Great egret

Birds of a Feather

/ TheNextHalfInOhio / Leave a comment

I’m not a “birder” not in any real sense anyway. But I enjoy birds…seeing them…hearing them…learning about them. Especially birds I don’t normally see. Perhaps that’s why I so enjoy spending some time in Florida during the winter. Well, that and the warm weather and sunshine too!

Shorebirds come to mind first. Like this Black-necked stilt. A beautiful little thing that looks like it could have been hand painted; its coloration is exquisite. You’ll find them wading along the shallow edges of lakes and ponds, marshes and other wetlands in search of food such as a variety of insects, crayfish, tadpoles, frogs and fish. With long pink legs, a thin relatively long bill, and black and white coloring, it’s quite distinguishable – even from a distance.

Another common shorebird that is seen quite often is the Greater yellowlegs (although I could be wrong about this ID and this may be the Lesser yellowlegs). It’s always been hard for me to distinguish the two if they aren’t in closer proximity to compare sizes. They also prefer wetland areas. You will often see them striding along in the water and sometimes even running after a small fish.

These two white beauties also love the lakes, ponds and wetland areas. The Great egret (larger bird) and the Snowy egret. Different in size? Definitely. But there’s also other differences in these two. The Great egret has a yellow bill and black feet. The Snowy egret has a black bill and yellow feet though they don’t show in this photo.

And here’s what those yellow feet look like!

But that’s not the only white shorebird you may see. This photo is of an immature Little Blue heron. I read something interesting on the Audubon website which suggested nature helps protect the immature Little Blue because it allows them to feed with flocks of Snowy egrets which stir up prey. Another distinguishing feature of this bird is it’s rather pale greenish legs.

And for comparison, this is an adult Little Blue heron. Quite different with its gray-blue coloring and tinges of maroon on the head and neck.

Did I mention that Florida has a LOT of white birds? This is a White ibis. Very distinctive with its long curbed bill and mesmerizing pale blue eyes. They’re very large wading birds with a body shaped almost like a football. You will see them quite often as they are numerous there. You will often see them in large flocks. One of the interesting things about the White ibis is that they’re not all white. They have black wing tips which you only see when in flight.

A somewhat similar sized bird is the Limpkin, with it’s “siren-like” call of alarm when they feel the need to warn of humans in the area. Limpkins tend to walk with a halting high-stepping gait, and I’ve read that may be why they were named as they were (limp-kin).

Limpkins are one of the few birds whose numbers are actually increasing over the last few years in Florida. It is believed this may be due to the increase of an invasive island apple snail there. Apple snails make up a large portion of the Limpkins diet. With the increase in food, the birds may be thriving.

This Roseate spoonbill was almost as curious about me as I was about her (or him). Roseate spoonbills are a medium to large bird – larger than a White Ibis but smaller than a Great Blue heron. They are white and pink, with rather vivid pink shoulders and rears (although this photo doesn’t show that). Juveniles are similarly colored but are paler, and they sport a feathered head for three years before they obtain their vivid breeding plumage. It’s quite possible that this could be a juvenile based upon what I’ve read.

According to Wikipedia, their vivid pink coloring comes from pigments (canthaxanthin carotenoid) in the food they eat.

Here’s a better shot of that spoonbill which is used quite well when foraging in shallow water for food. They swing their head back and forth in the water with their bill partially open to catch invertebrates. These spoonbills are quite social. They eat, nest and roost in groups.

Here’s an example of the socialization. There are many different birds in this photo that may not be readily identifiable, but some are Great egrets, Wood storks, White ibis, Glossy ibis and Roseate spoonbills.

This is a Glossy ibis. Similar long curved bill as the White ibis but the Glossy’s bill is a blue/black color. Most of it’s feathers appear nearly black except when the sun hits it just right and you see the glorious maroon and blue colored feathers along its back. The Glossy ibis is another medium sized wading bird. It’s breeding plumage can be much more vividly colored. They forage in shallow marshy areas and lower their bill into the muddy, silty water to feel for prey. They eat worms, insects, crabs, shrimp, frogs, toads and snakes, among other things.

