Category Archives: Image Gallery

Image Gallery: Return to Lake Apopka Restoration Area

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The yellow flowers blanketing this pool are bladderworts, Utricularia sp., a carnivorous plant. I've never seen a concentration of bladderwort like this.

The yellow flowers blanketing this pool are bladderworts, Utricularia sp., a carnivorous plant. I’ve never seen a concentration of bladderwort like this.

May 18, 2015

All images are linked to larger versions.

I couldn’t help myself.  I visited the new wildlife drive at Lake Apopka Restoration Area again yesterday, and though the light was miserable for photography for the first couple of hours, the wildlife was there.  Here are some of my favorite shots from the morning.

Recently fledged great blue heron.

Recently fledged great blue heron.

Bullfrog feeding a mosquito.

Bullfrog feeding a mosquito.  Look closely under his right eye.

Common moorhens and their broods were once again one of the most entertaining sights.

Common gallinules and their broods were once again one of the most entertaining sights.

Sorry, bro, you cannot pass.

Sorry, bro, you cannot pass.

This osprey was sitting atop a leaning pole trying to eat his fish.

This osprey was sitting atop a leaning pole trying to eat her fish.

She was repeatedly harangued by this boat-tailed grackle, who bum rushed her several times.

She was repeatedly harangued by this boat-tailed grackle, who bum rushed her several times.

Why? Eventually the osprey moved on, and the grackle took top spot and cleaned up on the fish scraps.

Why? Eventually the osprey moved on, and the grackle took top spot and cleaned up on the fish scraps.

 

Least bittern in the willows. You don't appreciate how long their neck is until they stick it out.

Least bittern in the willows. You don’t appreciate how long their neck is until they stick it out.

A more typical view of a least bittern.

A more typical view of a least bittern.

Green herons were abundant, but very shy. This one allowed me one shot before taking off.

Green herons were abundant, but very shy. This one allowed me one shot before taking off.

A juvenile little blue heron showing high breeding colors in the cere and base of the bill. Yearling birds in juvenile plumage will sometimes breed in this species.

A juvenile little blue heron showing high breeding colors in the cere and base of the bill. Yearling birds in juvenile plumage will sometimes breed in this species.

Not a bad day for herps. This Florida green watersnake (Nerodia floridana) was basking in the dead cattails as the sun struggled to make an appearance.

Not a bad day for herps. This Florida green watersnake (Nerodia floridana) was basking in the dead cattails as the sun struggled to make an appearance.

That's one chilled out baby gator.

That’s one chilled out baby gator.

A big female soft-shelled turtle (Apalone ferox) mucking around in the shallows.

A big female soft-shelled turtle (Apalone ferox) mucking around in the shallows.

Pig frog (Lithobates grylio) surrounded by several floating aquatic plants, including Lemna sp., (duckweed), Salvinia minima (water spangles), and Azolla filiculoides (American waterfern; not a fern).

Pig frog (Lithobates grylio) surrounded by several floating aquatic plants, including Lemna sp., (duckweed), Salvinia minima (water spangles), and Azolla filiculoides (American waterfern; not a fern).

Eastern kingbird. I don't see this species often in central Florida except as a migrant in passage. This bird is probably a breeder.

Eastern kingbird. I don’t see this species often in central Florida except as a migrant in passage. This bird is probably a breeder.

I saw a half-dozen or so limpkins.

I saw a half-dozen or so limpkins.

These two great blue herons were arguing over territorial rights, using the head up-wing droop posture that says get the hell out of my space.

These two great blue herons were arguing over territorial rights, using the head up-wing droop posture that says get the hell out of my space.

By mid-day, it was getting quite toasty. Barn swallows were basking on the hot shell rock roads, overheating to the point that they were panting to cool down. Why? Probably to kill ectoparasites with the heat load.

By mid-day, it was getting quite toasty. Barn swallows were basking on the hot shell rock roads, overheating to the point that they were panting to cool down. Why? Probably to kill ectoparasites with the heat load.

