Sparrows of Lust Rd, 1/1/2014

White-crowned Sparrow

Yesterday I drove out to Lust Rd., which is a road that takes you very close to Lake Apopka.  It actually can take you all the way to the lake, but at one point it's fenced off, preventing you from entering the restoration area.  But the road near the fence is a pretty great place to look for sparrows.  Yesterday I found 5 species and photographed four: Savannah , White-crowned, Vesper, Field and Grasshopper Sparrows.  The Field Sparrow is the first I've seen in Orange Co., and only the second I've seen in Florida. 

Vesper Sparrow

Field Sparrow

Grasshopper Sparrow

This is also the area where I found my first Western Tanager.  I see Blue-headed Vireos here frequently this time of year, but this is a species that seems rather adept at preventing me from getting good photos.  I usually end up with a cluttered background behind these birds whenever I get them in my sights.  Yesterday morning gave me my best photos so far, but I still have work to do. Hopefully I'll be able to improve on this before they leave us in the Spring.

Blue-headed Vireo