They too spend their time socializing in flocks and nest in colonies of Ibis as well as other types of nesting birds such as egrets and herons. They lay three or four eggs in a nest of sticks which can be in trees, bushes or even on the ground. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the chicks though the female does more than her share.

The Glossy ibis is very widespread throughout the world living in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia as well as here in states from Maine to Texas (in the warm months). They winter from the Carolinas south to Florida and the Gulf Coast to Texas.

This small stocky bird is a Green heron. It has short legs, with maroon coloring about its neck and breast. The rest of this heron can appear to be black, dark blue, gray and/or green, as its back feathers are iridescent so it requires good lighting to really see its coloring properly.

Here’s a better look at the maroon coloring.

The Green heron is crow sized and sticks to an aquatic habitat of fresh water on wooded ponds, marshes and along rivers. It is not considered a wading bird, as it prefers to perch on logs or even the ground close by water. It’s very patient when foraging, stalking its prey very slowly. They are also known as intelligent “tool using” species. They have been known to drop a twig into the water to attract fish.

Green herons are primarily solitary birds, though they may nest in pairs but rarely in a large colony of birds. Their nests are composed of a platform of sticks that are in shrubs or trees that can be 5 to 30 feet above the ground, though there are times when they nest on the ground, but almost always close to water.

This rather mottled looking thing is a Ruddy turnstone, yes, another shorebird. It’s actually considered a sandpiper, with its short stocky features and slightly upturned bill (though this photo doesn’t show that well). This bird is common and widespread. They migrate from Canada south to the coastline. They’re known for flipping over stones and shells in search of food. They eat flies, spiders, beetles, wasps and bees, among other things. Their nests are nothing more than a shallow scrape with perhaps some leaf lining on rocky ground or vegetation. They lay 2 to 5 eggs which are incubated by the female. The Ruddy turnstone is fun to watch as it sprints along the shoreline, flipping a pebble and rushing onward to the next one.

Well, that’s a look at some of the shorebirds you might see should you visit the Florida waterways. These beautiful birds are well worth getting to know.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Nature Views blog, and I hope you might have picked up some interesting little tidbit that perhaps you didn’t know. There’s a lot more information on the Internet about these birds, just waiting for you to explore.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close!

Exploring Nature at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

/ TheNextHalfInOhio / 2 Comments

At 90,000 acres, this wildlife refuge is impossible to fully embrace in just a few days. But I’d like to share some photos of nature’s wonders that just might encourage you to visit here when you’re in the area.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is in the panhandle of Florida and hugs the Apalachee Bay. It’s a wintering location for a large number of migratory birds. The area is absolutely huge! But don’t let its great expanse overwhelm you. Go to the Visitor Center first and explore the drive out to the lighthouse. Then broaden your wanderings by foot or bike.

Here’s a map of this section of the refuge that might be of help. The black and white line on the map is the paved public road. At the top of the map, the Visitor Center is indicated. But keep in mind this is just one portion of the Refuge.

Wetlands attract a diverse range of ducks and birds – birds of prey, shore birds, ducks, warblers, songbirds and many others. Hiking areas provide easy access for closer views. This White-eyed Vireo was singing melodiously near the overlook at a wetland just off the main drive. It’s easy to see why it’s called “white-eyed.”

These Ring-necked ducks are easy to spot with the male’s gleaming black head and back. But it’s the bill I find so interesting. It appears to almost have been hand painted. Nature’s wonders indeed!

We also saw American Wigeons, Blue-Winged Teals and others, along with the ubiquitous Pied-Billed Grebes. The Pied-billed is a rather small bird and actually not considered to be a duck at all. Its diving antics are fun to watch. I read that its ancient lineage is more closely related to (believe it or not) the Flamingo. But that is still debatable by many.

