Say What???

I took a mid morning stroll through the wetlands yesterday with my now 2-year old. We didn't cover a very large area, but we did enjoy the interesting birds and behaviors we observed, particularly this pair of terns.

Caspian Terns
Viera Wetlands

Caspian Terns
Viera Wetlands

We came upon these terns as they stood in the road engaging in what appeared to be a heated discussion. These terns produce some interesting loud, harsh croaking sounds.

Amidst the discussion, this tern regurgitated something...

While Caspian Terns are known to provide for their offspring for extended periods, I don't believe that was this tern's intention. Caspian Terns typically feed their young whole fish. Both birds seemed perplexed by the strange object excreted by the tern.

The second tern tried to get a better look.

There was some discussion about what sort of things this tern has been consuming....meatballs???

He decided to plead the fifth...

Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

The Blue-Winged Teal and Limpkin were both so kind to pose for us.

Limpkin
Viera Wetlands

Northern Mockingbird
Viera Wetlands

The caterpillars don't stand much of a chance against the hungry birds!

Great Blue Herons
Viera Wetlands

This adolescent GBH appeared to be letting mom know it was time for lunch!

Birding Fun

Here is some additional birding fun from last weekend.  This beautiful Fish Crow seemed more than happy to strike a pose.

Fish Crow
Click Ponds

 The Fish Crow is one of two Crows found here in Florida. The Fish Crow is smaller than the American Crow with shorter legs as well as a shorter bill. It also has longer wings and a longer tail.

Fish Crow
Click Ponds

This Tricolored Heron is developing its breeding plumage. During breeding season, the heron's bill becomes  deep blue with a black tip. The heron also displays buff-colored plumes from the back of its head and crimson red legs, which were just developing for this heron.

Tricolored Heron
Click Ponds

Catching a fish and eating it on the go was quite a task for this Cormorant as his fish repeatedly got away from him.

Double-crested Cormorant
Viera Wetlands

Well, this next scene is not really birding fun, it is more like birding terror. I'm happy to report there was no loss of life for any Coot. It sure had me on the edge of my seat, as well as wondering  why over the past few weeks this scene seems to be playing out each time I visit the ponds or wetlands...

The part I found quite strange was, after the gator passed, the Coots began to closely follow gator, all the way to the shore. I would be running, if not flying, the opposite direction...

This group of Coots at the wetlands seemed to be a little more on the concerned side as they conducted an evacuation drill, or maybe there really was a gator on the prowl. Most of the large flock of Coots was lined up wing to wing on the shore.  The Coots often fall prey to the gators here as well as some of the raptors that patrol the wetlands, such as Bald Eagles and Crested Caracara.

American Coots

The Blue-winged Teal found the whole ordeal amusing, but he wasn't getting in the water either!

Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

Dirty Ducks

Northern Shoveler
Viera Wetlands

The most eye catching  feature of a Northern Shoveler tends to be its oversized bill. I came across this preening male at the Viera Wetlands this past weekend. As the Shoveler preened I was able to get a look of its bill from every angle.

The Northern Shoveler has an elongated bill, with the shape being similar to that of a Spoonbill only on a much smaller scale. Their bill also has comb-like protrusions on its edges which help strain the water from the food when the Shoveler is foraging.

A female Blue-winged Teal arrived and decided her feathers needed some maintenance as well.

Female Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

Next, the male Blue-winged Teal came by, but he claimed he was clean enough.

Male Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

Back Again

To the Viera Wetlands and Click Ponds, that is. There really are alot of great places to go birding around here, but the wetlands are really close. 

Glossy Ibis
Click Ponds

Glossy Ibis can found regularly at both the Click Ponds and the wetlands. This beautiful bird is most often found foraging in the mud or shallow waters along the shores of the wetlands. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Viera Wetlands



This Red-bellied Woodpecker, which actually has a red head, not a red belly, was enjoying a day of tree hopping.

 

Hooded Merganser
Viera Wetlands

  I spotted 4 Hooded Mergansers,
2 male and 2 female, all actively diving for food.





  



Osprey
Viera Wetlands



Belted Kingfisher
Viera Wetlands

This Belted Kingfisher was on the prowl for his next meal.



Male Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

 This Teal was showing a little wing during his preening.


Female Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

This female Teal hanging out with a Coot, close to the other group of 1 male and 4 female teals. I wonder if they kicked her out.



Ring-necked Ducks
Click Ponds

 Not a decent photo, but this group of Ring-necked Ducks was spotted in the middle of the second pond.

Click Ponds and Viera Wetlands

Sunset
Viera Wetlands
Brevard County, Florida

Enjoyed a short, early evening visit to the Viera Wetlands and Click Ponds this past weekend. Just a few of the regulars...



Great Blue Heron
Viera Wetlands



Looks like nesting time for the Great Blue Herons! The herons can be seen nesting on these palm trees each year.

Drying Anhinga
Viera Wetlands

Green Heron
Click Ponds

Blue-winged Teal Pair
Viera Wetlands

Double-crested Cormorant
Click Ponds

Belted Kingfisher
Viera Wetlands