tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60364963752556180392024-03-18T21:32:10.906-04:00outdoor photographyby Scott SimmonsScott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.comBlogger1046125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-40364299902188144552018-07-06T15:15:00.001-04:002018-07-06T15:16:54.312-04:00Little Big Econ State Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oxJvHp-IP3U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="550" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oxJvHp-IP3U?feature=player_embedded" width="1024"></iframe></div>
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Since May, I've been doing a lot of hiking at the Little Big Econ State Forest. The area is one of my favorite places to hike, especially in Central Florida. You can see major portions of the Econ River as well as some of the St. John's River, and there's a beautiful mix of pine flatwoods, marshy flood plains, and everything in between. During the summer the only birds here are breeding birds that I've photographed many times before, so I decided to bring my macro lens with me and focus on flowers, insects and other wildlife. The culmination of these efforts is a vastly expanded catalog of photos with a much greater diversity of species. I decided to celebrate this with a video slide show focusing on all the tracts and trails of the State Forest and Wildlife Management Area. I hope you enjoy it.Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-10909552315359590552018-06-04T20:35:00.000-04:002018-06-04T20:45:43.859-04:00Indigobird, 6/3/2018<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgVl8EmJyfE/WxXZ-s4UuPI/AAAAAAAB5jI/N43mDBMKDPAK4EVNrOahMrsTPjGNe5p6wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-03%252C%2BIMG_7436%2B%25282169%2Bx%2B1316%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgVl8EmJyfE/WxXZ-s4UuPI/AAAAAAAB5jI/N43mDBMKDPAK4EVNrOahMrsTPjGNe5p6wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-03%252C%2BIMG_7436%2B%25282169%2Bx%2B1316%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Indigobird</td></tr>
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Yesterday one of my friends found this exotic bird at his feeder. He called a few of us to come over and see this bird. We spent a good amount of time trying to turn it into a Pin-tailed Whydah, but there were several things that didn't sit well with that species. First, the bill was whitish with a tinge of pink, the legs were orange, and the bird appeared to be molting into an adult plumage that didn't match any whydah we could find. Turns out the best fit is an Indigobird. We recorded the bird singing, and the recordings appear to be a spot on match for recordings of Village Indigobird on xeno-canto. Here's the strange thing. I checked iNaturalist and eBird, and there are no records of any indigobird anywhere in the United States. So while it would be wrong to say this bird is "rare" because it's certainly an escaped/released pet, it's still pretty great to see one that apparently isn't a common pet in the United States. It was quite an experience!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2iNocrH0ZUs/WxXaBnVt3YI/AAAAAAAB5jM/Mn662IF6yfMn7NL4nRnH60Qp8foUIICPACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-03%252C%2BIMG_7450%2B%25282430%2Bx%2B1466%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2iNocrH0ZUs/WxXaBnVt3YI/AAAAAAAB5jM/Mn662IF6yfMn7NL4nRnH60Qp8foUIICPACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-03%252C%2BIMG_7450%2B%25282430%2Bx%2B1466%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Indigobird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wU8uwsLSzEk/WxXaDzk0uZI/AAAAAAAB5jQ/Kz-MF9An_lc9q_fBcxljonqy2fuElmd0QCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-03%252C%2BIMG_7467%2B%25282234%2Bx%2B1537%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wU8uwsLSzEk/WxXaDzk0uZI/AAAAAAAB5jQ/Kz-MF9An_lc9q_fBcxljonqy2fuElmd0QCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-03%252C%2BIMG_7467%2B%25282234%2Bx%2B1537%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Indigobird</td></tr>
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I'm including an audio file recorded by my friend. If any of you have any experience with African whydahs/indigobirds, I'd love any input you can provide.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxBpfU4MvpRrOiSl1rl8QNZqVKewgzv7-J-j6U-1pb1P1Ajm0rX_EHwHdNYKQPbx2EwCAbPPIcB2zihq39dVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-67130656509974467902018-06-02T21:40:00.000-04:002018-06-03T07:54:59.828-04:00Wildflowers at Lower Wekiva River Preserve, 6/2/2018<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsweSywhy-0/WxNDMsGuQcI/AAAAAAAB5ZU/iBkAuBLItloEmOSnFi9uicK_zjKovv1cQCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_6923%2B%25283231%2Bx%2B1993%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsweSywhy-0/WxNDMsGuQcI/AAAAAAAB5ZU/iBkAuBLItloEmOSnFi9uicK_zjKovv1cQCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_6923%2B%25283231%2Bx%2B1993%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Beauty</td></tr>
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I took a 7-mile walk around the Lower Wekiva River Preserve this morning. I wasn't able to take my normal route, though, since the trails were flooded in a couple places. So I ended up walking some areas that I'd never been to before. I ended up seeing a fair amount that I don't normally see, so it looks like I need to add more variety to my hikes here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXWzVAzF0x0/WxNDTY3QU5I/AAAAAAAB5ZY/ja8SMcmSFbQmBrG8Ml5B6nQJ374wOWoiACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_7140%2B%25284469%2Bx%2B3023%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXWzVAzF0x0/WxNDTY3QU5I/AAAAAAAB5ZY/ja8SMcmSFbQmBrG8Ml5B6nQJ374wOWoiACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_7140%2B%25284469%2Bx%2B3023%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly Pea</td></tr>
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Ever since May, I've been hiking with my macro lens instead of my 400 mm lens. I'm trying to concentrate on learning my butterflies and dragonflies, while also photographing other bugs and wildflowers I see. The change has been fun and very enjoyable, though I suspect when migration starts again, I'll go back to my old ways.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1v3tQZ5iItY/WxNDTelBetI/AAAAAAAB5ZY/vHsXlECPGuwlYgQ9YBoVUoIKGssbrwzcACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_7118%2B%25283763%2Bx%2B2398%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1v3tQZ5iItY/WxNDTelBetI/AAAAAAAB5ZY/vHsXlECPGuwlYgQ9YBoVUoIKGssbrwzcACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_7118%2B%25283763%2Bx%2B2398%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Rush</td></tr>
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I had a wonderful time with the wildflowers I'd seen. The Meadow Beauty and Butterfly Pea were the first I've photographed. I've photographed Rose Rush before, but it looked more blue. I've photographed Tarflower several times before, but I think they're pretty so I'm including that as well.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_qYR7SSxY/WxNGnJkIL2I/AAAAAAAB5Zk/QJcYk1uO8qsci-esxp3UU2FNXA7bBpm5QCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_7193%2B%25285472%2Bx%2B3648%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xc_qYR7SSxY/WxNGnJkIL2I/AAAAAAAB5Zk/QJcYk1uO8qsci-esxp3UU2FNXA7bBpm5QCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-06-02%252C%2BIMG_7193%2B%25285472%2Bx%2B3648%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here is the path I walked on my hike this morning:<br />
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<iframe src="https://www.komoot.com/tour/34263407/embed" width="1024" height="720" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com382tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-83222133982888381562018-03-20T20:57:00.000-04:002018-03-20T20:57:13.262-04:00Bell's Vireo on Canal St., 3/17/2018<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t05KBw6HvAo/WrGt1QOkSZI/AAAAAAABzr4/LRq8NPjScZMjMkCR-ZzzMW2umkvNKof-ACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-03-18%252C%2BIMG_4018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t05KBw6HvAo/WrGt1QOkSZI/AAAAAAABzr4/LRq8NPjScZMjMkCR-ZzzMW2umkvNKof-ACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-03-18%252C%2BIMG_4018.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bell's Vireo</td></tr>
