Birdmania 2026 With Scott - Some Selections

[zackiedawg]

Well Scott and I got a lucky two days without rain when the weather was predicted to be 80% of rain both days...somehow it never came until we got back home from the parks.

On the list of 'rarities' or cool sightings, there were some we were able to get shots of, and some we saw but didn't get shots of (the northern harrier and roseate spoonbill were both a little too far to shoot). We did find a limpkin, Wilson's snipe, and several belted kingfishers. We also got lucky and caught some of the very first great egret chicks hatching and the first nest of 4 wood storks freshly hatched. The chuck-will's-widow stuck around and I was able to find it for Scott, and we got a lovely look at a Great Horned Owl adult and a nearby fuzzy ball of an owlet, growing but not yet ready to fly.

Chuck will's widow:

Purple martin down on the ground, gathering nest materials:

Great blue heron hauling lumber to fortify the nest - the chicks are already hatched and growing, but the parents want to make sure they're still secure until they're ready to leave:

Freshly hatched great egret - no more than a day or two out of the egg:

Osprey on lookout from a stand of cypress trees:

Great horned owl, trying to nap but peeking to make sure all is safe for its owlet nearby:

Egyptian goose in flight:

 

[Scottwdw]

Nice set, Justin!

The places we visited were situated in protected wetlands and surrounded by urban sprawl. Amazing to turn a corner on a busy boulevard into a marsh area with thousands of birds and other wildlife seemingly oblivious to the mass of human activity within feet of their homes.

Green Heron having a bad feather day scratching its neck.


Wilson's Snipe


Palm Pine Warbler


Cooter Turtle


Blue Dasher dragonfly


More to come!

 

[zackiedawg]

Looking forward to seeing more - you've got great croppability with that camera and lens combo - I had much more reach but your resolution gives you plenty of room to get in tighter.

Quick correction on the warbler above - it's a palm, not a pine.

 

[Scottwdw]

At the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, I was fascinated by the Wood Storks and how close you could get to them via the wooden boardwalk.

With adults flying between nests, getting food or bringing back sticks to the nests, there was lots of opportunities to get them in flight.


This gives you an idea how close these birds get to the boardwalk. They pretty much ignore humans.


Wood Storks on nests.


Flying overhead.


A portrait of a Wood Stork. My daughter called them flying dinosaurs.

 

[Scottwdw]

Here is my best of the adult Great Horned Owl who was peaking out through slit eyes at us.


The rest of these were photographed at the Peaceful Waters Sanctuary.

Another Green Heron. I liked the pose.


A couple of white Ibis having a disagreement. The adult (left) eventually chased off the immature.


A classic photo of a Palm Warbler.


A pair of Blue-winged Teals

 

[zackiedawg]

Excellent shots - patience paid off with the owl, finally opening its eyes...you got a very good angle in that one. Also nice shot of the dueling ibi.

 

[gary]

maybe i can make a return to bird mania in 2027, i am still feeling my way in retirement with a lesser income

 

[zackiedawg]

By the time we are ready for Birdmania 2027, I should be finished with the interior redecoration - two guest bedrooms and 2 baths available at Casa Justin to save hotel costs...to help for those retirees on a budget.

 

[Scottwdw]

Justin and I returned to the Wakodahatchee Wetlands the next day and photographed lots of action around the nests.

Male Great Egret bringing a stick back to his mate for the nest


Anhinga chick going after food brought back to the nest by his Mom/Dad via partially digested fish.


These Great Blue Heron chicks are getting close to fledgling


Wood Stork tending to his/her's chicks. There were four in this nest.


Cattle Egret in breeding plumage with a stick for its nest