Speaking of Flamingos, another visitor to the refuge told us they had heard of sightings of one. So naturally, off we go scouting the park to find the elusive bird. And lo and behold, there it was hanging out on Mounds Pool #3. Much too far away for a decent photo, but it’s enough determine it was a Flamingo.

Shorebirds were plentiful. Like this Great Egret. Look closer at the photo and you will see a Little Blue heron directly behind it and what might be a Greater Yellow Legs just to the left. But don’t quote me, as identification of shore birds are not my forte.

One enjoyable way to explore the area of the Mounds ponds is by trail bike. You can cover lots of ground while still having binoculars and camera close at hand to stop and check out the creatures you see. There are quite a few ponds there with dikes around them for easy access and observation.

Creatures come in a variety of sizes and shapes. And they co-exist. Like this alligator and the Greater Yellow Legs. The angle of this photo distorts the closeness of the two, but I still think that bird is rather brave.

The scenery in this area is breathtaking, with wide expanses of water and marsh grasses blending together. It’s quiet out here, with wind gently blowing through grasses and occasional calls of birds drifting through the area. If I had to define the term “peaceful,” this would be it. It’s a place where you can lose life’s distractions, time-commitments and “just be.”

In the photo below, a Tri-colored heron blends into its colorful surroundings, becoming at once an intricate and natural part of the scenery.

Closer to the shoreline is the famous St. Marks lighthouse. It’s located on the east side of the mouth of the St. Marks river and is second oldest light house in Florida. It opened in 1831 and has had several renovations. The lighthouse and keepers quarters were closed when we were there this past winter. The Fresnell lens in the lighthouse was removed during one of the renovations and is on display at the Visitors Center. A replica lens is now in its place in the lighthouse and is lit seasonally according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service website.

On the shoreline beneath that lighthouse, shorebirds are prolific. Bonaparte’s Gull, Terns of several species, Sandpipers, Plovers and others.

I was fortunate to be able to photograph a Piping Plover. Note the bands on both legs. After a bit of research, I was able to report this little guy to the USGS for their banding project research. Coastal populations of the Piping Plover are considered threatened here, while inland populations are considered endangered.

Here’s another shorebird I rarely see, the American Oystercatcher. It favors coastal areas with sand and shell beaches as well as salt water marsh areas. And yes, it does eat oysters as well as clams and other mollusks. This is a poor photo, even with a super zoom lens. These guys were quite shy.

The Wildlife Refuge sports not only coastal areas but also inland lakes. If you bring your canoe, Otter Lake is a wonderful place to spend a quiet morning. Its banks are entirely lined with Bald Cypress trees, draped with Spanish moss swaying in the breeze overhead. Its deep blue waters encourages one to paddle gently, hugging the shoreline and exploring its depths.

Osprey love this lake. Seems it’s the perfect habitat to raise their young. Great nesting areas and plenty of fish. We saw at least a dozen Osprey nests while we paddled the shore.

Osprey nests are typically found in tall trees or other structures which provide good visibility for the pair to protect their nest. At Otter Lake, many nests could be found high atop dead trees lining the lake. Nests are typically built of sticks with grasses, bark and other materials lining the inside. It is common for osprey to return to the same nest the following year. Osprey are largely monogamous.

Osprey are beautiful birds of prey. These raptors can be up to two feet in length and have a six-foot wingspan. Their diet is almost exclusively fish. I’ve read they dive for fish feet first. And they are exquisite creatures when in flight. Note the coloration of the wings in the photo below.

Otter Lake also sported a few other “black and white” birds. Wood Storks. These huge birds that can be four feet tall with five-feet wingspans. They nest in colonies in Winter and Spring in Florida. Their diet is primarily fish, but they also eat other small aquatic creatures, even baby alligators. They’re the only native stork in North America. I think they have a rather “prehistoric” look, but perhaps that’s why I am drawn to them. I don’t think many would call them beautiful.

And before we leave the wildlife refuge, I’d like to provide you with just one more look. This one impressed me with its color vibrancy. The green adorning the rocks could have been angel hair, it looked that soft and silky.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a truly wondrous area that has so much to explore. I know it’s on my list to visit again in the future. I hope it’s now on yours.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.

