There was a sure sign that Spring is returning to Central Florida this morning at Mead Gardens–the lovely sound of Northern Parula singing in the Live Oak trees. It’s a very welcome sound, and I found about 5 this morning, though none posed for photographs. A pair of Wood Ducks, however, were just begging to […]
Tag: Scott Simmons
Black Vultures with Turtle Shell
At Orlando Wetlands Park last Saturday, I found a few Black Vultures that had take an keen interest in this turtle shell. I don’t know if an Allligator was the cause of the turtle’s demise or something else, but there was enough left over from whatever killed it for the vultures to take turns working […]
Turkey Vultures with Raccoon Carcass
The other day while in my car I came across a couple Turkey Vultures working on a Raccoon carcass. I was fascinated by the scene but also a little saddened by the Raccoon’s death, likely the result of a driver. But a couple fiends pointed out that Raccoons actually are one of the chief predators […]
A Guide to the Lake Jesup Conservation Area
There are many wonderful birding places around Lake Jesup, but the Lake Jesup CA easily has the most acreage. The conservation area is divided into three tracts: East Tract, North Tract, and the Marl Bed Flats Tract. All three tracts have value and are good places to visit, but finding these tracts can sometimes be […]
Joe Overstreet and E. Lake Toho, 2/9/2013
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 […]
Swamp Sparrow Weirdness
Swamp Sparrow The other day I found some odd-looking Swamp Sparrows. For comparison, I thought I’d first show a couple normal-looking Swamp Sparrows. These top two photos have either no streaking or very diffuse streaking on the breast. Swamp Sparrow This one below has streaking a little more well-defined, and I’m no good at aging […]
Orlando Wetlands Park, 2/2/2013
This morning I went to Orlando Wetlands Park. I was hoping to see the Vermilion Flycatchers that were seen there this past November, and I found both without much difficulty. They’re such a beautiful red I can’t miss them even with my red-green colorblindness. They were pretty far a way, but since they’re such pretty […]
Canal St, 1/29/2013
It doesn’t look like much, but this little fence on Canal St just south of Lake Jesup is quickly becoming one of my favorite places for photographing sparrows and other perching birds. This morning was one of my best sparrow photo days. I was hoping to find a White-crowned Sparrow here, which I didn’t find, […]