Saturday, July 28, 2012

Viera Wetlands 7/27/12


Things seemed to have picked up quite a bit at the wetlands this week. We saw large populations of the regulars as well as a handful of birds we do not see quite so often. The first cell near the entrance was packed with Great Egrets, we counted close to 50, as well as a mix of Wood Storks, Snowy Egrets, White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Great Blue, Green, and Little Blue Herons, and Common Gallinules.

Little Blue Heron

This young Wood Stork was relaxing right next to its parents. The juveniles are almost as adorable as their parents:)
Juvenile Wood Stork

I rarely see Black-necked Stilts at the wetlands , but I counted 8 of them today. This one, which I believe is an immature one, was foraging near 2 adults. These shorebirds are quite intriguing looking. They have such delicate features; got to love those super long, thin legs!

Black-necked Stilt
Roseate Spoonbills are occasionally found at the wetlands. This one was enjoying spending some time all alone, away from the other birds.

Roseate Spoonbill


I wonder how hard it is to clean your feathers with a spoon...


This guy then came along with an apparent disregard for the Spoonbills personal space. The White Ibis looked sort of like a lost, confused tourist, as it walked right into the photo and just stood there...


Speaking of Ibis, there are tons of White and Glossy Ibises at the wetlands right now. Other species noted include: Ospreys, Black Vutlures, Cattle Egrets (tons and tons of them), Tricolored Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds, Boat-tailed Grackles, Least Terns, Mottled Ducks, Belted Kingfisher, and lots of American Alligators.

White Ibis

Gulf Fritillary

30 comments:

  1. i like the photo-bombing ibis. :) and yes, that juvie woodstork is just as pretty as can be. :) LOVE your spoonbill reflection shots.

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  2. Marvelous! Great photos Tammy, I love seeing them Florida waders

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  3. Love the colours on the Spoonbill and excellently captured.

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  4. Wowee, you have got it, all in all, that is a memento to reminds you, Spoonbill, Stilts, Ibis and many others. Great photos.

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  5. What great variety you got from this region!

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  6. Wading birds. So sick. Great angle on that fritillary.

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  7. What a beautiful bird!!! .. I love roseate spoonbills.. So nice.. Great shots Tammy as always.. Best regards..

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  8. *sigh* I'll be down on the next flight out!!

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  9. Great series of photos Tammy. I've never seen the Black necked Stilts and always seem to miss them when I'm in FL. Amazing butterfly shot. Florida Butterfly diversity must be amazing... Keep up the great work!

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  10. I've never seen a roseate spoonbill and love your pictures, especially the one with the reflection in the water.

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  11. Hola Tammy capturas formidables del Ibys y la Espatula,se ve que vives en el paraiso de las aves.Un abrazo

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  12. Very good pictures Tammy, and some have very nice reflections.

    warm greetings, Joop

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  13. Beautiful! The heron is my favorite! You got some wonderful reflections, too! I think the Ibis just wanted some camera time. LOL!

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  14. Beautiful Images. Viera Wetlands is a must stop for bird lovers. :-)

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  15. Que imágenes más impresionantes, son una maravilla, desde luego se nota que por tu tierra las aves son mucho menos recelosas que en Europa. Saludos desde Extremadura.

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  16. Love yhe spoonbill I think they are my favorite. We dont get to see them very often they tend to stay far inland at our wetlands.As alaways beautiful pictures.

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  17. Wonderful series. I've often wondered the same thing about spoonbills cleaning their feathers with that beak of theirs!

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  18. Great shots Tammy! Great colors and detai lon the spoonbill.

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  19. Marvelous images! :)

    Happy Sunday,
    Lois

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  20. Preciosas imagenes, muy buena la entrada, parece el paraíso, saludos.

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  21. So enjoyed looking at these Tammy! Seeing those Stilts plus Roseate Spoonbill... What an amazing host of fabulous birds!

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  22. Beautiful shots! Love the spoonbills.

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  23. Amiga Tammy, las fotos tan buenas como siempre: reflejos, poses ... y las especies parecidas a las europeas pero a la vez diferentes.
    Saludos!!

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  24. Great pictures...
    Great blog !
    Congratulations !
    Best regards,

    Pierre

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  25. Hello Tammy,
    Wonderful to see all these birds. The shots of the Roseate Spoonbills are fantastic. I saw them last at first in a birdpark here in Holland. They are so beautiful.

    Greetings, Marco

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  26. A wonderful collection of awesome birds Tammy!

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  27. A superb series of images Tammy... beautiful birds to see.

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  28. Hi Tammy, Super series of nice pictures !

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  29. You live in paradise!
    Such a variety of birds on your doorstep is fantastic!
    The Spoonbill is a real marvel, ad I guess his friend just walked in picture because they are buddies! LOL!
    Your pictures make me wish I can get once more the opportunity to visit Florida, but with my camera this time!
    Magnificent!
    I bet you will soon be back with much more to show us!
    Cheers and keep well!

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  30. Marvelous birds, butterflies, and flowers of Viera Wetlands, Tammy.
    I especially enjoyed the beautiful Rosetta Spoonbill.

    Wishing you and yours a happy day :)

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I greatly appreciate your comments!