Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Falling from the Sky

I took a trip to the "Click" Ponds and Viera Wetlands this past week. Nothing overly exciting going on right now, but I did have fun watching some dive bombing birds. 


As I stood near this statuesque Great Blue Heron, a motion in the distance sky caught my eye...


It was a Bald Eagle falling from the sky toward a group of Coots. (Please pardon the extremely poor photos as the Eagle was on the opposite end of the pond). The fear among the birds in the pond was palpable. It seemed inevitable that one would soon be the dinner of this incoming Eagle.


Then the Eagle seemed to have a midair change of plans. It really wasn't in the mood for a Coot after all! 


I carried on to the next corner of the pond where over 2 dozen Forster's Terns were on a feeding frenzy. They had a similar dive bomb routine going on. 




Sometimes you just gotta shake things off!


This tiny Blue-gray Gnatcatcher landed near me as I walked along the fence.


The were lots of Double-crested Cormorants hanging out. This one appeared to be the youngest of the group.


This one was really shaken up over the whole Eagle incident and refused to take its eyes of the sky. The others thought it was overreacting. Seriously though, when was the last time you saw a Eagle flying off with a Cormorant?



There are tons of baby gators at the wetlands.


And a few big ones!

30 comments:

  1. Wow Tammy great photos. Cormorants are already such angsty birds. Just looking at how nervously they flap their wings when flying...I can see how an Eagle would give one a panic attack.

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  2. really great shots! the gbh, the kestrel, terns, gators are wonderful! that eagle plummet is awesome! poor cormorant! i'd have been freaked, too!

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  3. Love the Cormorant and Kestrel shots!

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  4. I love shooting foraging terns...great stuff!

    That half-white cormorant is bizarre.

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  5. EXCELLENT pictures..... right time , right place Tammy..... very good photographed.

    Greetings, Joop

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  6. Beautiful pictures Tammy.
    Very sharp and great detail, my compliments.
    Greetings Irma

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  7. Hi Tammy, great set of pics again, love the water art the Tern is makeing, and expression on the Cormorant as it looks fearfully skyward. Also the Kestrel, it is much better marked around the head than ours, and great to see the Blue-grey Gnatcatcher give such a good photo opportunity, I have yet to see one.
    Take care and all the best Gordon.

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  8. Impresionantes fotos amiga Tammy. Siempre he dicho que tienes algo especial con las garzas, las haces unas fotos increíbles. Me gusta toda la serie.
    Saludos!!

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  9. Hi Tammy!
    Amazing serie as allways. I realy love the photo "Sometimes you just gotta shake things off", stunning capture.
    Have a nice day!

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  10. Klasse Bilder von den Seeschwalben auch die anderen Bilder sehr schön.
    Vorsicht bei den Alligatoren. (:

    Gruß
    Noke

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  11. Nice series. You must have the patience of Job! Keep up the outstanding work. -R Keith

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  12. You got some great shots Tammy! I hope all the birds stayed away from those big teeth! Eeek!
    xo Catherine

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  13. zo die zeearend heb je heel mooi .en die alligators hebben jullie daar geen last van?

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  14. I Love that Kestrel and diving tern shots! Nice stuff!

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  15. Fantastic Cormoran and Great Blue Heron.. Beautiful pictures as always.. Congrats Tammy. A regard from Madrid..

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  16. Love the Tern flight shots Tammy, lovely detail.

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  17. Wow Tammy totally awesome group of pictures. Loved the eagle coming from the sky. Good job.

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  18. This is a really nice series! Superb quality for all of them and it sure makes me want to load up and head over there - now!
    Love the Kestrel, I can't get a clear shot of one for anything. :(
    The Tern shaking the water off is terrific.

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  19. Fantastic photos! Love the terns and the kestrel! And the heron, of course. It would have been very cool had the eagle continued its dive.

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  20. Amazing pictures you show us. Certainly with the Eagle with its exciting dives. Nice photos you got and I enjoyed all of them.


    Ottar

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  21. Wonderful series of images Tammy! Love the actions shots.

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  22. Brilliant stuff Tammy, not sure where to start, I love American Kestrel and the Forster's Tern are just superb :-)

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  23. Hola Tammy otra serie fotografica maravillosa con unas imagenes de lujo.Un abrazo

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  24. Tammy. great shot! An eagle sighting is always cool. And I love to watch the Terns do their diving. The last gator shot is amazing and so close! Awesome shots, have a happy day!

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  25. Marvelous images of the birds of Viera Wetlands, they are superb.

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  26. Amazing captures of the diving Bald Eagle and acrobatic Forster's Tern. Love the statuesque Great Blue, colorful Kestrel and the poor young Cormorant searching the skies.
    Have a wonderful weekend Tammy- give little tot a hug from me ~:)

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  27. amazing set of photos
    The tern shaking it off is an unusual capture
    well done
    enjoy your weekend

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  28. Tammy, it's my dream to be around and photograph alligators. I have yet to visit Florida, and when I see images like this, it becomes an even greater imperative on the agenda. Beautiful post in every respect!

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I greatly appreciate your comments!