It’s always fun when you get two lifers in two days. Yesterday a Lincoln’s Sparrowand this morning a Long-billed Curlew. I drove down to the Joe Overstreet Landing and had a great time there. The Curlew was very cooperative and easily found. It was hanging out with numerous Wilson’s Snipe. Then I found a Crested Caracara perched on a fence post, and it took off when I was focused on it, so I had sharp photos. Eastern Meadowlarks were very vocal on the drive into the landing, and I love hearing their calls. Occasionally one would pose on the fence for me. And on a sad but fascinating note, I found a couple Turkey Vultures that were working on a Raccoon carcass by the road.
Long-billed Curlew
Wilson’s Snipe
Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara
Eastern Meadowlark (I normally don’t photograph birds with with lighting like this, but this one had such an iconic pose, I had to try it)
Turkey Vultures
I was hoping to see a Snail Kite there too, but no luck there, so I drove up to East Lake Toho on my way home. There’s a park that runs along the southern portion of the lake (eBird calls it Kaliga Park but I haven’t seen a sign there), and Snail Kites seem to be very reliable there. In fact, I’ve seen one every time I’ve gone there. I found three there, and two were activelypatrollingthe marshes in front of me looking for Apple Snails. I saw one grab one, but I couldn’t get photos of it with its prize.
Snail Kite
Snail Kite
Scott Simmons
Scott Simmons, based in Florida, is a lover of nature, landscape, and wildlife photography. Scott became interested in photography in 2001 when he was given his first SLR camera. When he acquired a telephoto lens, he became progressively more interested in birds and other wildlife. Scott enjoys learning about bird habitats and behavior, striving always to take images that are both beautiful and interpretive. Scott believes photography is a great vehicle to help others to appreciate the wonder for the stuff of earth.
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