Fork-tailed Flycatcher at Lake Apopka - July 15, 2017

Got the target bird for the day and my best views ever of a fork-tailed flycatcher.

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive - July 15, 2017

Back at Lake Apopka again today to look for the Fork-tailed Flycatcher.  Also saw many other nice looking birds along the drive.  First, I saw this baby purple gallinule.  I had never seen one so young before!

Next, stopped at the field of swallow-tailed kites.  There were also a few Mississippi Kites mixed in.

Baby Barn swallow being fed

Always a nice visit.  Stay cool snowy egret!

Dramatic Peacock at Magnolia Park, Orlando - July 15, 2017

On the way to Apopka Wildlife Drive, stopped here to see my favorite peacock.  He was looking very dramatic today.

Kayaking WeekiWachee River - July 10, 2017

Had the chance to go kayaking today and it was so pretty!  I usually just stick to walking, but glad to have the opportunity to do something different.  Almost started lightning on our group but made it back in time.

Rainbow at Indian Shores - July 7, 2017

Saw this beautiful rainbow over the ocean that helped to make the long walk worth it!

Birds at Indian Shores, St. Petersburg - July 7, 2017

Aside from the nesting skimmers, there were a few other interesting birds in Indian shores and Redington today starting with this family of red-bellied woodpeckers.

 The American Oystercatchers are a favorite of mine.  They are so striking, and then make the silliest sounds.

It took me a while to figure out what these two were doing, but just like many other species on the beach, the baby was still trying to get food from the adult even though he has probably outgrown it already.

Nesting Skimmers at Indian Shores - July 7, 2017

Went looking for the baby skimmers today, and it took forever!  Apparently people were harassing them where they normally nest outside the seabird sanctuary, so they flew a mile or so north to nest in Indian Shores.  It is a long walk in the heat!  They are very cute though and I had missed seeing them the last couple of years.