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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| American Coots |
The Blue-winged Teal found the whole ordeal amusing, but he wasn't getting in the water either!
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| Blue-winged Teal Viera Wetlands |
Hi Tammy
ReplyDeleteThanks for these wonderful pictures....they are fantastic, specially the catching fish....good timing.
Greetings, Joop
Thank you for your comments Joop!
DeleteGreat shots, Tammy. Hope you didn't go for a swim with that 'gator lurking!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeremy! I thought about a swim...
DeleteGreat shots of beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteSo scary with the gator.
Thanks so much!
DeleteWonderful images and narration Tammy. I love how the teal appears to be laughing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Mia!
Deletegorgeous shots, as always, tammy! the tri-color is beautiful! your shots of the crow and cormorant are perfect, too. as for the coots following the gator, you know what they say about the allure of a bad boy... :)
ReplyDeleteToo funny Tex! They were definitely falling for it..
DeleteAmazing shots Tammy..the last photo..the duck/blue winged)..his smile=D..lovely
ReplyDeleteThank you very much:)
DeleteBeauties. They are simply brilliant to look at, superb photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Bob!
DeleteImpresionante el caiman y las especies que nos muestras.
ReplyDeleteSaludos!!
Gracias Ramon!
DeleteMore amazing images Tammy, but I have come to expect nothing less!
ReplyDeleteThank you for you kind comments:)
DeleteBlack Birds and interesting stories.. Great pictures Tammy.. Un saludo..
ReplyDeleteGracias Ana!
DeleteThe coloration on the Tri-Colored Heron is stunning. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurence! I hope to see him again soon sporting the crimson legs...
DeleteI don't know if I've ever seen a Fish Crow look so handsome! And I love the Blue-winged Teal just laughing it up!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing. I was thinking I needed some of his shine for my hair:)
DeleteWonderful pics, love the Alligator/Coot scenario :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan; glad there was a happy ending for the Coots!
DeleteHello Tammy,
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of all these different birds.
But the shot of the Heron is really fantastic!! A very special heron for me which i have never seen before. Wonderful with his dark color and blue beak.
Much greetings,
Marco
The Tricolored Heron did look especially beautiful in its breeding display! Thank you for commenting.
DeleteThe crow and the american coots are my favorite. But all are beautiful pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments!
DeleteMadison, Florida, would be a great birding destination for you and that camera of yours! Those are some awsome photos!!
ReplyDeleteMadison, Florida, is located in the north-central part of the state and is the home of three rivers, numerous lakes, swamps and natural springs, all of them favorites of birds and birders alike. Our population density is quite low and eco-tourists are always welcome.
Sounds like a great place Rick! I'll have to keep that in mind when I am in that part of Florida.
DeleteLove the heron! Wish we had that species. The crow shots are beautiful! I'm beginning to think coots aren't the brightest birds in the world. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Tricolored Heron is great little bird, much smaller than the gBH. I was beginning to think that about the Coots as well. I really couldn't believe they were following him. Your photos of the skating Coots were great!
Deleteyour crow is amazing! black is hard to shoot and you did great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachelle! I was happy he cooperated!
DeletePreciosa aves,con una nitidez asombrosa, buenos disparos.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Gracias Jesus!
DeleteWhat a wonderful visual treat. So many beautiful subjects; lucky you!
ReplyDeleteWow, amazing serie as allways Tammy!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Sweden
/Ingemar
Hola Tammy como siempre me sosprendes con tus magnificas imagenes todas muy buenas.Un fuerte abrazo
ReplyDeleteHello Tammy,
ReplyDeleteGreat photo series, congratulations. Situation is quite dangerous on pictures 7 and 8, isn't it? I very like birds and we have quite similar species here in Hungary. Its Latin name is Fulica atra. Thanks for sharing these moments!
Have a great day. Greetings, Miklos
Stunning birds Tammy. I really like the heron of course but the Fish Crow is a smart, sleek looking bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Tammy !
ReplyDeleteTammy, excellent shots! Love the close-up of the coots and teal. The crow shots are spectacular. I learned some about the fish crow as well. I saw my first one ever down in Ft. Myers back in 2003. Now fish crows are seen as far north as where I live! Great post!
ReplyDeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!!!
My favorite is the heron. What a beautiful bird!