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Over the weekend, a friend of mine found a Bell's Vireo at my favorite sparrow spot in Seminole County. Apparently, it flew into his field of view while he was looking for sparrows. I wish I could be so lucky. This species belongs in Texas and winters along the Pacific Coast in Mexico and Central America. But occasionally one shows up in Florida, and on even rarer occasions, it will winter here. That's a special treat for me, especially in my home county.Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-46327506254363830172018-03-14T22:08:00.001-04:002018-03-14T22:08:23.290-04:00Northern Waterthrush at Lake Apopka, 3/10/18<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcuvC8jWpec/WqnVb4cOhsI/AAAAAAABzNc/QjlIQDN8UrAsMqa1ISrSoLg1Y-2MJwz3wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-03-10%252C%2BIMG_3378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HcuvC8jWpec/WqnVb4cOhsI/AAAAAAABzNc/QjlIQDN8UrAsMqa1ISrSoLg1Y-2MJwz3wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-03-10%252C%2BIMG_3378.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Watherthrush</td></tr>
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A few days ago I finally had time to visit the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Many of the rarities that have been wintering here have made themselves scarce. I didn't see the Long-tailed Duck, the Ash-throated Flycatcher or the Vermilion Flycatcher. There were still lots of birds to see here, though. There were lots of sparrows at the Lust Rd gate, including a Song Sparrow, two Grasshopper Sparrows, an Eastern Towhee and lots of Savannah and Swamp Sparrows. My favorite photo of the morning, however, was this Northern Waterthrush that I found along the loop trail road north of the pump house. I saw two Northern and one Louisiana Waterthrushes, but I was only able to get a photo of a Northern.Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-13144389807860046802018-02-20T21:10:00.001-05:002018-02-21T10:30:35.305-05:00Hal Scott Preserve, 2/17/2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Saturday, I visited Hal Scott Preserve to look for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. I found two, which was really nice to see. I also saw several Carolina Satyrs, and I got my best photos of the species. I then went to Tosohatchee, where I saw lots of interesting bugs. I'm playing with the video capabilities of my new Canon 7D mark ii with fluid head, so I put my photos in the above video using ProShow Producer. I also added the photos from the slideshow below.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xQrUyFTvvU/Wo2PVrazLSI/AAAAAAABxfE/2ZwrtMSyD-0Dhqnslh97fCwBvuOj6C03gCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xQrUyFTvvU/Wo2PVrazLSI/AAAAAAABxfE/2ZwrtMSyD-0Dhqnslh97fCwBvuOj6C03gCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1683.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Red-cockaded Woodpecker</b><br />Hal Scott</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFt5tXpcKsI/Wo2PVs1JWDI/AAAAAAABxfE/Boqdxfo54lU09ahheQle4c3CU8F4ooQeQCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFt5tXpcKsI/Wo2PVs1JWDI/AAAAAAABxfE/Boqdxfo54lU09ahheQle4c3CU8F4ooQeQCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1817.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Carolina Satyr</b><br />Hal Scott</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-tY_q3BNP8/Wo2PVvLU0EI/AAAAAAABxfE/6B1wvVLwJ-wxMwbQ-fIcK5SH_UWaO7gQgCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-tY_q3BNP8/Wo2PVvLU0EI/AAAAAAABxfE/6B1wvVLwJ-wxMwbQ-fIcK5SH_UWaO7gQgCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1840.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Lilac Tasselflower</b><br />Hal Scott</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTlnU80i390/Wo2PVqQP77I/AAAAAAABxfE/R_Rj1geVTJsv_OoTNKMGCtkACG0KTbgggCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTlnU80i390/Wo2PVqQP77I/AAAAAAABxfE/R_Rj1geVTJsv_OoTNKMGCtkACG0KTbgggCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1723.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Pine</b><br />Hal Scott</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd8E1TZ-JlY/Wo2PVi1OGZI/AAAAAAABxfE/84l6Jg9_JkksBHFlio0oI1LiQev2axG4wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd8E1TZ-JlY/Wo2PVi1OGZI/AAAAAAABxfE/84l6Jg9_JkksBHFlio0oI1LiQev2axG4wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1975.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Oak Toad</b><br />Tosohatchee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0w7v1huZrQ/Wo2PVvOLsGI/AAAAAAABxfE/lxswaPngoJYg5DMKZsu_QFkEbAmxVrQmwCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0w7v1huZrQ/Wo2PVvOLsGI/AAAAAAABxfE/lxswaPngoJYg5DMKZsu_QFkEbAmxVrQmwCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1940.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Oak Toad</b><br />Tosohatchee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHSCLewl920/Wo2PVp6z18I/AAAAAAABxfE/M9H2YyBTSxUlF9OzSuB0YwDcknXN_ouBACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHSCLewl920/Wo2PVp6z18I/AAAAAAABxfE/M9H2YyBTSxUlF9OzSuB0YwDcknXN_ouBACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1841.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Crambini Moth</b><br />Tosohatchee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36MwHiIq9eY/Wo2PVhriS1I/AAAAAAABxfE/SBZJsEAlfkU2nx021Ls_luEzOW1ermslACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36MwHiIq9eY/Wo2PVhriS1I/AAAAAAABxfE/SBZJsEAlfkU2nx021Ls_luEzOW1ermslACKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1861.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Long-headed Toothpick Grasshopper</b><br />Tosohatchee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ9ku285sdw/Wo2PViO2clI/AAAAAAABxfE/fLAHkeOEnx4GiJdUTG1Kz032Jb_eOor-wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ9ku285sdw/Wo2PViO2clI/AAAAAAABxfE/fLAHkeOEnx4GiJdUTG1Kz032Jb_eOor-wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-17%252C%2BIMG_1886.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Green Darner (Teneral)</b><br />Tosohatchee</td></tr>
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<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-38714447738638124082018-02-16T22:41:00.000-05:002018-02-21T10:33:36.561-05:00Orlando Wetlands Park, 2/16/2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning I decided to hike a little bit of Orlando Wetlands Park. My main goal was to try taking some video with my new Canon EOS 7D mark II and Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head. The head works beautifully, and the 7Dm2 took wonderful video, though the autofocus seems to make a clicking sound while I'm recording. Good practice is to use an external mic for audio anyway, so I'm not too concerned. I put together a short video of some of the footage I collected today. It's nothing special, but I kind of like it, especially since it's the first video I've taken with the camera. But note to self. I need to get rid of the noisiness.Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-10432872323512929412018-02-14T21:15:00.003-05:002018-02-14T21:15:16.416-05:00Immature Bald Eagle, 2/10/2018<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Webndc7AQ5U/WoTsxU2yOBI/AAAAAAABwhw/ydKjHXGUqT8Odd-TqeUBvv0hwDLWGtk1wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Webndc7AQ5U/WoTsxU2yOBI/AAAAAAABwhw/ydKjHXGUqT8Odd-TqeUBvv0hwDLWGtk1wCKgBGAs/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1194.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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This past Saturday I walked to the St. John's River from the end of Brumley Rd. It's an eight mile walk to get there and back. On the way, a juvenile Bald Eagle flew right by me, and I thought it would be fun to try out the autofocus system on my new Canon 7D mark II. I registered my C3 setting to Shutter priority mode at 1/1250 sec with the autofocus system set on all focusing points (I may change this later). The camera functioned beautifully and just about all my photos came out sharp. I'm incredibly impressed with how this camera performs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfoe-c1wglw/WoTrQJktK4I/AAAAAAABwho/DhgSPJjth-EIvg7KjhRkUVTF2_Z2u2LOACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfoe-c1wglw/WoTrQJktK4I/AAAAAAABwho/DhgSPJjth-EIvg7KjhRkUVTF2_Z2u2LOACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1192.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOgT-Qn_6ZM/WoTrQM4lGMI/AAAAAAABwho/l9OCt8HcmaQSaQETdYP_wNhrTyGa26mqACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOgT-Qn_6ZM/WoTrQM4lGMI/AAAAAAABwho/l9OCt8HcmaQSaQETdYP_wNhrTyGa26mqACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1193.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rt9qtigrE8/WoTrQIg8r2I/AAAAAAABwho/NQB5prFtGZkqd33OucgjkBhDMQ7U-f4SwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rt9qtigrE8/WoTrQIg8r2I/AAAAAAABwho/NQB5prFtGZkqd33OucgjkBhDMQ7U-f4SwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1195.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2t-DKTea4k/WoTrQPY-VmI/AAAAAAABwho/vrseE_VVgIYUnsaSeuLJlPSfxBwsv_jdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2t-DKTea4k/WoTrQPY-VmI/AAAAAAABwho/vrseE_VVgIYUnsaSeuLJlPSfxBwsv_jdgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/2018-02-10%252C%2BIMG_1204.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle</td></tr>
