Chesnut Park in early January

On February 17, 2020January 31, 2020 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography4 Comments

All the usual birds.

There were several small alligators hanging out close to the dock. I didn’t see any big ones but I’m sure the mom was close by.

This deer was right off the boardwalk and I snapped this with my phone.

After walking around Chesnut Park in early January, I stopped by a small park along the water on the way home to see if there were any wintering ducks in the bay. No ducks to be found but this gull had found a piece of a fish in the low tide and was snacking. It was weird that there were several live conch shells on the dead fish.

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A few stops on the way home.

On June 10, 2019May 29, 2019 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography1 Comment

The trail around the ponds at Possom Branch Preserve were covered in these purple flowers. The bees seemed to love them.

Little critters.

I noticed a swallow tail kite cruising high over the busy road next to the preserve.

Lots of parulas and palm warblers but not many other birds. Spring migration was pretty much over by early May.

On the way home I stopped by a small park near Possum Branch Preserve to take a peek on the boardwalk. Nothing there but I saw the above yellow billed cuckoo in the parking lot. I saw it fly into a tree and at first glance I thought it was a dove. I’m glad I stopped and paid attention. These are fairly rare here.

I also stopped by the fishing pier in Safety Harbor to see if there were any manatees. No manatees this morning but a school of sting rays swam under the pier.

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Rare birds and common ones

On July 23, 2018July 24, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography6 Comments

I hadn’t seen cedar waxwings in years. They are somewhat rare here and only a few come through during spring migration. I saw one hiding deep in the bushes and was a little bummed he was not visible. Later in my walk a flock of them quickly flew by and one stopped for a few second right in front of me. They are beautiful birds.

A rare western kingbird. I’ve only seen these once before in the area in the last 9 years. At first I thought it was a great crested flycatcher which are more common but realized later it was a kingbird.

All of the usual birds that are at Possum Branch Preserve.

Not sure what this little yellow bird it. I’m thinking it’s an immature palm warbler.

Other little critters along the lake (besides alligators).

These were all taken at Possum Branch Preserve, a small watershed, near my home in mid-April.

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Cute little birds at Circle B Bar Reserve

On April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 By dinajohnstonIn bird photographyLeave a comment

Lots of cute little birds around the nature center in mid February: palm wabler, blue gray gnatcatcher, female indigo bunting and several female painted buntings.

Of the course everyone wants the shot of the male painted bunting. We knew there was at least one there but after searching over an hour, I was about to give up when this guy above stopped for a second before taking off again. I snapped this quickly before he was gone only to get a blurry shot.

Red leaves in the winter.

Linking to Wednesday Around the World.

They all look alike

On January 7, 2017December 29, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photographyLeave a comment

This one looks like a female common yellowthroat. Although, it also looks like a female hooded warbler.

The above two looks more like a female hooded warbler.

Possible pine warbler.

Or these could be a pine warbler.

This is an easy one. A yellow throated warbler.

A palm warbler.

All of these little yellow guys look alike. Especially the females. Pine, Palm, Prairie or Polka Dots??? I can’t keep them straight. Next spring I’m going to take the time to write down what they are as I am taking pictures if someone there knows. Sometimes I have different people telling me the same bird is something different so that’s even more confusing. These were all taken in mid-November at Chesnut Park. It was a busy day for little yellow birds.

The usual suspects at Circle B Bar Reserve

On January 4, 2016January 5, 2016 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography7 Comments

You do not want to have that beak coming at you!

Green herons doing the “stretch”.

Looking for snacks.

The Wilson’s snipe was trying to sleep.

The glossy ibis was glowing in the sun.

Cute little palm warblers showing off.

A pileated woodpecker high up in the tree.

An anhinga drying off in the sun after a swim.

Pretty in yellow.

These were all taken in late November when the yellow flowers were still in bloom at Circle B Bar Reserve.

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Birds and fish at Bok Tower

On December 7, 2015December 8, 2015 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography11 Comments

I thought this bird was going to be something different but I think it’s a palm warbler in his non-breeding colors.

I can’t tell what this warbler is. Unfortunately, I did not get any other pictures of him. I think this is a female black throated blue warbler. The lady friend of the one below.

This male black throated blue warbler was staying inside of the bushes and being very timid. I rarely see these guys.

Female ruby throated hummingbirds were everywhere. I saw these at the bushes in front of the historic house.

The big fish in the pond in front of the carillon tower were looking for a handout. You can pay 25 cents to get a handful of fish food.

More fun stuff from my trip to Bok Tower in early November.

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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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Largo Nature Preserve

On February 19, 2015February 10, 2015 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography10 Comments

Nesting is in full swing for the osprey in the area. I don’t think they have eggs yet since they both left the nest at the same time for a while.

It looks like they were working on getting it comfy.

One of them kept bringing in more insulation.

Night herons always sleep along the boardwalk at this park.

Funny face. An anhinga staring at me.

Northern shovelers were close to the bank.

Flapping.

Another funny face.

The usual palm warbler. The trail was full of them.

A few robins were hanging around.

Is that parrot waving at me?

A Saturday morning walk at Largo Nature Preserve.

Skywatch Friday

I should have slept in.

On December 10, 2014December 1, 2014 By dinajohnstonIn bird photography3 Comments

I went looking for a grasshopper sparrow that had been reported at Possum Branch Preserve before heading over to Chesnut Park. This was all I got, trees full of yellow rumped warblers.

And pigeons flying overhead.

And fruit that is toxic if you eat it in this state even though it’s pretty.

Chesnut Park wasn’t much better. Palm warblers. Really? I should have slept in.

Bees and flowers were still blooming.

At least the squirrels were cute holding the berries in their tiny hands.

The usual titmouse were looking for a handout.

They get pretty close.

The lake was full of these blooming. Bees were enjoying them.

View from the end of the dock. You would almost think fall was here. There were a few trees turning red. It was the weekend before Thanksgiving and the high was going to be 80 degrees by noon.

I stopped at the little Possum Branch Preserve to look for the rare (in this area) grasshopper sparrow. There were 3 other birders there looking as well. No luck even though he was sighted the afternoon before. I moved on to Chesnut Park a few miles away. Not a lot of birds there but people were coming in fast. Every picnic shelter was booked and everyone was hauling in food, coolers and decorations. It was a perfect day for a family outing.