Florida Gulf Coast Creations

Tag: Save The Habitat

  • Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

    Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

    Thanks to my good friend Art Nadelman, I was able to locate a recent migrant to the area. Scissor-tailed flycatchers are found mainly in Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico. Occasionally their winter migration route to southern Central America takes them a little off course and they can end up here in Florida. They’re fun to watch as they sit along utility wires and fences waiting for insects to fly by. Then they burst into action and snag their meal.

    Scissor Tailed Flycatcher Returning To Perch With A Bug
    Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Returning to a Perch with a Bug

    For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Mergansers

    Mergansers

    The hooded mergansers have begun arriving for the winter. We often find them on small retention ponds around the area until February. They are typically wary but this flock of around 15 birds found a small little pond to their liking next to a very busy intersection. I seldom get an opportunity for a decent photo of a bird that is sharply backlit, but the reflections worked this time.

    Hooded Merganser Female Backlit On Small Pond With Reflection
    Female Hooded Merganser Swimming in a Pond with Backlighting

    For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Bald Eagles

    Bald Eagles

    Bald eagles have gotten very active as the mating season has begun. This always offers some good photo opportunities. The birds are active hunting for food and nesting materials. We are fortunate to have a pair that built a nest a few years ago that is very easy to photograph.

    A few pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Snail Kites

    Snail Kites

    Yesterday we endured a 2+ hour ride with hopes of finding some beautiful scissortail flycatchers. But the flycatchers apparently decided to move to a different undisclosed location. So instead of photographing flycatchers, we had the pleasure of watching and capturing some images of 3 snail kites.

    Snail Kite Female Searching For Snails
    Female Snail Kite Hovering Over the Water

    These are amazing birds that glide across shallow waters hunting for huge apple snails. They are about the size of a crow. They are native to central and south America but are only found in Florida in the US. The snail kites in Florida are now listed as endangered because of habitat loss.

    Snail Kite Female Perched On Sign
    Female Snail Kite Sits on Top of a Sign Ready to Eat Her Meal

    For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Central Florida Hummingbirds

    Central Florida Hummingbirds

    Last Friday we went to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL to photograph a rufous hummingbird. They are most likely to be found in the western US. But they are appearing more frequently in other parts of the country. Their copper and green colors are striking.

    A few more pictures from this journey are featured below. For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

  • Florida Scrub Jays

    Florida Scrub Jays

    Last week, thanks to some help from good friend Art Nadelman, I finally got the opportunity to photograph a family of Florida Scrub Jays. The jays are only seen in specific areas of central Florida and are on the endangered species list. They are curious and friendly which makes for some fun action. Several companies and organizations are stepping up conservation efforts to maintain and enhance habitat for the birds.

    Florida Scrub Jay Watching From Top Of Shrub
    Juvenile Florida Scrub Jay Watching from the Top of a Scrub Oak
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating Acorn
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating an Acorn
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating Acorn Heart
    Florida Scrub Jay Eating an Acorn Heart

    For a larger selection of photos, go to the galleries listed.

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