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<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-14998320027455781682017-11-24T20:37:00.000-05:002017-11-24T20:37:16.983-05:00Gull-billed Terns at Orlando Wetlands Park, 11/24/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq3ZdfhZ330/WhjInJYSLpI/AAAAAAABoAc/cECK15gIU940mqx8xIPuwsEEzFLQEoD6QCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq3ZdfhZ330/WhjInJYSLpI/AAAAAAABoAc/cECK15gIU940mqx8xIPuwsEEzFLQEoD6QCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5240.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull-billed Terns</td></tr>
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I decided to wander around Orlando Wetlands Park this morning and found a wonderful surprise. Two Gull-billed Terns were parked together right next to the main trail. I've never been happy with my photos of this species before, and I think today's photographs were my favorite.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgqgNm19Gwc/WhjIxKZBYBI/AAAAAAABoAk/0iWdCDE4oaAEOD4muhbQJqWE-X7eeRfoQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgqgNm19Gwc/WhjIxKZBYBI/AAAAAAABoAk/0iWdCDE4oaAEOD4muhbQJqWE-X7eeRfoQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5223.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull-billed Tern</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3J57_sDwSHs/WhjIxFodnmI/AAAAAAABoAk/xjpiK_SDIXscu3NohMtYTSJ0JR3FhxbMACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3J57_sDwSHs/WhjIxFodnmI/AAAAAAABoAk/xjpiK_SDIXscu3NohMtYTSJ0JR3FhxbMACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5221.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull-billed Tern</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_B7CAMDw6k/WhjIxNssgjI/AAAAAAABoAk/7GarrxUgob4WkFVZlR4cPfIYzDzRyQXpACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_B7CAMDw6k/WhjIxNssgjI/AAAAAAABoAk/7GarrxUgob4WkFVZlR4cPfIYzDzRyQXpACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5225.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull-billed Tern</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBhaCUFngPg/WhjIxNbYN7I/AAAAAAABoAk/fJixtIc0IYUTrFoysSHjdZq6PmYTtWF4gCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBhaCUFngPg/WhjIxNbYN7I/AAAAAAABoAk/fJixtIc0IYUTrFoysSHjdZq6PmYTtWF4gCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-11-24%252C%2B_MG_5224.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull-billed Tern<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ducks are increasing in numbers with every visit. This morning there were bunches of both Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal, lots of Northern Pintail, one Northern Shoveler, one Wigeon, a Gadwall, many Ring-necked Ducks, and a few Lesser Scaup, not to mention Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks everywhere.Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-73185614248177304882017-09-26T19:59:00.004-04:002017-09-26T20:02:08.199-04:00Baird's Sandpiper at Orlando Wetlands Park, 9/25/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khzzOoLdaOA/WcrpM7gn6ZI/AAAAAAABhHU/e33tVMJzfo8PmcKJZuLX_ssc1KxTWcCMACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-khzzOoLdaOA/WcrpM7gn6ZI/AAAAAAABhHU/e33tVMJzfo8PmcKJZuLX_ssc1KxTWcCMACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1236.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baird's Sandpiper</td></tr>
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Two days ago, one of my friends found a Baird's Sandpiper at Orlando Wetlands Park, and several of us saw it yesterday (and it's still being seen today). I drove out to it during my lunch break and came back to the office all excited. Of course, my friends at work thought I was nerding out over a bird that "looks just like any other sandpiper." The bird was on Wetlands Blvd between Limpkin and Bobcat Rds. It was very kind to us because it was hanging out with both a Pectoral Sandpiper and a Least Sandpiper, so we could compare sizes. It's a beautiful bird.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-6f-if3H-w/WcrpSKUKvpI/AAAAAAABhHY/0QZvXRc3paUYerE6AoBD8JwHmrE9-m7CgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1371" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-6f-if3H-w/WcrpSKUKvpI/AAAAAAABhHY/0QZvXRc3paUYerE6AoBD8JwHmrE9-m7CgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1265.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baird's Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There were only a few other shorebirds there: about 12 Least Sandpipers, 1 Pectoral, 1 Semipalmated, 4 Limpkin and 6 Lesser Yellowlegs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT-58dcQDZs/WcrpSO4CimI/AAAAAAABhHY/TGiwnVJd5WghT1QSwoAvPT1367PNMo7eQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1448" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qT-58dcQDZs/WcrpSO4CimI/AAAAAAABhHY/TGiwnVJd5WghT1QSwoAvPT1367PNMo7eQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1333.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baird's Sandpiper</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFUUEFtQ_2w/WcrpSL1arKI/AAAAAAABhHY/w3RPVEabBSsWSBIv8nNZNoYBuQybGW4_wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1254" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFUUEFtQ_2w/WcrpSL1arKI/AAAAAAABhHY/w3RPVEabBSsWSBIv8nNZNoYBuQybGW4_wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-09-25%252C%2B_MG_1224.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baird's Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-16506696294917109922017-07-31T23:15:00.000-04:002017-07-31T23:15:17.290-04:00Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, 7/15/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPTdRbyY0NA/WX_u97nPL4I/AAAAAAABdJ4/4lvJfGbYfegKIh69xzTcmUa_1XoUPg1YQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3726%2B%25283354%2Bx%2B1952%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPTdRbyY0NA/WX_u97nPL4I/AAAAAAABdJ4/4lvJfGbYfegKIh69xzTcmUa_1XoUPg1YQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3726%2B%25283354%2Bx%2B1952%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavinia sp. Orbweaver</td></tr>
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A couple weeks ago I visited the wildlife drive at Lake Apopka. I decided to use my macro lens and see if I could go my whole time just photographing insects and spiders. I made it all the way until the sod fields near the end of the drive, when I had to put my 400 mm lens back on. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50_Mvj5Riz4/WX_vBHo-zuI/AAAAAAABdJ8/GXHb8FeXmPMDuPwkBEd4KT_Kwuh0faezwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3592%2B%25283135%2Bx%2B4526%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1109" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50_Mvj5Riz4/WX_vBHo-zuI/AAAAAAABdJ8/GXHb8FeXmPMDuPwkBEd4KT_Kwuh0faezwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3592%2B%25283135%2Bx%2B4526%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and Yellow Argiope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I saw two species of spiders, a Black and Yellow Argiope and a Larinia species orbweaver. These were probably the most challenging to photograph. The Lavinia sp. was pretty small, and it had become quite windy, so just getting a sharp photo was a bit of a challenge. I photographed two odes, a Rambur's Forktail and an Eastern Amberwing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5aT8aDdn1U/WX_vNbsjrdI/AAAAAAABdKA/GbkYwWMNWcAG3KCmPlZywaSkUHol9tijgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4111%2B%25283726%2Bx%2B2131%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5aT8aDdn1U/WX_vNbsjrdI/AAAAAAABdKA/GbkYwWMNWcAG3KCmPlZywaSkUHol9tijgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4111%2B%25283726%2Bx%2B2131%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rambur's Forktail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YAx4S6MdXRg/WX_vNcUmakI/AAAAAAABdKA/99xMT4eW7YA5_7yfSrLV6g7dsEIIJ6PRgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4158%2B%25282192%2Bx%2B1443%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YAx4S6MdXRg/WX_vNcUmakI/AAAAAAABdKA/99xMT4eW7YA5_7yfSrLV6g7dsEIIJ6PRgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4158%2B%25282192%2Bx%2B1443%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Amberwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also