outdoor photography

Black-bellied Whistling Duck This morning I dropped by Orlando Wetlands Park for about an hour before heading to work.  It was fun to see a Roseate Spoonbill and three American White Pelicans, though they did not want to pose in good light for me.  The most interesting find, though, was a Belted Kingfisher, which is unusual here this time of year. Belted Kingfisher Also fun to find was a young Sandhill Crane; it's nearly full grown and getting new feathers.  All the normal wading bird were there, and a Cattle Egret flew by in good light for a photo.  Snowy Egrets were flying low over the water picking fish out of the water.  At one point, it appeared to be running on top of the water. Sandhill Crane Cattle Egret Snowy Egret Boat-tailed Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Red-winged Blackbird I also found this Florida Green Watersnake, the first I've seen and photographed. Florida Green Watersnake

Red-shouldered Hawk We had a pretty good morning at Orlando Wetlands Park. We didn't see anything terribly unusual, but there were some fun photographic moments.  Well, not so fun for rabbits.  One of the first sights we saw was a Red-shouldered Hawk with a rabbit (perhaps a Marsh Hare).  We also saw several Purple Gallinules, and one was pretty close, allowing me to get some photos.  On the way back, we saw a Sora and a Sandhill Crane fledgling walking with his parents near by. Purple Gallinule Sora Sandhill Crane Little Blue Heron

Snowy Egret This morning I went to Orlando Wetlands Park with about 5 other people, and we had a pretty great time.  It was cloudy and threatened rain all morning, but it never really did.  Purple Gallinules were out in force--I counted 12. Purple Gallinule A couple Sandhill Cranes also decided to sing their lovely song at close range. Sandhill Crane Cattle Egrets My companions for the morning were also very interested in the flowers and butterflies, and it occurred to me that I often do just pass them by without much thought. Queen Ornate Bella Moth Four-spotted Penant Oats Grama

Sandhill Crane Every couple weeks I visit Red Bug Lake Park to see the Sandhill Crane family that is there.  Every time I go, the chicks have more than doubled in size.  Now they're long past the "cute" stage, and it looks to me like some flight feathers are finally starting to come in.  I wonder if the next time I visit them will be the last before they're fledged.  The "little" ones are still taking food from their parents, but they also are foraging for themselves. Sandhill Crane Sandhill Crane Sandhill Crane Sandhill Crane that found what looks like a Crayfish

Sandhill Cranes On my way home from work yesterday I went by Redbug Park to find the Sandhill Cranes.  They were out foraging in the grass, and they had a little bit of an audience.  Thankfully everyone was respectful of their space, but honestly I don't think they were concerned about any of us in the least.  It's fun to see the chicks growing up.  The parents are still feeding them, but the two chicks are trying to find food on their own too.  And they are probably more than twice the size they were when I photographed them just two weeks ago.  They seem to be exiting the "cute" phase, but I think their still fascinating to watch. Sandhill Cranes I met a fellow photographer there whom I've interacted with before on line, but never met in person.  It was great to meet a kindred spirit in person.  He mentioned to me that the last time he was there one of the adults had gotten its legs tangled up in something, probably fishing line. ...

Sandhill Cranes A few weeks ago at Circle B Bar, it was great to see two Sandhill Cranes at their nest caring for their eggs. Two eggs were visible from the path; we dared not leave the path for fear of disturbing the nest.  It was fun to see them take turns guarding the nest while the other left to forage for food. Sandhill Cranes Sandhill Cranes 

Sandhill Cranes At Red Bug Lake Park, there are currently two Sandhill Cranes with two chicks.  I saw them yesterday, but I didn't have my nice camera, so I went back this afternoon to find them again.  It was so fun to see the parents forage for the chicks and feed them.  I photographed them for about a half an hour today before I had to go home.  It looks like I may have to return from time to time to see how they grow. Sandhill Cranes Sandhill Cranes  Sandhill Cranes  Sandhill Cranes  Sandhill Cranes 

Sandhill Cranes, Viera Wetlands Perhaps because they are so large, Sandhill Cranes seem not to be to be the least concerned with my presence.    These are huge birds.  They can be as tall as 5ft, and they can have a wingspan of over 6ft.  Frequently I'll see them walking toward me, and I'll just stand still; they'll walk by me within a few feet of me.  It's kind of funny when I take my 5-yr old daughter to the park and she's greeted by birds that are taller than she.  There's a family of four that I see at Orlando Wetlands Park almost every time I go.  The photos below are from there. Sandhill Cranes Sandhill Cranes Sandhill Cranes (I believe one of these two is the juvenile pictured above)  Sandhill Cranes Sandhill Crane