Reserve in early March.

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A blurry new duck on a yucky day

On February 18, 2015February 9, 2015 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography5 Comments

My first common goldeneye from very far away. I had to stand on a picnic table to catch him when he swam away from the tall reeds in front of the lake. This was taken with my 300mm lens and extremely cropped up. Bad shot but at least I can add him to my list. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of one being in the area.

These little grebes were looking at me like I was crazy. Standing in the drizzle looking for a duck.

After a while, the clouds started to disappear. This kingfisher was watching me watching him.

Now watching me on a pole in the lake.

This spoonbill agreed with the grebes. I think he was laughing at me.

Moorhen with the big yellow feet.

The goldeneye had been reported for a few weeks at the lake that Boyd Hill Nature Preserve sits on. It was across the lake from the park at a boat ramp. I finally made it over there in late January. It had been raining and I almost didn’t go. Luckily it stopped raining and the sun came out. I’m glad I braved the weather since now I have a new duck for my list!

In the Marsh – Skywatch Friday

On December 11, 2014December 4, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography7 Comments

Not a pretty morning but still a pretty place. The yellow flowers were just starting to come out.

Tricolored heron in the muck.

Green heron trying to blend in.

Pretty little pied (grebe).

House wren hiding in the bushes.

“Run coot run!”

It’s always fun watching them skim across the water.

Spoonies in the rain.

Only a few were mixed in with egrets and ibis.

Another view from the trail. The bushes were losing their leaves as the yellow flowers were blooming so the contrast was weird.

Even though it was drizzling on and off all morning, I still had a good walk. At least it wasn’t hot. Whether it’s sunny or cloudy, hot or cold, animals everywhere or very few around, Circle B Bar Reserve is still a perfect place.

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