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.
Such beauty! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
Buffleheads are beautiful birds with their striking black and white feather design.
ReplyDeleteGreat series of shots, Tammy. Especially the Red-tailed hawk in flight.
Nicely done!
Beautiful birds series, well photographed.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, Irma
Una seguenza di foto davvero bella e ben curata....complimenti.
ReplyDeleteAuguri...
Vito
een heerlijke mooie serie.knap gedaan.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful displaying birds, photographed in an excellent way. Exciting to see new species that we don't have here in Norway. Enjoyed the whole series.
ReplyDeleteWish you happy new year.
Ottar
sweet shots, once again, tammy! the coot cleaning is cute! nice to see the gbhs in breeding color already!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Tammy, I do love the Limpkin and by far the best is the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, amazing.
ReplyDeleteVery good pictures Tammy .. I hope 2013 will bring plenty of light in your life and in your photos .. Happy New Year ..
ReplyDeleteJealous of that blue sky, something which seems to have not been seen for weeks around Kent in the UK.
ReplyDeleteHola Tammy espectaculares imgenes que nos muestras como siempre en tu blog.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteGreat variety, and I like the Heron's and Limpkin's close-up. The turtle image is very funny too.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful variety of birds seen at the wetlands. Fantastic captures of the Bufflehead as well as the other birds featured in this wonderful post. I really love the close-ups! You are quite the gifted photographer, Tammy!
ReplyDeleteWow sharp shots Tammy!
ReplyDeleteThose Bufflehead and real beauties, and not the easiest to photograph. Nice work!
Que maravilla Tammy. Las garzas te salen impresionantes.
ReplyDeleteFeliz 2013!!
I absolutely love the coot & turtle image, seeing that would have made me smile too!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! I really like the first shot.
ReplyDeleteThis post is incredibly beautiful! the bufflehead with the open wings is a real wonder of Nature. the working heron looks so serious and conscious, more than most human beings ;-) ..the "dont mind turtle" feels very comfortable and so would I at her place.. I could go on. every picture has his own expression. Good work!!
ReplyDeleteTammy,I wish you the best in the new year, happiness health and thousands of those great "meetings" in the nature.
Dany
I love the title of this post Tammy, so funny :) Birds are such curious looking creatures, I don't know why but I think ducks must have a sense of humour, they seem so silly. I love the heron with the stick in its mouth. Now that I've seen the size of the stick, I can only imagine the size of its nest!
ReplyDeleteLove the Bufflehead. I thinks ducks are one of favorites. Beautiful shots. Happy New Year, here's to more great birding.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images as yours always are. Love that hawk. Also, the bird that seems to be moving the turtle along, "get off of my log!"
ReplyDeleteHilarious about the coot eating off the turtle- never seen anything like it. Love the shots of the heron collecting twigs too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos as always Tammy! Too funny about the coot nibbling off the turtle's back. :o)
ReplyDeleteSo much wildlife! Awesome. Have a great New Year!
ReplyDeleteNice pictures Tammy!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year / Kenny
Ti auguro un 2013 che inizi bene, prosegua come desideri e che termini con grandi soddisfazioni.
ReplyDeleteTi auguro di camminare su una strada chiamata vita, di inciampare in una pozza chiamata fortuna, di cadere in un abisso chiamato felicità.
Ti auguro un amore sincero accanto a te che sappia comprenderti e guardarti nel cuore con amore
per ciò che sei.
Great post here too!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how this hawk looks like our Common buzzard!
The close-ups on the heron are just amazing!
Cheers Tammy!