From this morning at the Celery Fields South Boardwalk/Pier.

And also from the Celery Fields on Thursday evening.

And a little one...

Nice set. The head on of the skimmer really shows how razor thin the beak is. Well done.

NorthernFocus said:

Nice set. The head on of the skimmer really shows how razor thin the beak is. Well done.

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Thank you, Dan.

I wish I had done a better job with the Skimmers, today. I was shooting them at a far-too-slow shutter speed, and ended up tossing a significant portion of the shots I took. I'd try the Celery Fields again tomorrow if I hadn't planned to visit Fort DeSoto on my way home tomorrow, just to try to get them right.

I plan to use this thread to share photos from throughout my trips, although it's likely going to take me a couple of months to go through all of the shots I've taken this trip, in addition to the shots I'll be taking of a water ski tournament in just over a week. I've managed to do a slight bit of culling, editing and posting from the road, but not as much as I wanted to do.

From Fort DeSoto Park today. I believe that this is a juvenile Little Blue Heron.



Overall, the Fort Desoto Park was neither what I expected, nor what I wanted. The number and variety of birds I saw was quite disappointing. Especially after hearing from two other people yesterday that it had been fantastic on Wednesday.

Apparently, I should have been there earlier in the week. I also only spent about two hours at the park, including the drive in and out. Something to think about when making my plans for next year. And I do plan to have a trip next year, likely with a different itinerary.

Edit: After a small bit of research, I've discovered, thanks to Sibley, that this LBH is in what is called the First Spring Plumage.

This Black-Hooded/Nanday Parakeet is one tough bird, eating sandspurs! Also from Fort DeSoto Park today.

No1 is an excellent shot

Les

curious what type of bird is in #6, i shot a couple of those a few weeks back in SW FL but could never figure out what they are?
Love the skimmer capture!

Lez325 said:

No1 is an excellent shot

Les

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Thank you, Les.

Dlnok said:

curious what type of bird is in #6, i shot a couple of those a few weeks back in SW FL but could never figure out what they are?
Love the skimmer capture!

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I'm no expert at identifying bird species, but I was told that it is a juvenile Little Blue Heron. Those very young are completely white, but as they get older their feathers change/morph into the blue color of the adult. This one is in that latter stage. ( An internet search on the LBH backs this up.)

And thank you; I'm pleased that you like the Skimmer shot. It was taken from the boardwalk pavilion over the Celery Fields south ponds. I went back that very evening hoping that I'd have the opportunity to photograph these birds again, but they never showed up. I was told by several people that the Skimmers were quite abundant at the beach, but less so at the Celery Fields. I feel like I was very fortunate to get to see them as I did. I missed some shots, focus wise, that I'm upset with myself over.

Whiskeyman said:

From this morning at the Celery Fields South Boardwalk/Pier.

View attachment 60928

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Great shot! Love the green background

Ralph said:

Great shot! Love the green background

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Thank you, Ralph!

The Black-Necked Stilts at the Celery Fields were quite active during my second visit. Likely due to the fact that they still had young chicks and there was a Great Blue Heron lurking around the area.

Again, from the Celery Fields, with a bit more environment this time.

And back toward the beginning of the week-long trip... From the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm. It's almost like the adult is asking what it has gotten itself into...



Or is it better cropped vertically?

At the Celery Fields, in the morning shoot, this Bittern got several of us excited...

A Snowy Egret striking a pose at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm. I could spend a month there and never get tired of shooting it!

Another Snowy at the SAAF...




And another still with breeding colors...

And a Reddish Egret from my Fort DeSoto visit.

This one didn't stick around very long, so I really didn't witness the typical Reddish Egret behavior.

And one more before I have to pay a lot of attention to the shots I'll take tomorrow at the water ski tournament, an American Oystercatcher.

Nice set. The nanday parakeets are really spreading out. I used to only see them at Ft De Soto but I heard some close to my house in Bradenton the other day.

Looks like you had a great trip. Very nice photos.

K9Kirk said:

Nice set. The nanday parakeets are really spreading out. I used to only see them at Ft De Soto but I heard some close to my house in Bradenton the other day.

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I hear that they are expanding their presence in Florida, which is a shame because they'll become a competetor to a native at some point, if they aren't already. I really wanted to get some more shots of them, but it just didn't work out.

Irap said:

Looks like you had a great trip. Very nice photos.

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It was a good trip, Ira. I believe that I was a bit late to catch the best bird action. So I'm already looking into another trip next year, and will likely try to get further south on the east coast. Maybe even down your way, but I definitely want to make it to Wakodahatchee for at least one morning and one afternoon shooting session. Then I'd like to visit the Great Cypress area for a couple of days followed by possibly two days at Fort DeSoto. I'm still working out the possibilities between current commitments at home and work. Since the gates of Fort Desoto open so late, I may rent or borrow a small camper so that I can actually stay within the park to get the best light. Then again, if I go early enough in the year, sunrise will be later and Imight not need to.

And thank you for the compliment.

A Barred Owl on Blue Cypress Lake...

Yes, it's a shame, they're pretty birds. They will probably be greatly hated years from now, some people don't like them just because they're so noisy. That's understandable if you want peace & quiet.