had some fun photos of butterflies and moths, in particular, a Southern Skipperling, a Fiery Skipper, and a Yellow-collared Scape Moth. The scape moth was probably the most fun find of the morning for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhMOkWESpng/WX_wECY16MI/AAAAAAABdKI/YfH3jzouT6IsBST5H-WeDvWKf1kQV2whgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4004%2B%25283334%2Bx%2B1886%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dhMOkWESpng/WX_wECY16MI/AAAAAAABdKI/YfH3jzouT6IsBST5H-WeDvWKf1kQV2whgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4004%2B%25283334%2Bx%2B1886%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-collared Scape Moth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YF1J4UyBq7c/WX_wEI74VeI/AAAAAAABdKI/tZmv3xgV4nw7Tk6HFbd4D6BJqxBueCYWQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4125%2B%25282171%2Bx%2B1550%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YF1J4UyBq7c/WX_wEI74VeI/AAAAAAABdKI/tZmv3xgV4nw7Tk6HFbd4D6BJqxBueCYWQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4125%2B%25282171%2Bx%2B1550%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiery Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLPNV0ll4oE/WX_wEFEVh6I/AAAAAAABdKI/w2OuBZo_5OQknqSjpzxWGRwVdeL3U_7zQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3566%2B%25283604%2Bx%2B2192%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLPNV0ll4oE/WX_wEFEVh6I/AAAAAAABdKI/w2OuBZo_5OQknqSjpzxWGRwVdeL3U_7zQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3566%2B%25283604%2Bx%2B2192%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Skipperling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And last but not least, I found a really cool hoverfly and another really cool beefly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5e1WDsmpVRA/WX_wViHrXJI/AAAAAAABdKM/ikX6YqrMJesGxUop4i4tg4hu3HNYTSmkgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3979%2B%25282263%2Bx%2B1601%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5e1WDsmpVRA/WX_wViHrXJI/AAAAAAABdKM/ikX6YqrMJesGxUop4i4tg4hu3HNYTSmkgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3979%2B%25282263%2Bx%2B1601%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hover fly<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCTj4NTfi-Q/WX_wY9kryuI/AAAAAAABdKQ/0q92aa5mpD8DNhF9v79yK0-1wc_4E4vzACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3783%2B%25283160%2Bx%2B2182%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCTj4NTfi-Q/WX_wY9kryuI/AAAAAAABdKQ/0q92aa5mpD8DNhF9v79yK0-1wc_4E4vzACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_3783%2B%25283160%2Bx%2B2182%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beefly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After I made it to the sod fields, there were about 400 or so Swallow-tailed Kites filling the skies, as well as perhaps a half-dozen Mississippi Kites. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher was also still there, west of the sod fields. As I left I realized I've been missing so much along the drive. I'm always looking for birds, and I'm sure I always will, but there is so much more to see along the drive that you don't see unless you get out of the car and patiently look down in the grasses and flowers. I'm realizing I need to pay more attention to the wonders that live along the drive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myvxHm3Iork/WX_wwMvLWNI/AAAAAAABdKU/crdqYGDv8W4ygfLB1FsHtCHjHaqFC76wQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4236%2B%25281157%2Bx%2B673%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1157" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myvxHm3Iork/WX_wwMvLWNI/AAAAAAABdKU/crdqYGDv8W4ygfLB1FsHtCHjHaqFC76wQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4236%2B%25281157%2Bx%2B673%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mississippi Kite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1mqm2uDNaSc/WX_wwL6dlyI/AAAAAAABdKU/jwk3vda8ILIiYhHdU4sBnvT4pcQaL65IQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4216%2B%25281392%2Bx%2B897%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1391" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1mqm2uDNaSc/WX_wwL6dlyI/AAAAAAABdKU/jwk3vda8ILIiYhHdU4sBnvT4pcQaL65IQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-15%252C%2B_MG_4216%2B%25281392%2Bx%2B897%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fork-tailed Flycatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, 2803 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703, USA28.6691954 -81.5628654000000213.1471608999999994 -122.87145940000002 54.191229899999996 -40.254271400000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-82660722244002671582017-07-27T22:49:00.000-04:002017-07-27T23:35:48.162-04:00Geneva Wilderness Area, 7/27/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-0VBAaKvG4/WXqhIG0-elI/AAAAAAABc8c/feepyau7UxUYwBQbvKOUIPayzt37P6VeQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-0VBAaKvG4/WXqhIG0-elI/AAAAAAABc8c/feepyau7UxUYwBQbvKOUIPayzt37P6VeQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5537.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Carolina Spreadwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After having such a wonderful time this past Saturday at Lake Proctor looking for butterflies and dragonflies, I thought I'd try a different park with a similar habitat. Geneva Wilderness Area is a little closer, but it has three ponds with similar habitat. So I decided I'd check those ponds before work. They are surrounded by pines with grassy fields near them, and from what I'm learning that's a pretty good type of place to look for dragonflies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1PfABrgDDw/WXqhVCPnfzI/AAAAAAABc8g/Ko8tMtQ_HBwJA7dgYMBfxfzSy9RlDBEAwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j1PfABrgDDw/WXqhVCPnfzI/AAAAAAABc8g/Ko8tMtQ_HBwJA7dgYMBfxfzSy9RlDBEAwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5312.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Bluet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I didn't see nearly as many dragonflies as on Saturday, but I did get about 15 species, and two of them were new to me: Carolina Spreadwing and Cherry Bluet. There were several species that were at Lake Proctor as well: Banded Pennant, Golden-winged Skimmer, Halloween Pennant, Little Blue Dragonlet, Atlantic Bluet, and Rambur's Forktail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_9BDpblOW0/WXqi1tntSeI/AAAAAAABc8s/UCcj-Rgap5Ib0NmeD9xUkYwS4zuEGdvhACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1443" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_9BDpblOW0/WXqi1tntSeI/AAAAAAABc8s/UCcj-Rgap5Ib0NmeD9xUkYwS4zuEGdvhACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5464.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Bluet (can't entirely rule out Familiar Bluet)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfcXKnKDevM/WXqkp6eUrlI/AAAAAAABc84/UelNRnUCLRAMhrTgNKh7ac6aEvToWFYqQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TfcXKnKDevM/WXqkp6eUrlI/AAAAAAABc84/UelNRnUCLRAMhrTgNKh7ac6aEvToWFYqQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5459.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Citrine Forktail<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjwaSbE6GHw/WXqjiekPygI/AAAAAAABc8w/L2TaZEivHJcXkpGgpZ9XyzPLnbVAcSvJQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjwaSbE6GHw/WXqjiekPygI/AAAAAAABc8w/L2TaZEivHJcXkpGgpZ9XyzPLnbVAcSvJQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5591.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rambur's Forktail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DxILeLLV5-k/WXqjiZjHTXI/AAAAAAABc8w/rZzst0GjpuYsXejW_hxVfId79Hn2RZvkwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DxILeLLV5-k/WXqjiZjHTXI/AAAAAAABc8w/rZzst0GjpuYsXejW_hxVfId79Hn2RZvkwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5427.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded Pennant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZC-JJaOf9A/WXqjiYQGSvI/AAAAAAABc8w/KIcCUl7TMokX_XfyFEsdEw2pH6tlaRcsACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZC-JJaOf9A/WXqjiYQGSvI/AAAAAAABc8w/KIcCUl7TMokX_XfyFEsdEw2pH6tlaRcsACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5395.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Dragonlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the way out to the ponds, I also saw a Twilight Darner. I'm learning that these are more common here than I had originally thought.