outdoor photography

Meadow Beauty 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. Butterfly Pea 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. Rose Rush 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 severa...

Yesterday I spent the morning walking the trails of the Lower Wekiva River Preserve. I spent more time there than I have before, so I walked a lot farther.  Normally I walk to Marker F (the yellow star in the middle of the above frame) and then return.  But since I had more time I decided to walk farther.  I continued walking northeast until I ended up at a hardwood canopy. The trail got very wet, so I turned around.  Back home I found some new features on Google Maps that allow you to make maps and embed them in blogs, so I thought I'd give it a try. I drew the trails I normally walk and then put markers down for some of the sightings.  You can also embed photos in the markers.  So I thought I'd give it a try to see if it may be beneficial. I like this, but it may be more work to do than I want to do.  But we'll see. Maybe I'll do it for some of my favorite trails. Swallow-tailed Kite I was hoping to find a Red-headed Woodpecker; I heard one,...

Halloween Pennant I had high hopes this morning.  Back in January I'd seen at least 5 Red-headed Woodpeckers in this park, and I was hoping some would stick around to breed.  I had also learned that recently there was a controlled burn, so I was hoping this might attract some new species, like Hairy Woodpeckers.  However, I struck out on both counts. I still think Red-headed Woodpeckers may be around; it's a very big park with lots of places for them to nest, so perhaps if I try a few different routes I may find one. But the one cavity they excavated has been taken over by Great Crested Flycatchers. I found only the normal species that I usually find here. Bachman's Sparrow   I visited the area where there was a Bachman's Sparrow nest last year, and found them again not too far away from where there had nested a year ago. And I did have fun watching a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher with a tasty meal.  But I suppose the biggest highlight was seeing a few Hallo...

Carolina Chickadee I had an absolute blast this morning at the Lower Wekiva River Preserve. I wasn't planning to go here this morning; I have to get here pretty early to walk the trail I enjoy most, and I normally don't have the time.  But my son missed his bus this morning, so I drove him to school, which is only about 10 minutes from the park), and this allowed me to get to the park early enough to walk my favorite trail.  It's a beautiful trail through pine scrub habitat, and just to the east there are breeding Florida Scrub Jays. I'm not able to get onto that property to see them, but I keep hoping one would venture into this park for me.  Sadly that was not to be the case today.  However, shortly after arriving, I started seeing Red-headed Woodpeckers--my first target bird.  In all I saw four of them, and I may have heard a fifth, but it's possible I heard one that I later saw. Three of the birds I saw this morning were in the same general area I'd seen...

Lower Wekiva River Preserve The Lower Wekiva River Preserve is located just east of the Wekiva River and north of rte 46 in Sanford FL. There are two parking areas, one on rte 46 and the other on Wekiva Park Dr at Katie's Landing. Katie's Landing is nicer, has restrooms, and gets to to my favorite parts of the park faster, but you're supposed to pay $3 in an envelope slot there. Trails There are over 18 miles of trails [ trail map ] through some wonderful pine forests. I discovered this park in May, but it's becoming one of my favorite places to visit. From Katie's Landing you cross the street, and you'll see a sign for the trail head. There are paper maps there. I always get one because the trail blazes are often absent. Intersections of the trails are lettered on the map and on posts along the trail. I usually meander northeast for about half the time I have available to me, and then I meander back a different way. I enjoy walking up to G and then down ...

Red-headed Woodpecker I was well over a mile away from my car when it started to rain. It was a drizzle at first, but eventually, it became a downpour. I wasn't expecting rain, so I didn't have my camera bag or binocular bag with me.  I was forced to tuck everything under my shirt and hat and hope for the best. And interestingly, it was really slow for me until it began to drizzle, and then the birds came out to play.  Yellow-rumped, Pine and Palm Warblers were numerous all around me. There were also  about 15 Eastern Bluebirds and about 3 Red-headed Nuthatches.  Then I heard a Red-headed Woodpecker calling--the first I've ever found in this park. After finding, it I continued to walk the path back to the car, and I found 5 more!  I've never seen so many in one place. All were in the same general area.  After I saw my sixth, there was a little break in the rain, so I decided to walk the area again and recount. On my second pass I saw 4 and heard 1 more....

Swamp Sparrow Today I visited the Lower Wekiva River Preserve before work. I walked by a patch of tall grasses there that seemed completely out of place. I remember thinking it would be a good spot for sparrows. On the way back, I caught a glimpse of one; then this one popped out in full view. In the warm morning light it looks very different from the way Swamp Sparrows normally look to my eyes, and I think they're actually a little prettier this way. Swamp Sparrow Swamp Sparrow

Lower Wekiva River Preserve I went to the Lower Wekiva River Preserve this morning, hoping to confirm breeding of Bachman's Sparrows.  I found a probable nest site there a little over a month ago, but I've never been able to confirm that they're breeding there.  This morning, all that changed.  I arrived at the site and almost immediately the sparrow below popped up on a branch.  Adult Bachman's Sparrows have no streaks on the chest or sides, so this one is juvenile. Bachman's Sparrow Bachman's Sparrow (Juvenile) It was also fun to see a couple White-tailed Deer.  They were right at the entrance to the trail, and they didn't seem to mind me much as I approached. White-tailed Deer I also came across this fly.  It was flying near me, and it seemed really loud.  When it landed I decided to see if I could get some photos.  Some turned out pretty well.  After getting home, I searched the internet to see if I could find out w...

Osprey Central Winds Park So June Challenge has begun.  If you're not a Florida birder, June Challenge is a friendly competition among birders.  You choose a county and find as many birds as you can in the county during the month of June.  June is hot, and migration is pretty much over.  I had some time go out yesterday, and a little time this morning.  Highlights so far are seeing a Chuck-Will's Widow and a Great Horned Owl at the Econ River Wilderness Area and also seeing a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Bachman's Sparrow at the Lower Wekiva River Preserve.  It was also fun to see a bat crawling up a tree.  I've never seen one outside during the daytime before. Ospreys and Great Blue Herons are common year-round here, but it's still fun to see them. Great Blue Heron Central Winds Park Bachman's Sparrow Lower Wekiva River Preserve Common Ground-Dove Lower Wekiva River Preserve Some Kind of Bat Lower Wekiva River Preserve

Great Crested Flycatcher This morning I drove out to the Lower Wekiva River Preserve in northeast Seminole County.  I was hoping to find a Bachman's Sparrow here.  After walking about 2 miles or so, I found two, and it looked like they were paired.  Unfortunately, they didn't stay out in the open long enough for photos, but it was good just to find them.  Hopefully the next time I visit they'll be more cooperative.  I also had a chance to see a couple Great Crested Flycatchers.  This one was calling from the tree where its nest cavity is located.  So I took a few pictures and then let him be. Great Crested Flycatcher I also took some photos of the scenery with my point and shoot camera. Trees at Lower Wekiva River Preserve Trees at Lower Wekiva River Preserve