A Buffle Bath

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.

Bufflehead

Watching the Bufflehead preen was amusing. He rolled on to his side and swam in circles as he cleaned his feathers.

Bufflehead & Hooded Merganser

Bufflehead

The Great Blue Herons are hard at work these days. The females are perched upon their chosen Palm Trees.

Great Blue Heron

The males are gathering materials to construct their nests.

This Limpkin was searching for apple snails.

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.

Eastern Phoebe

Ruddy Duck

Red-tailed Hawk

I saw this young Red-tailed Hawk on a light post near the wetlands.

Viera Wetlands 03/03/12

Limpkin

I didn't have a lot of time for birding this past weekend, but I did  managed to slip in a few short trips the wetlands and Click Ponds. Here are a few feathered friends I caught up with, and one reptile.

Female Red-winged Blackbird

Female Red-winged Blackbird

Male Red-winged Blackbird

Savannah Sparrow

Hooded Merganser

American Alligator

Viera Wetlands at Sunset

Changing things up this week, I headed over to the wetlands after work on Monday. I decided to diverge from the usual activities as I noticed the sky displaying some unusual cloud formations. The wetlands is a great place for sunsets, which I thought these clouds might bring.

I saw the usual variety of herons, waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors. I also spotted a Wilson's Snipe, which I have only seen there on one other occasion. This fellow only made a split second appearance and was off. This is a photo of the one I saw at the Wetlands in November of 2010.

Wilson's Snipe
Viera Wetlands

This Hooded Merganser was doing its best to camouflage itself among the hundreds of Coots.

Palm Warbler
Viera Wetlands

Red-winged Blackbird
Viera Wetlands

Most of clouds dispersed by the time the sun went down, but we enjoyed the sunset none the less.

Back Again

To the Viera Wetlands and Click Ponds, that is. There really are alot of great places to go birding around here, but the wetlands are really close. 

Glossy Ibis
Click Ponds

Glossy Ibis can found regularly at both the Click Ponds and the wetlands. This beautiful bird is most often found foraging in the mud or shallow waters along the shores of the wetlands. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Viera Wetlands



This Red-bellied Woodpecker, which actually has a red head, not a red belly, was enjoying a day of tree hopping.

 

Hooded Merganser
Viera Wetlands

  I spotted 4 Hooded Mergansers,
2 male and 2 female, all actively diving for food.





  



Osprey
Viera Wetlands



Belted Kingfisher
Viera Wetlands

This Belted Kingfisher was on the prowl for his next meal.



Male Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

 This Teal was showing a little wing during his preening.


Female Blue-winged Teal
Viera Wetlands

This female Teal hanging out with a Coot, close to the other group of 1 male and 4 female teals. I wonder if they kicked her out.



Ring-necked Ducks
Click Ponds

 Not a decent photo, but this group of Ring-necked Ducks was spotted in the middle of the second pond.