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMWsBmH0g5c/WXqkgF2QeaI/AAAAAAABc80/It2kYY8mms0oKxFUXVPYH7rqxq56vxbYQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMWsBmH0g5c/WXqkgF2QeaI/AAAAAAABc80/It2kYY8mms0oKxFUXVPYH7rqxq56vxbYQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-27%252C%2B_MG_5284.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twilight Darner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Geneva Wilderness Area, 3485 County Rd 426, Geneva, FL 32732, USA28.7046812 -81.1223655999999660.99013219999999791 -122.43095959999997 56.4192302 -39.813771599999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-65974452142389174952017-07-26T23:05:00.000-04:002017-08-01T10:38:07.294-04:00Marl Bed Flats, 7/26/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_z65WeWYsw/WXlWNjn0RYI/AAAAAAABc4E/_arOy4CyoJwdRpl-SmmJiGMM7UBsybwFgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c_z65WeWYsw/WXlWNjn0RYI/AAAAAAABc4E/_arOy4CyoJwdRpl-SmmJiGMM7UBsybwFgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5269.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rambur's Forktail<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This morning I decided to head out to Marl Bed Flats to see what birds and bugs I might find. I was pleased to see that the flats aren't nearly as dry as they were the last time I visited. There was standing water near the slough, and that was encouraging to me. I didn't see a lot of birds, but there were bugs everywhere. I saw several species of dragonflies and damselflies. The biggest treat was seeing two mating Rambur's Forktails. They didn't mind me getting close with my camera, so I got my first decent photos of a mated pair.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2TeLhihgSs/WXlWj2FyWQI/AAAAAAABc4I/yonNSQ3kH-cH0qGFBTaSv8ZL-HAjCQCPACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j2TeLhihgSs/WXlWj2FyWQI/AAAAAAABc4I/yonNSQ3kH-cH0qGFBTaSv8ZL-HAjCQCPACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5178.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dasher<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpMUq39rPlQ/WXlWj-BbgVI/AAAAAAABc4I/L6Ild65vA4Q1QRvDCRVAOuJNx0VsKds4gCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpMUq39rPlQ/WXlWj-BbgVI/AAAAAAABc4I/L6Ild65vA4Q1QRvDCRVAOuJNx0VsKds4gCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5139.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dasher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFAT5Z6oYXg/WXlWj2195RI/AAAAAAABc4I/WleBL8d8il0oMZYDtpPE2sL066EggSzmACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1295" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFAT5Z6oYXg/WXlWj2195RI/AAAAAAABc4I/WleBL8d8il0oMZYDtpPE2sL066EggSzmACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5146.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Dragonlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EByZTkJoIuI/WXlWj3QfSjI/AAAAAAABc4I/iDtfG7pVgBoU_wbi0_0YfHDYQn-bdTXcwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EByZTkJoIuI/WXlWj3QfSjI/AAAAAAABc4I/iDtfG7pVgBoU_wbi0_0YfHDYQn-bdTXcwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5160.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Amberwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I only photographed three butterflies: Little Yellow, Southern Skipperling, and Common/White Checkered Skipper.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NlCnjhA0ko/WXlXAHTTzXI/AAAAAAABc4M/LmGn5V8abTEtsAc2YjhF4X7nM3W_SNB0wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NlCnjhA0ko/WXlXAHTTzXI/AAAAAAABc4M/LmGn5V8abTEtsAc2YjhF4X7nM3W_SNB0wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5080.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Yellow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ3md4Jy2O4/WXlXAC7f2gI/AAAAAAABc4M/KYZK2GqbvjYyPo5Wo7MqFTKQ8zdXLDr7wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_4882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQ3md4Jy2O4/WXlXAC7f2gI/AAAAAAABc4M/KYZK2GqbvjYyPo5Wo7MqFTKQ8zdXLDr7wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_4882.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Yellow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2aJYI6ap18/WXlXAJ1YpTI/AAAAAAABc4M/4oZX7gOFlJsa8COjcLWDO64Djg57SZiugCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j2aJYI6ap18/WXlXAJ1YpTI/AAAAAAABc4M/4oZX7gOFlJsa8COjcLWDO64Djg57SZiugCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_5031.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Skipperling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was also fun to find a different species of bee fly (I think <i>Poecilanthrax lucifer</i>) and a new species of assassin bug (I think <i>Acanthocephala terminalis</i>).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2A8_IM3zk0I/WXlXfY6G-zI/AAAAAAABc4Q/F3iqFK5GCGkJUHIhTNfhCEI3XPKxEzWwACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_4985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1485" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2A8_IM3zk0I/WXlXfY6G-zI/AAAAAAABc4Q/F3iqFK5GCGkJUHIhTNfhCEI3XPKxEzWwACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_4985.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assassin Bug<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXnWiJiqRkI/WXlXfXgmKmI/AAAAAAABc4Q/y8FZOkYUKYM4KUxNj6uyqpzlotdc8_kpgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_4965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXnWiJiqRkI/WXlXfXgmKmI/AAAAAAABc4Q/y8FZOkYUKYM4KUxNj6uyqpzlotdc8_kpgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-26%252C%2B_MG_4965.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Fly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Marl Bed Flats, Florida 32773, USA28.7274953 -81.2414539999999763.2054608000000009 -122.55004799999998 54.249529800000005 -39.932859999999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-4680026505797227642017-07-25T20:42:00.000-04:002017-07-25T20:42:08.906-04:00Wirz Park, 7/25/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tG4xZpBs3JM/WXfkZMOIeVI/AAAAAAABcyA/4ZTvzm0x02AVvbfnUoAPOPWulGs0j8uAgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tG4xZpBs3JM/WXfkZMOIeVI/AAAAAAABcyA/4ZTvzm0x02AVvbfnUoAPOPWulGs0j8uAgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4697.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Skimmer (m)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This morning I dropped by Wirz Park to see what kinds of birds and bugs I might find before work. Last time I visited this park I saw several Scarlet Skimmers, which are one of the few (and possibly the only) invasive dragonfly species. My understanding is that they are native to Japan. But they are very pretty, and the males are so brilliantly red that I can pick them out against a green back ground, even with my red-green colorblindness. I was surprised to see several other species here too, including several Pin-tailed Pondhawks, which were new to me this far north. Several of these dragonflies posed quite nicely for photos, so I thought I'd share them. I'm somewhat amazed that I've made two blog posts in a row with not a single bird or landscape photo. So weird.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-X2NeLlARs/WXfkfQkDERI/AAAAAAABcyE/WFYXpCoXiwIVLdtdAy8INHaYmgyopgLbgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-X2NeLlARs/WXfkfQkDERI/AAAAAAABcyE/WFYXpCoXiwIVLdtdAy8INHaYmgyopgLbgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4726.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Skimmer (f)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPvrEsPZbeI/WXfkfRtxkzI/AAAAAAABcyE/TJygVs4jIbM0zd_2h9gCMxLlPxMUSJSQwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1580" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPvrEsPZbeI/WXfkfRtxkzI/AAAAAAABcyE/TJygVs4jIbM0zd_2h9gCMxLlPxMUSJSQwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4735.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Pondhawk (f)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8njuzIPNTy8/WXfkfcXe63I/AAAAAAABcyE/9grIFp0m-CQ-D6ffgeIbLlwVOHetT3NyQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1520" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8njuzIPNTy8/WXfkfcXe63I/AAAAAAABcyE/9grIFp0m-CQ-D6ffgeIbLlwVOHetT3NyQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4778.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pin-tailed Pondhawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAPyByXwu5A/WXfkfVHr1DI/AAAAAAABcyE/vghtbjLsxhYqQSgTQSLzo4D2mXurd5ytwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAPyByXwu5A/WXfkfVHr1DI/AAAAAAABcyE/vghtbjLsxhYqQSgTQSLzo4D2mXurd5ytwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-25%252C%2B_MG_4795.