House Sparrow

This house sparrow calls Home Depot home.  The sparrows in Collingwood have learned how to activate the beam which opens the sliding doors for them to go in and out at will, pretty smart little birds.  This one was sitting on a model shed chirping so loudly it’s echo was deafening in the loading area.house sparrow - 1 house sparrow - 4 house sparrow - 3

Starling chicks

Starlings are loud, and the “me first” cries are very competitive, parent birds work fast to bring back meals and the chicks are eager to see them return.  These are in our barn wall, I see them every day and finally took a photo.  Our farm is home to so many different birds it is incredible.

starling chicks  - 2 starling chicks  - 1 starling chicks  - 3

Siesta Key

Beautiful, the perfect holiday beach with white fine sand that went on forever.  This photo was from my first night walking down the Beach with my hosts Pauline and Ron who I thank very much for their hospitality and putting up with my ridiculous birding.

siesta key sunset

Laughing Gulls #174

These gulls are everywhere along the Florida shore line.  Efficient clean up crews pick up any little morsel left behind on the beaches.  These photos were taken at Siesta Key Beach at sunset. ( it was late being assigned #174, missed this one)

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Willets on the beach

The beaches at Siesta Key Florida are so very beautiful, these Willets run up and down the beach in the sunset looking for snacks in the sand, how lucky they are!  Willets are often seen alone. They walk deliberately, pausing to probe for crabs, worms and other prey in sand and mudflats, or to pick at insects and mollusks. willet 4

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willet 2

willet 1

 

 

Brown Pelicans

My first bird to photograph in Florida this year were Pelicans, right outside the place I was staying  was a beautiful harbour with many boats.  The reflections on the water were fabulous. I hardly had to leave the front door and I had some nice pics a nice way to start the photographic holiday.pelican 3

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Brown Pelican

 

 

Fox vixen

I spent a few minutes today observing this beautiful creature, best left alone I carried on and let her be.

4 photos…

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fox 1

 

Blue Heron Rookery

While in Florida I was lucky enough to come across a Heron Rookery, these young herons look like they are almost at the fledgling age. They are always starving hungry and very demanding of the parents when they bring back a meal which then needs to be coughed up.Great Blue Heron 9

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