Birds, Birds, Birds
We hope you enjoy these pictures of these splendid creatures of the wild.
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We began the new year with a trip to Paynes Prairie Preserve, near Gainsville, Florida, where thousands of Sandhill Cranes come to winter. We were unable to get close access on this trip but we saw some other birds.
Although the Sandhill Cranes did not come close, the Red-winged Black birds swarmed by in great numbers. The males have the red on their wings and the females are lighter brown.
Master flyer. At Paynes Prairie Preserve we saw this snowy egret demonstrating his superb flying skills while nabbing a small fish.
Also at Paynes Prairie Preserve this Great Blue Heron showed us how she spears fish.
We spotted the recluse American Bittern hiding in the brush at Paynes Prairie just before the sunset.
Here's a Royal Tern feeding in the shallow lagoon next to the Kennedy Space Center.
Alongside the Tern was this flock of Sandpipers who were protecting themselves from the wind.
This Wood Stork flew in on the news that the fish were floating on the water.
And he brought with him hundreds of other Wood Storks. These birds are on the endangered species list, but they've been plentiful this year.
Fishing or admiring her reflection.
Whoa! "You're not going to try to eat that whole fish, are you?"
The White Pelicans also got the word that the fishing was fantastic so they flew in as well.
That's an 8-foot wingspan on this beautiful While Pelican.
These White Pelicans convened to plan their strategy for fishing.
And with some friends they paddled toward their destination.
When the White Pelicans would see that another pelican had caught a fish they would swoop in to share in the feast. It's a sight to behold watching these birds land on the water.
And look at the blood vessels in this well-stretched pouch.
And off she goes skimming the water gracefully.
As we were watching the Wood Storks at the end of the day we heard this hoot, hoot, hoot. We spotted this Great Horned Owl sitting on a power pole. This was our first owl captured by our camera.
And off in the distance we see what the owl was hooting about, her soul mate.