I went out to the wetlands yesterday, hoping to see the lone male Bufflehead that has been around the past few days. I spotted him in middle of the southern end of cell 2. We observed him for a little over half an hour. The Bufflehead mostly went about his business, foraging alone, but occasionally tagged along with a nearby group of Hooded Mergansers.
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| Bufflehead |
Watching the Bufflehead preen was amusing. He rolled on to his side and swam in circles as he cleaned his feathers.
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| Bufflehead & Hooded Merganser |
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| Bufflehead |
The Great Blue Herons are hard at work these days. The females are perched upon their chosen Palm Trees.
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| Great Blue Heron |
The males are gathering materials to construct their nests.
This Limpkin was searching for apple snails.
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| Limpkin |
This scene made me smile. Coots are very common and numerous this time of the year at the wetlands. This was the first time though, that I saw a Coot eating off the back of a turtle! The turtle didn't seem to mind the free cleaning.
Eastern Phoebes are also common this time of year.
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| Eastern Phoebe |
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| Ruddy Duck |
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| Red-tailed Hawk |
I saw this young Red-tailed Hawk on a light post near the wetlands.