Myakka’s Wonders

/ TheNextHalfInOhio / 5 Comments

In central Florida there is a very special state park called Myakka River. While it’s known by visitors as a place to see alligators, it holds so many more wonders of nature. Its beauty is breathtaking. It’s the type of place that holds you entranced even without the multitude of birds and other creatures that call it home.

The wide array of greens and blues in the scenery are magnificent to behold on this late January day. Dried grasses rustle softly in the wind. The waters are calm, with mirror reflections of the sky.

The slow-moving waters of Myakka River meander between narrow banks. Shorebirds hunt peacefully nearby. Like this Great Egret with its recent catch. I was told it may be an armored catfish, which are considered invasive in Florida, and sometimes challenging for a bird to swallow (depending on the size of the fish).

Quite often you will see birds of different species hunting or abiding peacefully together in the waters. Like these Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks. Roseate Spoonbills are interesting to watch when feeding. They swing their wide bill back and forth beneath the water, literally mining for food.

On this late afternoon/early evening the Wood Stork decided it was time to bathe (or was it just playing?). He was pretty interesting to watch him splash about, totally ignorant of its audience.

One shorebird which is usually quite reticent to have its photo taken is the Green Heron. But when they’re on the hunt, their single-minded focus is second to none.

There is one bird I think is rather peculiar looking with its red legs, large curved bill and pale blue eyes. The White Ibis are all white except for their black wingtips seen when flying. They roost in trees and shrubs and are native to coastal states from North Carolina to Texas and even further south.

This year, we were fortunate to see a multitude of Glossy Ibis. You would definitely not mistake it with the white one! The Glossy Ibis has dark bills and legs, and the most miraculous looking wing feather colors when the light strikes it just right.

Herons of numerous species abound in Myakka River state park. There never seems to be a shortage of Little Blue Herons. Like this one. It’s coloring is blue-gray with maroon around the neck. It’s a quiet bird you see frequently by itself, wading in and amongst the greenery near shore.

The juvenile Little Blues are not blue at all, but are white. Their legs and feet are a greenish yellow. I’ve read their coloring will change to a mottled white/blue in a sort of “molt” before they become adults and develop their blue/gray/maroon coloring.

And then, of course, there’s the Tricolored Heron which is white and blue/gray, although there appears to be some maroon coloring around the neck as well. Their behavior is comical to watch, with their quick movements, sharp stops and starts as they run after prey. This one is in a more relaxed pose with its neck tucked in.

We would be remiss if we didn’t include a photo of a Great Blue Heron. It’s a much larger bird. This one we see in Ohio quite often along shallow streams. The Great Blue emits a loud, almost prehistoric cry when disturbed. It’s something you won’t forget when you hear it.

The Black Crowned Night Heron is a much stockier heron than the ones preciously shown. As the name implies, it is active at night and roosts during the day. Usually you might get a photo of one sleeping in a shrub, although the one in the photo below was awake and watchful.

This year I also managed to get a photo of a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron – a first for me! It’s smaller than its cousin the Black-Crowned Night Heron. This photo was not taken at Myakka, but I couldn’t resist showing a photo of my “new” find.

And we mustn’t forget Sandhill Cranes. You hear their melodious calls early in the morning and in the early evening as they fly high overhead to or from their roosting areas. They’re beautiful creatures. If you ever get a chance to see their mating dance, it’s something you won’t forget. They jump and spin. Sometimes toss up a clod of dirt into the air while they perform.

But birds were not the only winged wonders at Myakka River state park. One of the most beautiful butterflies I found was this White Peacock, with it’s exquisite brown/tan/white coloring. It’s native to Florida, southern states and central America. It’s landed on a Spanish Needle flower in search of nectar.

