Birds

Wood Stork Watching The Sunset

I have often seen multiple Wood Storks looking into the sunset and have asked "Do they see in color?" This photograph was taken during an evening visit to Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. (2013)

Great Blue Heron Scanning Its Habitat

Osprey With Fish Lunch

The Osprey was just landing with its lunch on the dead tree above me at Circle B Bar Reserve, a wetland reserve near Lakeland, Florida. (2013)

Red-Shouldered Hawk In The Spanish Moss

Found this Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. He measures 16-20 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2015)

All Frazzled

Great Blue Heron

Mom with Cygnet at Spring Lake

Creating some bubbles on Round Lake near Petoskey, Michigan. Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) are huge birds, measuring 60 inches (152 cm) from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2012)

Catching Raindrops On My Tongue

This Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) sat atop the flower in a rain shower and appeared to be trying to catch raindrops on its tongue. Late in the season such as in this photograph, it is difficult for me to tell the difference between the female and the first-year male. (2016)

The Great Egret

The Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) measures 38 inches (95 cm) from beak-tip to tail-tip.

Great Blue Heron Mates

Black Vulture Keeping Watch

Leaving Merritt Island, Florida, I spotted this guy atop an old Palm Tree watching over its kingdom. (2013)

I See Movement . . .

I watched as this Green Heron (Butorides virescens) closed in on its prey. This was the beginning of his spotting the food. He progressed to taking a much closer look and then striking lightning fast the at frog. It was 'no contest'. The bird measures 17-18 inches (43-46 cm) from beak-tip to tail-tip. The photograph was taken at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. (2016)

Mute Swan Incubating Eggs

Hunting Along The Bank

A great blue heron.

Yellow Legs And Red Knees

The Common Gallinule. Despite being one of the most beautiful birds, it is called 'common'.

Snowy Egret Hunting Lunch

Circle B Bar Reserve, a wetland reserve near Lakeland, Florida, is a great place to see wildlife . . . and it is FREE admission. The birds and animals at Circle B are always on the hunt for food. (2013)

At Peace . . .

Found at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida, this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) measures 31-37 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip with a 7 foot wingspan. (2015)

Hunting For Supper In The Swamp

This Great Blue Heron was ultimately successful at finding a large fish for supper. He measures about 42-52 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip.

Lightning Quick . . .

I had set up and was watching this Green Heron as he sat waiting to spring. I decided to take a shot and move on. As I snapped, he struck. I caught this one quite by accident. You can see how far out his strike went by the drag-trail . . . most amazing is how strong his legs are to hold him in this bent over position throughout the capture. The photo was taken at 1/2000 of a second and barely slowed him without blur. (2016)

Look Me In The Eyes

It was as if this Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) was showing off its foot to me . . . At the moment the image was taken I did not notice the four birch trees reflecting at its head . . . it all seems to work. These are huge birds, measuring 60 inches (152 cm) from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2012)

Bad Hair Day

This juvenile Little Blue Heron posed briefly on a branch at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. (2013)

Great Blue Heron In Hiding

As I walked a trail at Circle B Bar Reserve, a wetland reserve near Lakeland, Florida, I noticed this Great Blue Heron standing in the shallow water at the edge of Lake Hancock. (2013)

Watching Yoga Class

While walking at Bayfront Park in Petoskey, Michigan, I came across this seagull which appeared to be watching the yoga class taking place on the breakwater near the harbor light. Petoskey is located on Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. (2014)

Cygnet Following Mom

Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) gliding across Round Lake near Petoskey, Michigan. Notice the feathers mom is carrying on her beak . . . These are huge birds, measuring 60 inches (152 cm) from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2012)

Double-Crested Cormorant

Looking over his kingdom at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida, this Double-Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) measures 32-33 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2015)

Deadly Hunter

When we think of birds of prey we do not think of these large birds . . . but they simply prey in a different fashion . . . They are deadly hunters. I found this guy at Circle B Bar Reserve, a wetland reserve near Lakeland, Florida, where all the animals spend the day looking for food. (2013)

White Ibis Eating A Swamp Snake

Came across this guy eating a swamp snake at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) measures 24-25 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2015)

Pied-Billed Grebe

The Pied-Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) measures 13-13 1/2 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip. This guy, found at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida, appears to be saying 'hello' to me. (2015)

Roseate Spoonbills Searching For Goodies

These Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) were found at Circle B Bar Reserve near Lakeland, Florida. They measure about 32 inches from beak-tip to tail-tip. (2015)