Sunday, February 21, 2016

2016 Orlando Wetlands Festival, Pt 1

With the computer back in operation we realized that we have a ton of photos. Going to have to make a couple of posts to cover everything. It was a birding festival, of course, so there were a bunch of species to discover.

We had an early surprise. The park made some signs to direct people toward us.

Sign

We never know what kind of day we are going to have. Especially after last year's record shattering capture rate. We were once again gathering birds not long after we opened the nets and the bags began to be added to the branches before banding actually commenced

bags

Gray Catbirds were plentiful today. Some years we will only catch a couple but they were all over the property this year.

Gray Catbird

Our second bird surprised us. The first of two Orange-crowned Warblers we got. Think this is the first time we have gotten them out here.

Orange-crowned Warbler

One flock no one was happy to see was a flock of Paragliders frightening birds all around the marshes.

Paraglider

A Limpkin flew in to feed behind the net. It found many shelled snack over the hours it searched and the shore was littered with the discarded bits.

Limpkin

The most common bird we catch at the Wetlands is the Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Warbler. They led the totals today as they usually do.

Myrtle Warbler

Flying in from across the road was a White-eyed Vireo. Lynn got a photo of Andrew taking a photo.

White-eyed Vireo

Here is Andrew's view.

White-eyed Vireo

"What did you guys put on me?"

White-eyed Vireo

The next Myrtle Warbler, a male beginning to molt into Spring plumage.

Myrtle Warbler

One of Andrew's co-workers in the the "real world" arrived in time to release the next Myrtle Warbler.

Myrtle Warbler

The group of visitors consisted of a bunch of very happy kids.

Myrtle Warbler

Becki and Killian prepare the table for the rest of the day.

Table

Time for a hike! At the end of the net line a Turkey Vulture takes wing over the grassy marsh.

Turkey Vulture

A distant Hammock around the corner is one of our favorite vistas.

Hammock

A White Ibis watched us walk by as it rested on a moss covered tree.

White Ibis

A friend mentioned 19 Black-crowned Night Herons resting around the corner. Most of them were hard to see as they perched deep in the branches.

Black-crowned Night Heron

In drier years this spot is usually being used by large American Alligators sunning on the mud. With the high water only a few young gators float through the water.

American Alligator

Trying to stay hidden, a Black-bellied Whistling Duck sleeps on the far bank.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

The Orlando Wetlands are a great place to find Purple Gallinules. Today they were especially visible, walking this way...

Purple Gallinule

...and that.

Purple Gallinule

A small note alerted us to look to the right. A Marsh Wren was perched on top of the grass before disappearing again.

Marsh Wren

Tree Swallows were all over the place out on the impoundments. At times they would fly a foot away from you on their way from one insect to the next. They are notoriously hard to photograph as they zip past.

Tree Swallow

Ospreys began to hunt as the day warmed up.

Osprey

In the next impoundment a Great Egret frames a splash of yellow.

Great Egret

We will leave Part 1 with a female Anhinga resting on a snag out in the water.

Anhinga

Stay tuned for Part 2. A lot more birds to follow.
______________________________________
Next (planned) Banding Day: Sunday, February 28th.
All nets will be opened by 6:20 A.M.

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