Venice Rookery

I had a bad day with my big lens.  It seems to have an issue with focusing to infinity and there abouts in auto mode.  I didn't even realize it until the next day and will have to use it manually the rest of my trip, and then it goes in for repair.
Venice was it's usual active self and I was pleased to see so many varieties and quantities of bird there.  There were a lot of anhinga and heron and egret, but there were also some cowbird, osprey, the ever present vultures, and a whole flock of school children.  Good that they learn early.

So here are some images from my morning at Venice.  I think we'll be visiting back there in a week or so.  Maybe then I can post some photos of the young ones we saw on the nests.

Passing Through Ding Darling

Last time I went through Ding Darling, I spent a lot of time there and was privileged to view a wide variety of birds.  I felt especially privileged to see and photograph a large contingent of Roseate Spoonbills, who seemed to be just waiting for us to arrive and in no hurry to leave.  Not so lucky this trip.  However, I was lucky enough to witness several other species which I had not seen before, and was especially happy to capture this osprey keeping watch while his mate fed their young.

 

I also saw some cormerant, anhinga, white and brown pelican, gopher turtle, great blue heron, small blue heron, hooded merganzer, red breasted merganzer, egret, ibis, red bellied woodpeckers, tourists, and the ever present noseeum's (nasty critters).

 

Reports going in were not looking good, and the place was a bit slow, as are most of the bird breeding habitats right now.  At least, the ones I've been to.  I'm guessing water level has something to do with it.  Water is kind of low right now, even though it is raining as I speak.  I'll bet this guy is happy about that.

In spite of all that, it was a rewarding short drive through the habitat and glad we made the trip.

I'll probably be back here before I leave south Florida.

Pinkney Island

Pinkney Island NWR is a salt marsh located in Beaufort County, South Carolina, just outside of Hilton Head. My friend, Kelly, told me about this place. She heard I was going to Savannah, Ga and this was on the way and one of her favorite places, so I told here I'd stop and check it out. It's a beautiful place and well kept, but, unfortunately, there weren't many birds about, which is what I expected to see.

One of the destinations on the island is the Ibis Pond, (above image) which is the site of a major heronry. All manner of heron and egret breed here in late spring, and though I did see one Great Egret, hiding in amongst the growth, it was not photographable. I did see a lot of small birds flying about, none of which I can identify, save a sparrow, and there were lots of black and turkey vultures in the sky. I also saw a number of Moorhen floating about and was surprised to note their near proximity to the alligator.

Other fascinating creatures in the Ibis Pond include the American Alligator, several of which were sunning themselves on the banks, and though they were not immediately obvious as I strolled about, their presence became a source for my continuous attention, once identified.  They look so docile and harmless, just lying about so motionless.  I know better.
I'll look forward to another visit to Pinkney Island, hopefully on my return north and then it will be filled with birds.