While searching for some bird images, I found a file from a visit to Florida in June 2008. By June, winter visitors have migrated north, and usually birding opportunities slow. But on this day, a treasure trove awaited. For sunrise, I went to a location that sometimes is good, depending on the water level. In several visits since, I’ve never seen as many birds and conditions have never been as good. I never could recapture the magic of that morning. Before the sun rose, Great Egrets were fishing in the soft light.
Great Egret Duo
Sandhill Cranes were also patrolling the shallow water. These cranes mates for life, and this is likely a pair with their older colt who doesn’t yet have the adult coloring.
Sandhill Trio
As the sun got up, the fishing activity increased.
Great Egret Trio
The rising sun started lighting up the birds, and the still air left nice reflections in the water. I can remember where I stood as I watched this sight, and I can remember the first time I saw one of these prehistoric-looking Wood Storks while riding my bike as a boy. They remain a marvelous sight.
Wood Stork Quad
As the sun got higher, reflected colors in the water intensified. I can also remember the first time I saw Roseate Spoonbills while in high school camping in the Everglades when the sky turned pink with them as they flew to their roosting islands near sunset.
Roseate Spoonbill portrait
I needed to leave these birds and drive a bit to get closer to watch the scheduled landing of another bird that morning. Shuttle Discovery was returning from helping assemble the International Space Station. Discovery was commanded by Capt. Mark Kelly who is now running for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, and whose brother Scott set the record for life on the ISS.
Shuttle Discovery STS-124
That evening I returned to see if there was any magic left at the place I started the day. Sure enough, this Limpkin advised that there were still delights to see. My first time seeing a Limpkin was at this location, and who knew, perhaps this was the same one who had been my first sight.
Limpkin portrait
The state bird of Florida offered some of its superb songs to the magic of the day.
Mockingbird in the reeds
A Spoonbill was still fishing.
Roseate Spoonbill fishing
On my morning shoot, I spotted a little puffball baby next to a Black-necked Stilt. I sat down to enjoy, and try to get some images. Another photographer came from the other direction, and was getting too close, and you could see mom was getting nervous. I usually avoid confronting others if they’re interfering with my shots, but bothering wildlife is another matter. It’s challenging enough for birds to feed and protect their young, so I shouted over to the fellow that he was disturbing the birds. He shouted back that he knew what he was doing. So I started taking pictures of him, and he soon enough left. In the evening, I went back to see if the Stilts were where they had been that morning, and sure enough the day ended peacefully watching the pair.
Black-necked Stilt and chick
Seeking cover