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dasher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Wirz Park, 806 Mark David Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707, USA28.6507862 -81.31536660.9362192 -122.6239606 56.3653532 -40.006772600000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-8523635868777537032017-07-22T21:16:00.003-04:002017-07-27T23:29:48.116-04:00Lake Proctor Wilderness Area, 7/22/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCUK1b47nME/WXP1b_ChALI/AAAAAAABcto/gizgEbHJdqMuj7SgdbtaqY2011gj2jTSwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UCUK1b47nME/WXP1b_ChALI/AAAAAAABcto/gizgEbHJdqMuj7SgdbtaqY2011gj2jTSwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4497.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Amanda's Pennant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This morning a friend and I decided to head out to Lake Proctor Wilderness Area to do some birding and look for dragonflies. The habitat here seemed like it might be good for a Purple Skimmer, and we wanted to see if we could find any here. Lake Proctor is pretty low right now, and really it amounts to several ponds, but the whole area is surrounded by pine trees, and parts of it appear to have a sandy bottom, and that's a good area for Purple Skimmer. We didn't see any, but we did see about the same number of odonata species as we saw bird species, about 20 each.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQYJWY15QdI/WXP14FQkUNI/AAAAAAABctw/9G96hyugFhkBTMA6tqNmRcbXNS02ui_0wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQYJWY15QdI/WXP14FQkUNI/AAAAAAABctw/9G96hyugFhkBTMA6tqNmRcbXNS02ui_0wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4481.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Bluet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oz64hMC4Rig/WXP1v_aCYoI/AAAAAAABcts/o7IAxhdMh6ImKTiOsnneYGMaOPjAQ1qTgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oz64hMC4Rig/WXP1v_aCYoI/AAAAAAABcts/o7IAxhdMh6ImKTiOsnneYGMaOPjAQ1qTgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4446.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seepage Dancer<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm pretty much a novice at dragonflies, and I don't think I've ever seen so many different species on one place. I saw 8 new species: Seepage Dancer, Atlantic Bluet, Lilypad Forktail, Comet Darner, Wandering Glider, Amanda's Pennant, Ornate Pennant, and Banded Pennant.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEFHD65Amz4/WXP4715tHSI/AAAAAAABcuQ/WVfHDK43CM8OswYxTZMBMshuY-ZeZWsHgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEFHD65Amz4/WXP4715tHSI/AAAAAAABcuQ/WVfHDK43CM8OswYxTZMBMshuY-ZeZWsHgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4306.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Amberwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi2jZW7UMVM/WXP2cL9luSI/AAAAAAABct4/kP8HEQRWpHcEbOv_1bAKPvVL5IauoSS-ACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: tinos; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi2jZW7UMVM/WXP2cL9luSI/AAAAAAABct4/kP8HEQRWpHcEbOv_1bAKPvVL5IauoSS-ACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4283.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Dragonlet (female)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkzhuFC9cDY/WXP2N46klOI/AAAAAAABct0/8RAjI-_OzoUBi6M3XPvG79elQX2FCrUYgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkzhuFC9cDY/WXP2N46klOI/AAAAAAABct0/8RAjI-_OzoUBi6M3XPvG79elQX2FCrUYgCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4504.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Dragonlet (imm. male)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26v3kcwS-hM/WXP-FMSyZqI/AAAAAAABcus/_mohom0iN48s3dhCJlgDZsX0UlGULmgPwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26v3kcwS-hM/WXP-FMSyZqI/AAAAAAABcus/_mohom0iN48s3dhCJlgDZsX0UlGULmgPwCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4415.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-winged Skimmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-LjDMxCUFg/WXP4DF9TcAI/AAAAAAABcuI/_7D_vw-DBqI3zZW-pdFLq-m4Bw1EZnjtQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: tinos; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1025" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-LjDMxCUFg/WXP4DF9TcAI/AAAAAAABcuI/_7D_vw-DBqI3zZW-pdFLq-m4Bw1EZnjtQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4667.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded Pennant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">
There were also some other insects that posed nicely for photos. My favorite is a little grasshopper that I </div>
haven't yet identified, as well as a beefy and a Delaware Skipper.<br />
<div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL-wbKv0f70/WXP3r7VL-EI/AAAAAAABcuE/ms928E6bSkUVz8Og22WZcOGsQLMBEEy4wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL-wbKv0f70/WXP3r7VL-EI/AAAAAAABcuE/ms928E6bSkUVz8Og22WZcOGsQLMBEEy4wCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4338.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0-z2pqKDzo/WXP7sPkkBpI/AAAAAAABcuc/zHBeBRuzG8MrPuVGsShmPmfFCBXP8wa9gCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0-z2pqKDzo/WXP7sPkkBpI/AAAAAAABcuc/zHBeBRuzG8MrPuVGsShmPmfFCBXP8wa9gCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4311.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shield-backed Bug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQd7gs4rhls/WXP3r2mjcNI/AAAAAAABcuE/tlWtEBIdoIUUSK5rpb6-m9aOlsY9Ve4TQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQd7gs4rhls/WXP3r2mjcNI/AAAAAAABcuE/tlWtEBIdoIUUSK5rpb6-m9aOlsY9Ve4TQCKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4400.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beefly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5TsLbYsrZo/WXP3rzOnl2I/AAAAAAABcuE/QG6TneiZ4-MQqykX4g9kgjYmQmGo2rfVACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5TsLbYsrZo/WXP3rzOnl2I/AAAAAAABcuE/QG6TneiZ4-MQqykX4g9kgjYmQmGo2rfVACKgBGAs/s1600/2017-07-22%252C%2B_MG_4530.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delaware Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-42447411302486692232017-05-20T19:45:00.002-04:002017-05-20T19:50:35.114-04:00Distinguishing Cave and Cliff Swallows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGzBDB8UT8M/WSDV76MXPdI/AAAAAAABaQA/_5QyDc0yXKoDdZikuTV7vh0BIbtcDstMQCKgB/s1600/2017-05-12%252C%2B_MG_0638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGzBDB8UT8M/WSDV76MXPdI/AAAAAAABaQA/_5QyDc0yXKoDdZikuTV7vh0BIbtcDstMQCKgB/s1600/2017-05-12%252C%2B_MG_0638.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Swallow<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">There's at least one Cave Swallow that has been hanging out at Lake Apopka for at least the past three weeks. It looks like it's trying to build a nest under a bridge, which would be really cool, especially if there's a second around. And not too far away, at a bridge over Rte 50, there have been Cliff Swallows breeding there for at least the past few years. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5_uP7f5qoA/WSDULg0gnWI/AAAAAAABaPo/qVeUQ5RregIefjIfiUaUfYyHVKlIeLFpQCKgB/s1600/2017-05-19%252C%2B_MG_1170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5_uP7f5qoA/WSDULg0gnWI/AAAAAAABaPo/qVeUQ5RregIefjIfiUaUfYyHVKlIeLFpQCKgB/s1600/2017-05-19%252C%2B_MG_1170.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Swallow<br />
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These two species look pretty similar, so I thought it would be fun to make a post highlighting how you can tell the two species apart, especially in flight. Now most Cliff Swallows in the U.S. have largely whitish foreheads. However occasionally you can find the "Mexican" race, which has a dark forehead, and It think the "Mexican" race looks a bit more like a Cave Swallow. But if you get a good look at the face, It think it's not too difficult to tell them apart.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iEK5KDxw5Hs/WSDUhGh0NcI/AAAAAAABaPs/vVOu0OU-4lcjA-D1FwxlzTNHpCjTQNrewCKgB/s1600/2015-06-29%252C%2B_MG_8507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iEK5KDxw5Hs/WSDUhGh0NcI/AAAAAAABaPs/vVOu0OU-4lcjA-D1FwxlzTNHpCjTQNrewCKgB/s1600/2015-06-29%252C%2B_MG_8507.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff Swallow<br />
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Cliff Swallows have much darker cheeks and throats, and so there's a large amount of contrast between the throat and breast. Cave swallows have much lighter cheeks and throats, and so there looks to be a much greater contrast between the cheek and crown. I think easiest place to look is the cheek--light auriculars contrasting with the crown is a Cave Swallow. Dark auriculars and throat contrasting more with the breast is a Cliff Swallow.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBsU070ZP_M/WSDUhMlAZTI/AAAAAAABaPs/O8QrkFJShwwv77BVWvLLHBjG7mmdc06SACKgB/s1600/2017-05-17%252C%2B_MG_0979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dBsU070ZP_M/WSDUhMlAZTI/AAAAAAABaPs/O8QrkFJShwwv77BVWvLLHBjG7mmdc06SACKgB/s1600/2017-05-17%252C%2B_MG_0979.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cliff Swallow</td></tr>
