Thursday, May 24, 2012

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. 


24 comments:

  1. GREEN with envy you got to see a fulvous!!!

    totally in awe of your green heron shots, too!!!

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  2. Todo un espectaculo, tu blog. Saludos

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  3. Awesome Tammy!

    I've been wondering how often Fulvous Whistling Ducks come up, since I didn't recall seeing them on your or Scott Simmon's blogs.

    Great photos here, a super lead into the weekend.

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  4. They are all gorgeous captures, Tammy.. especially the Fulvous Whistling-Duck. What a wonderful moment that must have been for you.

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  5. The Green Heron, a bird I have luckily seen in the uk, very very rare here. Great shots as ever.

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  6. Excelent pictures Tammy, as always.. Beautiful herons.. Best wishes...

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  7. Well done on adding another lifer Tammy! Have to agree with Marc, great shots,as ever!
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  8. Preciosas fotos Tammy. Son como nuestras garzas y martinetes.
    Saludos!!

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  9. Wow! Fantastic shots! You never know when you will get something new and wonderful!

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  10. Congrats on the lifer Tammy! Lovely images too!

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  11. Congratulations on your sighting and photo! It's a beautiful duck! The Little Blue Heron is gorgeous! I've never seen an immature. Love the Green Heron, too. We have them here, but they're extremely difficult to find.

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  12. Que buenas capturas, Tammy, todo un lujo de imagenes, muy propias para una revista de naturaleza.

    Saludos.

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  13. Great shots. Great blog too. Greetings.

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  14. Another great series of shots. I think the reeds actually add to the Green Heron shot, nicely done!

    Have a good weekend!

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  15. Perfect, the Green Heron is my favourite, superb.

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  16. The variety of birds where you live is amazing!
    You are quite lucky!
    Your pictures are stunning as usual and each has a story to tell!
    I love them all!
    Have a great WE Tammy!

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  17. Ooh congrats on the lifer! That young Little Blue is stunning... Amazing photo!

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  18. Hi Tammy!
    Congrat to Fulvous Whistling-Duck, your photos are stunning as allways
    Greetings from Sweden
    /Ingemar

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  19. A lovely heron feast Tammy. Lovely photographs.

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  20. Great captures. The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is beautiful and so is the Green Heron.

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  21. So lovely serie images Tammy..great work..the duck is beautiful

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  22. Congrats on the lifer! Awesome photos as always.

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  23. Very exciting outing and fantastic pics to boot.

    Way to go, Tammy!

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I greatly appreciate your comments!