Bob's Photos

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Wildlife on river boat rides at Wakulla Springs

I strive to go on the fine river boat tours at Wakulla Springs at least once each month. This month so far, I had the good fortune to go with park ranger Patty Wilbur on May 6 and volunteer Bob Deyle on May 8. The water level of the Wakulla River is quite high because of recent rainfall. And although I saw less wildlife than usual, the quality of the wildlife viewing was exceptional!

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The cattle egrets are nesting in the wax myrtle shrubs on an

island between the boat dock and the first turn in the river.

Note the breeding colors of this bird, including the red eye

and red, orange , and yellow bill.

Several birds were busy collecting next material.

More cattle egrets in bright breading colors!

A pair of swallow-tailed kites dazzled us with an aerial ballet
... black and white spirals in an azure sky.

Osprey in the cypress tree at the entrance of

the back jungle.

The remainder of this post are of the resident wildlife: an alligator, anhingas, Suwannee cooter turltes, and common gallinule.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Birds at Baldpoint

On Saturday morning at the FSU Marine Lab, I attended a very informative presentation “Beach-Nesting Shorebirds: Florida’s Original Beach Babies” by Bonnie Samuelsen. The images below were taken in the Bald Point State Park after the presentation during a guided bird walk by Bonnie and Audubon Florida's Coastal Bird Tech, John Murphy. We also viewed American oyster catchers and marbled godwits through John's fine spotting scope.

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Brown pelican

Laughing gull

Red knots and short-billed dowitchers

You can almost hear this bird proclaiming

Willet, Willet, Willet, Willet!!!!

Short-billed dowitcher

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Wakulla's wondrous water world

The first seven images were taken on Monday, March 21 in the Wakulla Springs State Park.

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Recent rainfall has caused increased an increase in flow out
of the caves. This image and the next three images were taken
at the bridge along the park drive next to Sally Ward Spring.
During high water, the flow goes from the Indian Springs area
to Sally Ward on the way to the Wakulla River.

The next five images were taken the same day at the cypress dome along the park drive.

Virginia creeper

Netted chain fern

Royal fern

Royal fern reflected in the water

The next three photos were taken this morning, Thursday, March 24 east of Highway 98, between Medart and Panacea in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. This is my first visit to a small pond in a pine forest a short walk from the highway.