Some of the equally beautiful creatures at Myakka are small. Very small. Like this Great Pondhawk dragonfly which landed amongst the dried Live Oak leaves. Again, another “first” for me. According to iNaturalist, it is prevalent through South America and is primarily found in the southern regions of the U.S. although there have been a few sightings further north. Its vivid green coloring is spectacular.

This is the second time I have seen a Bobcat at Myakka River state park. I apologize for the poor photo but it caught me unaware. This photo was taken early one morning along the main roadway through the park. We must have been walking very quietly because the cat didn’t seem to realize we were there.

And to end this very long blog, I have to include a photo of what most visitors seek when visiting the park. Alligators. Some are just babies, like this one on the log. It was perhaps a foot and a half long.

While some gators are pretty large. This big boy could easily be 8 feet in length, or more. I was very content to guess its length from a distance…a great distance.

If you find yourself in the Sarasota FL area, consider visiting Myakka River state park. Explore more than just the 7-mile drive through the park. Take some hikes. It’s well worth it. You will discover so much more than you expected. The natural wonders at Myakka are varied and plentiful. It can enrich your life as it has done mine.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.

Wekiwa Springs

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Ever seen a Sherman’s fox squirrel? Probably not unless you visit northern Florida or southern Georgia where they call home. Come along on this journey of Wekiwa Springs State Park and neighboring natural areas of Apopka FL to see what wonderful colorful creatures abound.

The Sherman’s squirrel is a bit larger than other squirrels and prefers sandy areas with long-leaf pines. Coloring can vary though they typically have a black head with white ears, nose and tips of feet. They are a bit elusive, like this one who thought it was hidden by laying flat on a branch above me.

Squirrels aren’t the only thing to inhabit trees. Red headed woodpeckers are a special sight to behold with their bold red head and striking black and white coloring. They’re particularly special for me as their numbers have decreased in Ohio and are not seen nearly as often as they once were.

Pileated woodpeckers are also of the same coloring but larger in size with quite different vocalizations. We were very lucky to have multiple sightings of these dramatic birds in most of the Florida state parks we visited this past February and March.

But shore birds were the most dramatic and amazing on most of our explorations. Whether paddling in canoes or on the shoreline, birds abound.

An immature Little Blue heron explores the shore seeking breakfast. Very intent and focused.

While not too far away a Green heron is also scouting the banks as well. These little guys are shorter and stocker than most other herons, and generally not posing quite as well as this one.

One of my all-time favorite birds (and the most difficult for me to get a photo of) is the Belted Kingfisher. This male was quite a distance away, but halted its flight long enough for my quick photo.

The Glossy Ibis is one bird I don’t see quite as often as the others, but when the light hits the feathers just right, it’s easy to understand how it got it’s “glossy” name. According to what I have read, I believe this to be a breeding bird which can be identified by the pale lines extending from the bill to the eye.

Another fisherman this day was the Snowy Egret with it’s distinguishing markings of black legs and yellow feet – though this photo does not show that. I believe this bird to be an immature as its legs are a dull yellowish green.

And then there’s this little cutie. Small, and a bit on the chunky side with not much of a tail to speak of, you might think this is a duck but it’s not. It doesn’t have webbed feet but rather has “lobes” on it’s toes (which to me, if I had to describe it, looks rather like it has little paddle toes) which surprisingly makes it a good swimmer. It’s small, actually smaller than a crow in size. This is a breeding Pied-bill grebe which you can tell by its whitish bill which has a vertical black stripe. Normally the bill is a yellowish brown.

And speaking of breeding attire, here’s a Great Egret in it’s breeding attire with long plumes of feathers over its back and neon green skin between bill and eye area. It’s a large bird – about three foot tall. Very elegant looking.

Then there’s this beauty – a Tri-colored heron. It’s a mix of grayish-blue, white and almost lavender in color. This is a non-breeding heron indicative of it’s yellowish legs and without breeding plumage.

And of course, we have the Great Blue heron – the largest heron in North America. Majestic. Regal. And when disturbed, you hear the ear-piercing call that sounds almost prehistoric.