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<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-1382315567684202142017-05-17T21:00:00.004-04:002017-05-17T21:02:56.517-04:00Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and Lookalikes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1bJjN3lQ14/WRzxJ74cTkI/AAAAAAABZ5Q/U-bWklIUqlEFKr6Vlh-GeboWcW5GzVF0QCKgB/s1600/2017-05-03%252C%2B_MG_7743%2B%25281626%2Bx%2B1070%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1bJjN3lQ14/WRzxJ74cTkI/AAAAAAABZ5Q/U-bWklIUqlEFKr6Vlh-GeboWcW5GzVF0QCKgB/s1600/2017-05-03%252C%2B_MG_7743%2B%25281626%2Bx%2B1070%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Streaked Flycatcher</b><br />
Tarcoles River<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">When I was in Costa Rica, I saw lots of flycatcher. I couldn't believe how many flycatchers I saw. There are three, though, that look very similar--Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Streaked Flycatchers, and Pirated Flycatchers. Sulphur-bellied have been seen in Florida on very rare occasions, and I believe Pirated have as well. These three flycatchers seem to be pretty common in Costa Rica, though. I saw Streaked Flycatchers the most. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVyWc2UBnZo/WRzxJyA3tUI/AAAAAAABZ5Q/DwackzRqNq40fVUW3fzEVvlGNkf_upTHwCKgB/s1600/2017-05-03%252C%2B_MG_7438%2B%25281371%2Bx%2B831%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVyWc2UBnZo/WRzxJyA3tUI/AAAAAAABZ5Q/DwackzRqNq40fVUW3fzEVvlGNkf_upTHwCKgB/s1600/2017-05-03%252C%2B_MG_7438%2B%25281371%2Bx%2B831%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher</b><br />
Carrara National Park<br />
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Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers have nearly all-black bills and a large black malar area. Streaked Flycatchers have a lot more pink on the bill and not nearly as much black in the malar area. By malar area, I mean basically the sides of the chin area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLLKWbqmCKU/WRzxJ3YusWI/AAAAAAABZ5Q/pjyAgEM3G6IECu2xXM-HDNbfFji-0E08ACKgB/s1600/2017-05-02%252C%2B_MG_5512%2B%25282457%2Bx%2B1804%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sLLKWbqmCKU/WRzxJ3YusWI/AAAAAAABZ5Q/pjyAgEM3G6IECu2xXM-HDNbfFji-0E08ACKgB/s1600/2017-05-02%252C%2B_MG_5512%2B%25282457%2Bx%2B1804%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Piratic Flycatcher</b><br />
Playa Hermosa<br />
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Piratic Flycatchers are smaller, and they have proportionately small bills, making them far easier to separate from the other two, but they still look pretty similar.Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-29757396574497919162017-05-16T22:22:00.000-04:002017-05-16T22:35:27.083-04:00Bahama Woodstar at Maritime Hammock, 5/16/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CYsQH9wrekg/WRuzNjQHukI/AAAAAAABZ1Y/I_lqHsmKnLQDtB-HiGjw9-7MvJSrpEWrgCKgB/s1600/2017-05-16%252C%2B_MG_0867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CYsQH9wrekg/WRuzNjQHukI/AAAAAAABZ1Y/I_lqHsmKnLQDtB-HiGjw9-7MvJSrpEWrgCKgB/s1600/2017-05-16%252C%2B_MG_0867.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahama Woodstar<br />
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So I was planning to spend the next several posts sharing photos from Costa Rica, but a couple days ago, a Bahama Woodstar was found in Maritime Hammock in Brevard Co. So after work I took a drive to see if I could find the bird. When I arrived, there were birders there from all over the state and even some from around the country. I had to wait about 10 minutes before the Woodstar showed up. It gave us wonderful views for about 5 minutes or so, and then it flew off. I waited another hour or so for the bird to show up again, but it never did. Still, those 5 minutes were wonderful! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeghHAs6W7w/WRuzNtj-8oI/AAAAAAABZ1Y/B7mCrS_2vHwKvIweHHiehxc6L87WsOC2gCKgB/s1600/2017-05-16%252C%2B_MG_0877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xeghHAs6W7w/WRuzNtj-8oI/AAAAAAABZ1Y/B7mCrS_2vHwKvIweHHiehxc6L87WsOC2gCKgB/s1600/2017-05-16%252C%2B_MG_0877.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahama Woodstar<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeV1gldCcR4/WRuzNv60ABI/AAAAAAABZ1Y/P_zkfwxKM-suK4Te1eTj3MTNorhSphSOgCKgB/s1600/2017-05-16%252C%2B_MG_0886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeV1gldCcR4/WRuzNv60ABI/AAAAAAABZ1Y/P_zkfwxKM-suK4Te1eTj3MTNorhSphSOgCKgB/s1600/2017-05-16%252C%2B_MG_0886.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahama Woodstar</td></tr>
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Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Maritime Hammock Preserve, 1235 N Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, USA28.3310928 -80.61098642.8090583000000002 -121.9195804 53.8531273 -39.3023924tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-8485994708061150362017-05-16T08:35:00.000-04:002017-05-16T08:42:56.874-04:00Great Kiskadee and Lookalikes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm9BcR4-ScI/WRrwstINv9I/AAAAAAABZtI/eMnXymQJHoEAxeHIbgJyFpNVWD9zYdhiACKgB/s1600/2017-05-01%252C%2B_MG_4350%2B%25281595%2Bx%2B979%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pm9BcR4-ScI/WRrwstINv9I/AAAAAAABZtI/eMnXymQJHoEAxeHIbgJyFpNVWD9zYdhiACKgB/s1600/2017-05-01%252C%2B_MG_4350%2B%25281595%2Bx%2B979%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b>Great Kiskadee</b><br />
Tres Regalos Condos<br />
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Everytime I go to Mexico I love seeing Great Kiskadees. They're beautiful birds, and they're always calling, it seems, so you always know they're around. But there are other species of flycatchers that look very much like them. The Social Flycatcher has a smaller bill and a slightly different facial pattern. I've seen those in Mexico a lot too. Boat-billed Flycatchers have much larger bills, and I saw my first in Costa Rica this past May (I've been wanting to do a post like this for some time, but I've wanted to wait until I actually saw a Boat-billed Flycatcher. And there's one more I can add here, the Gray-capped Flycatcher. This flycatcher has a grayer head, so it's a bit easier to separate from the others, but still, they look pretty similar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--w-G5ce9x4M/WRrxERA4vcI/AAAAAAABZug/a_KMclDqjxssYeXc4-Q0sQ8cjgQrOGbTACKgB/s1600/2017-05-01%252C%2B_MG_3884%2B%25281912%2Bx%2B1152%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--w-G5ce9x4M/WRrxERA4vcI/AAAAAAABZug/a_KMclDqjxssYeXc4-Q0sQ8cjgQrOGbTACKgB/s1600/2017-05-01%252C%2B_MG_3884%2B%25281912%2Bx%2B1152%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Boat-billed Flycatcher</b><br />
Tres Regalos Condos<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ACqj0dvvx8/WRrxEa0ouZI/AAAAAAABZug/ycB0e0qowgAxOyLhZO6SLX4IMMqZxCnnwCKgB/s1600/2017-05-01%252C%2B_MG_4400%2B%25283777%2Bx%2B2350%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ACqj0dvvx8/WRrxEa0ouZI/AAAAAAABZug/ycB0e0qowgAxOyLhZO6SLX4IMMqZxCnnwCKgB/s1600/2017-05-01%252C%2B_MG_4400%2B%25283777%2Bx%2B2350%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Social Flycatcher</b><br />
Tres Regalos Condos<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HH0bj95CC50/WRrxYXCagcI/AAAAAAABZwU/T2mWabJNjRsrSP3b-pdwNFBLzalKsxqFQCKgB/s1600/2017-05-03%252C%2B_MG_8146%2B%25282615%2Bx%2B1626%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HH0bj95CC50/WRrxYXCagcI/AAAAAAABZwU/T2mWabJNjRsrSP3b-pdwNFBLzalKsxqFQCKgB/s1600/2017-05-03%252C%2B_MG_8146%2B%25282615%2Bx%2B1626%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Gray-capped Flycatcher</b><br />
Carara National Park</td></tr>
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<br />Interestingly, only the Gray-capped and Social Flycatchers belong to the same genus. The other two are in different genera. And yet Social Flycatchers are far more easy to distinguish from Gray-capped then they are the other two. However, I bet if you were given blackened profile shots of all four birds, it would be easy to distinguish all these birds by size and structure except for Social and Gray-capped. There are two more species that have this similar look that I didn't see (Rusty-margined and White-winged), but they are found in areas of Costa Rica that I wasn't able to visit.<br /><br />
