Getting frisky

On April 30, 2019April 30, 2019 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

The swans at Lake Morton were showing off in early April. It was mating season for all of the critters at the lake.

Lots of couples floating around together.

No “rooms” for these couples. They were getting frisky right there at the lake.

Even the geese were getting frisky. Although, not sure what was going on with this threesome. They are always together.

Later, they were strutting around looking very proud of themselves.

Lots of action at Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland. It felt like a warm spring day and all of the ducks, geese and swans were feeling it.

Photographing New Zealand

A rare green winged teal

On April 23, 2019April 23, 2019 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

I saw the famous green winged teal from the street as he was floating along the shoreline with his girlfriend.

He climbed out of the water and seemed comfortable with several people standing there watching him. It’s pretty rare to see a green winged teal in central Florida, even in the winter. This couple must have stopped by for a rest on their way back north for the summer. Word got out quickly that they were there and I was able to get over to Lake Morton several days later. There’s a lot of foot traffic around this lake since so many people come to feed the ducks, geese and swans. Feeding stations line the lake so you can buy food for them but I think most people bring their own which is usually not good for them.

As in most ducks, the female is not as striking as the male.

They eventually headed under a tree and settled down for nap.

Cute, fuzzy and fun at Lake Morton

On April 22, 2019April 22, 2019 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography5 Comments

It’s that fun time of the year when there are baby ducks everywhere. This one Blondie in the family was so cute. It’s amazing they grow up to look like mom.

The three stooges standing on a pipe.

Beautiful swans at Lake Morton.

It felt like spring in late March.

A wood duck couple.

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Showing off on Lake Morton

On May 7, 2018May 8, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography9 Comments

Lots of pretty swans on Lake Morton.

The cormorants were getting all their “ducks” all lined up.

In a flash, I saw the male northern shoveler flying away. He was very skittish. Then a ring necked duck came in for a landing.

A lady was feeding the ducks some cracked corn (which is what they should be eating instead of bread).

Drying off on the lake.

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

Pretty things at Lake Morton

On April 30, 2018May 1, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography8 Comments

Flowers were blooming in early March.

One great blue heron wagging his tongue. The other had his pretty breeding colors on his face. You can see the color difference in the one above that’s not ready for a girlfriend yet.

After a bath.

There’s several fully grown gray swans. Might be a hybrid of the white mute swan and the black swan? They are really pretty.

Baby swan up close. The original “ugly duckling”.

Looking at the feet of a wood stork. It looks like his toenails are painted.

A quick walk around Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland before lunch. I only found one baby swan and not many swans nesting. Maybe they are nesting late this year.

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

Duck, Duck, Ibis

On June 17, 2017May 16, 2017 By dinajohnstonIn bird photographyLeave a comment

People come to this lake to feed the ducks and swans but it’s mostly the ibis that get fed. They fly in by the hundreds and attack the person holding the food.

A few random ducks.

You can always find wood ducks at this lake.

There was a pair of coscoroba swans (smaller swan with the bright pink beak) but I think there is now only 1. I think the mute swan has become friends with the coscoroba. They were hanging out together and flirting.

It’s mating and nesting season for the mute swans at Lake Morton.

White and bright

On May 22, 2017May 23, 2017 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography9 Comments

There’s a small flock of white pelicans that spend their winters at Lake Morton in central Florida. I think they may stay there all year round now. They have become acclimated to having a lot of people around since this is a busy park. In mid April I stopped by to take their picture and they ignored me. Kids were running around and they slept through it. I guess it’s good that they feel comfortable here.

Bright flowers were blooming everywhere.

Our World Tuesday Graphic image-in-ing

Beautiful “ugly ducklings”

On May 20, 2017May 16, 2017 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

Sometimes things just work out. I was heading home after a long walk at Circle B Bar Reserve and decided to stop by Lake Morton near downtown Lakeland for a quick walk around the small lake. I was hoping to find some baby wood duck families since there have been a lot of wood duck couples hanging around the lake. I got even luckier. This was the first time I’ve seen baby swans that young swimming with the parents. The little twins were very curious pecking at everything but they stayed close to the parents. I sat down on the grass and took a ton of pictures. All of these were taken in late April with my 300mm lens and were extremely cropped.

Swans, ducks and geese. Oh my.

On July 30, 2016July 30, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

The usual fun animals at Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland. That last shot shouldn’t be happening. Birds should not fill up on bread. If you’re going to feed them, at least bring corn. Or bugs but I doubt you want to carry around bugs to feed them.

Linking to Saturday’s Critters

Seven swans a swimming

On June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography1 Comment

They grow up so fast. Baby black swans that are teenagers at this point.

It’s nice to see more black swans around the lake.

Looks like this swan was getting restless,watching for her babies to hatch.

I took so many pictures of these little guys. They were very curious.

Most of the swans were nesting when I walked around Lake Morton in late April. Only a few babies had been born and they were already all grown up. The city has each nest roped off so people don’t get too close. The swans can be very aggressive if you come near the roped off area.

Linking to Saturday’s Critters