These beautiful brown/cinnamon colored ducks with their dark gray bills and legs are Fulvous Whistling ducks – a new one for me. Beautifully colored. No ID on the black and white ducks accompanying them because they turned their heads in all photos taken. Too busy preening feathers – one does have to keep up appearances.

Here’s a beauty – a Ring-necked duck, a breeding male. Magnificent colored bill with black tip. Looks almost like artwork. It is…nature’s artwork.

And yet another type of duck. These are Blue-winged Teals. I’ve read they’re smaller than a Mallard. They fly great distances, migrating between Canada and some as far as South America. They’re some of the latest ducks to fly north in the spring and earliest ducks to fly south before winter.

And looking out over the water, observing all the water fowl below, is a Bald Eagle. Truly majestic and magnificent. We saw quite a large number of Bald Eagles in Florida State Parks, with some parks having 11 or more nesting Eagle pairs.

And so, whether you’re hiking wonderful trails like this one in Wekiwa Springs State Park…

Or biking trails like this one…

Or exploring magnificent water vistas like this one (yes folks, that is an alligator partially submerged there)…

Wonderful nature adventures are awaiting you in Wekiwa Springs State Park and the natural areas of Apopka Florida.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.

The Preserves Among Us

/ TheNextHalfInOhio / 2 Comments

This year has been different, to say the least. For all of us. One of the things that has proved helpful to me is exploring nature preserves – especially scoping out ones I’ve never visited or, in some cases, have never heard of. It’s like having little mini vacations. I explored a couple preserves near Lake Erie just a few weeks ago.

DuPont Marsh State Nature Preserve (SNP) is part of the Erie Metroparks in Ohio. The short loop trail (with it’s soft footing of pine needles) connects to a longer Metroparks trail that offers views of the marsh.

It’s a quiet place where nature thrives and encourages those wandering to slow the pace and absorb the peaceful surroundings. Ducks and other water fowl abound. Great egrets slowly move through the water, putting all their effort into fishing; their concentration and patience is quite admirable and readily pays off.

Wood ducks are notoriously camera shy. They generally fly at the slightest hint of human presence – a voice or even the slightest movement. So when I happened upon a large group of them I was extremely surprised to get a few quick photos through the tree branches. This photo shows probably just a third of the number of wood ducks enjoying this marsh cove on this day. One can imagine this is a favorite destination for many types of water fowl.

We also explored Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve which is a National Estuarine Research Reserve. An estuary is typically defined as a place where salt water meets and mixes with fresh water. But in this case Old Woman creek mixes with water from Lake Erie and combines to create a chemically different water from either the creek or lake. It offers researchers a field laboratory to learn about estuarine ecology in a natural setting with habitats of marshland, forests, barrier sand beach, open water and swamp forest.

Boardwalk trails provide solid footing through potentially wet areas, while well-managed trails lead one through heavily wooded areas with magnificent views.

And in the midst of the woodland close to the estuary is a swamp forest. It’s an upland forest in an area that is poorly drained for a portion of the year. Soil here is too wet for most woodland trees, but it still provides habitat for some trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. It’s prime habitat for wood ducks, warblers, woodpeckers, belted kingfishers and even eagles.

I’ve never been particularly appreciative of scrubland – that is new growth areas with small scrubby trees and shrubs – although I have a new appreciation for it after visiting Old Woman Creek.

Scrub uplands never really caught my attention as particularly attractive but when I learned their value and their place in natural forest ecology, I now have a different mindset.

These scrubby areas provide habitat for bird nesting as well as provide a good food source. They protect birds during storms and can help as floodwater retention when located in lowlands. Because of their scrubby nature, it also protects animals from predators. Scrub lands are simply a natural progression through habitat changes over time. I guess I never really thought about it in this aspect before. Visiting Old Woman SNP expanded my view.

If you get the opportunity, take some time to visit Old Woman SNP and Estuary or any of the nature preserves near you. There is so much to explore and appreciate within the preserves. Nature abounds and awaits you.

Until next time, keep exploring nature up close.