Babcock Webb with the Caloosa Bird Club

A long awaited outing to the Babcock Webb - today was the day! It turned out to be quite cool and very windy with gusts up to 25mph+ - it made for a quieter than normal day but it was beautiful and quite enjoyable as always.

Bluebird - one of my favorite and they make it so easy to photograph too.

Pine Warblers - right in their element.

The Red-cockaded Woodpeckers were a bit more tricky to find this morning.

It was way off the path - and I'm thankful for the 'eagle eyes' in the group for spotting this one from so far away.

So many birds, so many acres and so little time.

Talk about a dose of sunshine! I love these bright Eastern Meadowlark - even when they are quiet.

 Another fantastic day of birding with the club. My E-Bird List for today.

A Caloosa Caravan to Bartow

This is the time of the year that the Caloosa Bird Club meet up at Bartow for Sunday night and bird the Circle B Bar Preserve in Lakeland on Monday. This time around a few of us met up early Sunday and birded along the way. First stop: The Celery Fields

Oh boy! It's been a while since I had the opportunity to see a Meadowlark up front and personal and what a beauty it is!

I love their song too.

The Purple Martins have arrived - a male is seen here perched on one of the houses.

A male Mallard was a nice surprise too.

More Purple Martins are coming in.

After a bit we headed to Sarasota, near the airport where many Redheads had been reported.

They were in great numbers - mixed in with Lesser Scaup, Grebes and Mergansers.

 After this quick stop we headed to Emerson Point Preserve

 We marveled at the amount of Mergansers and Loons seen in the distance.

 And the Skyline Bridge.

 Then we were off to the Lost River Trail

 It was nice to find White Pelicans in large numbers...

 working together as a team while gathering up the fish for a meal.

 Around the corner we took a walk up the hill..

and took in the view across the bay

Now - to our last stop - at a friend's house in the center of town - a lovely private home with a beautiful front yard meant literally for the birds.

 We saw several Goldfinches feasting on seeds.

 A Rufous Hummingbird has been a regular visitor - it showed up but kept hiding/feeding behind this feeder - the best capture I got was the tip of his tail.

 A very bright Pine Warbler came in for seeds too.

 I got luckier with this Ruby-throated Hummingbird when he granted me a few seconds of stillness....

 before resuming his feeding frenzy....a busy bird for sure.

 More Goldfinches.

 A few Bluebirds.

 At last we had to tear ourselves away from this little haven - and back on the road we go.

Near Bartow - while driving at 60 mph - I noticed what appeared to be a Great Horned owl on this post which I radioed in to the rest of the caravan, the trip leader opted to make a U-turn to go back and see...well....egg on my face when we drove up to it to realize that it was two plastic owls up there. We all had a good laugh about it and I bet that story will stick with me for a long time.

Babcock Webb with Caloosa Bird Club

Since this yearly trip is very well attended, it has been preferable to set up two separate outing - we opted to go today and were pleased to have such a nice intimate group. The day started out a bit foggy - as spring morning goes - and improved as the hours unfolded....come and take a look....

This particular location is known for their Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the fact that the best way to see them is to be there before sunrise.

We watched the scenery unfold and waited patiently.

We pay particular attention to the trees that are marked with a wide white band - as these are the trees the RCWO nest in.

And here is our star - a 8-1/2" Black-and-white barred back, black cap and large white cheek patch. Even though it looks similar to a Downy or Hairy - this one does not have the solid white back.

The RCWO inhabits open, mature pine woodlands.

We also spotted a few Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers - as pictured here - as well as Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers.

The woodlands and the wildflowers provided a beautiful vista.

A Killdeer on the edge of a dirt road, sitting on his nest - a typical fashion for them to set it up on open ground.

A few Eastern Meadowlarks entertained us with their songs today - I love to hear those guys.

And, oh, what a surprise! A Great Horned Owl perched on the tree top - a fine looking fellow.

Thanks to my Canon SX50, I was able to zoom in to this "X" where the Owl was sitting.

I wonder if he paid us as much attention as we did - I bet not.

Another Meadowlark.

Sweet little Brown-headed Nuthatch sitting nicely for us to observe.

A Shrike! I am used to see them on power lines - this is so much better.

Lilly Pads with Lotus flowers - Lotus to me signify enlightment and purity.

A swamp buggy coming down the trail - Babcock has trips/tours available - a different way to see the place.

For it's size, it was pretty quiet.

The road is open, the price is right and the experience is priceless....try it, you'll like it. My E-Bird List for today.