outdoor photography

Painted Bunting One of my favorite migrants, though we get to see these all winter long as well. Lately I've been considering why it is I find birding so continuously fascinating, and even addicting. Of course there's the beauty of the birds, the thrill of finding them (especially rarities), and the challenge of learning to identify them.  I also have great interest in learning about their behavior--why they act the way they do.  It's a fascinating endeavor.  But recently I've become more aware of another reason why I'm fascinated by birding--the rhythms of nature. Bald Eagle Bald Eagles are residents here in Florida, and they breed here, but thin out in the summer time. This one stole a Rock Pigeon from a Cooper's Hawk and flew off with it. I'm growing in my appreciation and understanding of this aspect of birding--I certainly have not arrived.  But year after year, I'm starting to at least appreciate the rhythms of nature in Florida and ...

Northern Pintail It's almost Christmas, and here in Florida we haven't had even a hint of winter weather--barely even a chill in the air.  It's time like these that I miss the north.  But then the time I go to Merritt Island, I feel at home again.  It's a trade off, I suppose.  I miss the genuine winter weather, but I get to see all the winter birds that come down to Florida to keep us company.  Lately I've been seeing a lot of Northern Pintail. Usually I see them mixed in with other ducks and coots, but this pair decided to swim relatively close to shore and model for me. Northern Pintail Northern Pintail Northern Pintail Northern Pintail