Egrets, Racoons and Herons - oh my!

I've started a routine of driving through Ding Darling Wildlife Drive on Wednesdays and every time I am treated to a different show - don't you just love to be in nature? I Do!

Quite a few Snowy and Great Egrets were feeding in the crevices of the Red Mangrove roots, taking turn diving and gathering little minnows for breakfast.

A Racoon family climbed up the Cabbage Palm tree and were feasting in berries.

The mom was keeping a keen eye on coming cars -

check those out - their paws are quite adept at keeping them upright and climbing trees.

Her two little ones were curious as well as hungry.

A Yellow-crowned Night Heron found a quiet spot for some shut eye time.

Just making sure that I'm safe to be around.

Snoozing time.

The Tricolored Heron on the other hand had just finished eating and was busy pruning.

This can be a full time job to keep those feathers in tiptop condition.

Another Yellow-crowned Night Heron - this one was on the hunt and keeping his eyes open for some crabs.

 My E-Bird List for this morning

Wild Wednesday

I started my day with a visit at Ding Darling - wanting/hoping to see the White Pelicans. Some days you get what you want and today I got something else :) It was incredibly buggy this morning and resorted to birding inside my vehicle and taking pictures through my windows....note to self....make sure to keep windows clean.

A Yellow-Crowned Night Heron landed near me and made me smile - I love these guys.

By the tower - a group of Woodstorks were busy preening and getting ready for the day.

A Great Blue Heron was nearby - watching others.

Some Short-billed Dowitchers

A Black-bellied Plover without its black belly

Another Great Blue Heron

The morning treat: A Kingfisher lady landed not too far from me and stayed for a while. I noticed the two white spots in front of its eyes - making me think of headlights.

Watching the blue sky and in deep thoughts perhaps.

I also made a stop along the Caloosa Trail and spotted a Magnolia Warbler who made the sweetest sound ever - it moved way quicker than my ability to photograph it - however this visual and sound was accentuated with a heavenly smell from these flowers and it truly made for a perfect stroll, never a boring moment.           

 After a break and some refreshments, I headed out to the Bailey Tract and had a grand time....come and see.....

A gator across the pond and from the look of it, I believe it probably measures close to 10 feet, I wouldn't want to mess with that one.

Soon after, I noticed a family of Raccoons heading in my direction and I wondered how close they were going to get.....

Before I could think any further, they veered to the right and disappeared into the bushes...

This little fellow seemed to lag a bit behind, then....with a sprint....he bolted forward "Wait for me!"

Now, here's a funny sight! A Little Blue Heron taking a cooling bath.

I thought he was in quite deep.....

only to see it go even deeper. For a minute there I thought he was going to get his head under too, but at last he turned and headed away - most likely to do some deep preening.

My attention got turned around when I heard a high-pitched twittering and I knew who that was....

A Bald Eagle - what a grand way to end the birding day!

 

Causeway - Great way to start the day.

The weather warmed up a bit and I had some extra time to spare before attending my yearly training at Ding Darling - so, off I went to cruise the Causeway.

I had been looking for the Black Scoter and I am glad that I ventured out this morning - it wasn't a carpet full of them, but that's okay by me.

A few Red-breasted Merganser could be seen diving in repeatedly.

As I reached the turn around point - I noticed something out of the ordinary at the base of the pilling....what might that be? Upon closer inspection, I noticed that it was a ....

Raccoon! How in the world did he ever get up there? They sure are cleaver at getting where they want to be. Once he realized that I was no threat to him, he resumed his coon nap.

.....while listening to.....

.... a serenade that only Grackles could make.

As I got ready to leave the Causeway, this Grackle came to see if I had anything to eat....sorry, no can do.....you'll have to find food the old fashion way.

These two Pileated Woodpeckers have found their food source without my help - as it should be.