Spring season brings about many changes, my winter friends are heading to their northern homes, the birds that have been here for several months are leaving toward their nesting grounds - in the meantime we have birds that are passing through and some that have arrived and are now nesting. Having said that - I've been spending more time locally and I'm sharing with you what I've seen the past couple of days....
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| A female Painted Bunting at the Shell Mound in Ding Darling, as well as.... |
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| a Blackpoll Warbler and.... |
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| a Black-throated Blue Warbler, sweet! While I was walking the boardwalk I met some folks and one gal shared some info about a Chuck-will-widow. This was quite a good tip to come across as I've never seen one - so, off I went to observe this camouflaged fellow.... |
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| I can see why it would be difficult to find when it is on the ground.... |
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| surrounded by dark twigs/foliage etc. I limited the amount of time greatly as I didn't want to distress the bird. |
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| This morning I found myself along the beach with the moon glow in my back and the sun rising to the east. A Mottled Duck came in for a landing but missed a bit - hence the sand on its breast. |
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| I think it's going to be another great day! |
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| The Snowy Plovers were up already and busily feeding along the shoreline. |
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| This one was resting along the whelk egg cases - blending in quite well too. |
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| Its mate wasn't too far away. |
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| My second stop today took me at the Lighthouse where I set my eyes on a beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird - wow on its red throat! |
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| Not too far in the parking lot, we found a Painted Box Turtle - what interesting design on its shell! |
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| By the Lighthouse a Grey Kingbird was chasing insects and returning to this twig to eat it. |
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| Around the corner a Gopher Tortoise was getting ready to return to its borrow. |
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| Another beautiful view of that Ruby-throated Hummingbird, I'm blessed today. |
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| The Magnificent Frigatebird sealed the day. |