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<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-39055472851925894602017-05-14T20:34:00.000-04:002017-05-16T08:55:08.120-04:00Slideshow of Costa Rica Wildlife <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/84PL81Ho2Mg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="633" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/84PL81Ho2Mg?feature=player_embedded" width="1000"></iframe><br />
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During the first week of May my wife and I went to Costa Rica for our 25th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful time! I spent most of the mornings out in the local parks looking for wildlife. The nice thing is that the sun comes up around 5:30am, which gives me plenty of time to be out in nature before my wife wants to think about getting up. Over the course of the week, I saw 152 species, and 103 of them were completely new to me. I decided to put together a slide show of some of my favorite photos. I hope you enjoy it. I'll follow up with more photographs in future posts. </div>
Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-62875310782181331972017-05-02T01:18:00.000-04:002017-07-31T23:18:07.030-04:00Cave Swallow at Lake Apopka, 4/28/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymTmX-l3VA4/WQO0fujDTPI/AAAAAAABXyY/wDXEB6yZ4HUYY_vA1p0dp_vlRms1cDUzQCPcB/s1600/2017-04-28%252C%2B_MG_2734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymTmX-l3VA4/WQO0fujDTPI/AAAAAAABXyY/wDXEB6yZ4HUYY_vA1p0dp_vlRms1cDUzQCPcB/s1600/2017-04-28%252C%2B_MG_2734.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Swallow</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">On the morning of April 28th, I drove the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and found my first Cave Swallow for Orange County. In fact, it appears to be the first Cave Swallow reported on eBird in the county, though I'm quite certain others have seen them here. I almost missed this guy. It flew by me and I noticed the pale rump and squared tale. I thought it was going to be a Cliff Swallow until I got closer looks and saw those pale auriculars and throat. I'm pretty pumped!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AclePUCo1as/WQO0d8gxdLI/AAAAAAABXyY/gi2q-y9ByrMNKBh7vzKZAyMUf7wnZMVZACPcB/s1600/2017-04-28%252C%2B_MG_2676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AclePUCo1as/WQO0d8gxdLI/AAAAAAABXyY/gi2q-y9ByrMNKBh7vzKZAyMUf7wnZMVZACPcB/s1600/2017-04-28%252C%2B_MG_2676.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Swallow</td></tr>
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Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, Lake Apopka North Shore, 2803 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703, USA28.6691954 -81.5628654000000210.95464139999999986 -122.87145940000002 56.3837494 -40.254271400000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-26082055109633391162017-05-01T08:00:00.000-04:002017-05-01T08:00:07.289-04:00White Peacock<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRAqHNaP56I/WQQf6LtPW4I/AAAAAAABX30/KXvO_ivU83YpwFiat6atV4-Laz1t2E7bACPcB/s1600/2017-04-26%252C%2B_MG_2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRAqHNaP56I/WQQf6LtPW4I/AAAAAAABX30/KXvO_ivU83YpwFiat6atV4-Laz1t2E7bACPcB/s1600/2017-04-26%252C%2B_MG_2447.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Peacock<br /></td></tr>
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At Wirz Park there were several White Peacock butterflies. I have dozens of dorsal views of these butterflies, so I thought it might be fun to try a different angle on this one. It lighted facing the sun, so I decided to look straight at it and photograph it from the front. I thought the results were somewhat interesting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Peacock</td></tr>
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<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Wirz Park, 806 Mark David Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707, USA28.6507862 -81.31536660.9362162000000005 -122.6239606 56.365356199999994 -40.006772600000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-6087244821599433202017-04-30T23:44:00.000-04:002017-04-30T23:44:03.280-04:00Scarlet Skimmer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6_tqgn5tCo/WQQf6IKKL-I/AAAAAAABX30/kcH12MRZpR4FFK_iEj-rhNvN_WhMc7JdQCPcB/s1600/2017-04-26%252C%2B_MG_2406%2B%25282151%2Bx%2B1193%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6_tqgn5tCo/WQQf6IKKL-I/AAAAAAABX30/kcH12MRZpR4FFK_iEj-rhNvN_WhMc7JdQCPcB/s1600/2017-04-26%252C%2B_MG_2406%2B%25282151%2Bx%2B1193%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Skimmer<br /></td></tr>
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On April 26, I found my first Scarlet Skimmer, a beautiful male. I have red-green colorblindness, but even to my eyes, the red in this dragonfly was incredibly vibrant. He first gave me a couple nice dorsal views, but then I was able to photograph it from the side, and that became one of my absolute favorite dragonfly photos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Skimmer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Skimmer</td></tr>
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Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Wirz Park, 806 Mark David Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707, USA28.6507862 -81.31536660.9362162000000005 -122.6239606 56.365356199999994 -40.006772600000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-58780550091305020192017-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:002017-04-29T22:58:36.163-04:00Maitland Community Park, 4/25/2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-and-white Warbler<br /><br /></td></tr>
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On April 25, I returned to Maitland Community Park. One of my friends had seen a male Blackburnian Warbler there the day before. I did not find that bird, but I did see 8 species of warblers, which is pretty good for this Spring. There were a couple species that let me get fairly decent photos. I particularly like the Black-and-white Warbler photo, but American Redstarts give me fits when it comes to photography. This photo has some room for improvement, but this will do for now.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Redstart</td></tr>
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<br />Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com0Maitland Community Park, 1400 Mayo Ave, Maitland, FL 32751, USA28.637794 -81.3523440000000160.92322400000000115 -122.66093800000002 56.352363999999994 -40.043750000000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036496375255618039.post-43355456397493545132017-04-28T08:00:00.000-04:002017-04-28T08:00:01.031-04:00Central Winds Park, 4/24/2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BRsGKthoBKs/WP4U9EsgUJI/AAAAAAABWRo/sIwVPbH3JqchiWaB_uObE68KbAVu6RSagCPcB/s1600/2017-04-24%252C%2B_MG_1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BRsGKthoBKs/WP4U9EsgUJI/AAAAAAABWRo/sIwVPbH3JqchiWaB_uObE68KbAVu6RSagCPcB/s1600/2017-04-24%252C%2B_MG_1882.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rambur's Forktail (female)<br /></td></tr>
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The last time I went to Central Winds, the birding was really slow, so I had some fun looking for interesting bugs. I found a Rambur's Forktail female down by the lake. This is the first female I've photographed. Right nearby was a moth I haven't yet identified.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Moth</td></tr>
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The lake shore is also filled with these spiders, and it's very iritating that they don't have a common name. They are <i>Leucauge argyra.</i> They like to spin their webs across the trail just to give me something to do while looking for birds.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Leucauge argyra</span></i></td></tr>
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There was a little flower garden with the butterflies I posted earlier. Of course, there were also honeybees here, and one of them posed nicely for a photograph.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey Bee</td></tr>
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Scott Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349460516783179575noreply@blogger.com1Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Dr, Winter Springs, FL 32708, USA28.7068886 -81.2703361000000090.99231860000000083 -122.57893010000001 56.421458599999994 -39.961742100000009