A Fabulous Fulvous Surprise

After a trip around the Click Ponds this morning, I decided to make one quick loop through the wetlands. We came across our regular egrets, herons, Grackles, Coots, etc. We saw about a dozen Black-bellied Whistling Ducks occupying the tops of dead Palm trees. As I drove along, a small group of Coots huddled together caught my eye as I noticed one cinnamon colored duck standing out among the crowd.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck

I stopped to get a better look and was surprised to see this lone Fulvous Whistling-Duck, a new life bird for me!

Immature Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Herons are actually pure white their first year, then change to their dark blue, adult plumage. I saw two Little Blues in the process of this transformation at the Click Ponds.

Green Heron 

I also saw 5 Green Herons in various sections of the ponds. This guy was posing nicely; if only the reeds could have cooperated! 

Great Blue Heron

 This Great Blue walked about 5 feet in front of me as I sat in the grass watching the Green Heron.

Green Heron

There is a pumping station at the ponds and the Green Heron tend to congregate beneath the structure.