Anhinga performing gular flutter, a heat-dissipating behavior.

Anhinga performing gular flutter, a heat-dissipating behavior.

 

Images: Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area

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Saturday, February 16

From my first trip of the year to the wildlife drive at Emeralda Marsh Conservation area, near Eustis, last Saturday.

The male (red stripe extending back from the base of the bill; females lack this) of a pair of pileated woodpeckers that were courting and canoodling on the phone poles along Emeralda Island Rd.

The male (red stripe extending back from the base of the bill; females lack this) of a pair of pileated woodpeckers that were courting and canoodling on the phone poles along Emeralda Island Rd.

Several purple gallinules were active on the spatterdock beds along the edge of Lake Griffin.

Several purple gallinules were active on the spatterdock beds along the edge of Lake Griffin.

Mixed-species flocks of passerines were abundant and active in the hammocks along the wildlife drive and int the mixed habitat of the marshes and successional wetlands. Lots of blue-gray gnatcatchers.

Mixed-species flocks of passerines were abundant and active in the hammocks along the wildlife drive and in the mixed habitat of the marshes and successional wetlands. Lots of blue-gray gnatcatchers.

Ruby-crowned kinglets were nearly as abundant as the gnatcathers. I saw the ruby crown a couple of times, briefly.

Ruby-crowned kinglets were nearly as abundant as the gnatcathers. I saw the ruby crown a couple of times, briefly.

This marsh wren was working a clump of dead cattails right by the road on the T-J section of the wildlife drive. Though he came within 10' of me, he never came completely out in the open for a profile shot.

This marsh wren was working a clump of dead cattails right by the road on the T-J section of the wildlife drive. Though he came within 10′ of me, he never came completely out in the open for a profile shot.

Swamp sparrows were abundant in the wet fields and marshes. I saw only one savannah sparrow all day though. Strange.

Swamp sparrows were abundant in the wet fields and marshes. I saw only one savannah sparrow all day though. Strange.

Palms were the most abundant warblers. Others included yellow-rumps, common yellowthroats, and an orange-crowned warbler.

Palms were the most abundant warblers. Others included yellow-rumps, common yellowthroats, and an orange-crowned warbler. This is a very dull western palm warbler.

A brighter western palm warbler, starting to show a bit of breeding plumage in his rusty cap.

A brighter western palm warbler, starting to show a bit of breeding plumage in his rusty cap.

Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Blue-gray gnatcatcher

Orange-crowned warbler

Orange-crowned warbler

Female common yellowthroat

Female common yellowthroat

Not many aquatic birds were present, aside from fair numbers of coots and moorhens. Only a handful of egrets and herons, and a few white and glossy ibis, like this one. I saw one limpkin, heard one sora.

Not many aquatic birds were present, aside from fair numbers of coots and moorhens. Only a handful of egrets and herons, and a few white and glossy ibis, like this one. I saw one limpkin, heard one sora.

Swamp sparrows were thick throughout.

Swamp sparrows were thick throughout.

Swamp sparrow

Swamp sparrow

The serpentine flow-way. Even when the marshes and wetlands are a bit slow, always a beautiful drive.

The serpentine flow-way. Even when the marshes and wetlands are a bit slow, always a beautiful drive.

Image Gallery: Northern Bobwhite

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January 6, 2015

Yesterday while searching for a pair of great horned owls I had seen recently on a dead end road near Heart Island Conservation Area, I saw a covey of a half-dozen or so northern bobwhite scurry across the road and begin picking their way up the roadside towards me.  I parked and waited.  For about 5 minutes I was able to watch and photograph these beautiful little fowl as they worked past me, only mildly wary of my presence.

My first shot was of this male that cautiously worked his way up the road margin towards me. He was clearly aware of my presence, but didn't seem overly concerned about the blue Accord sitting in the road.

My first shot was of this male that cautiously worked his way up the road margin towards me. He was clearly aware of my presence, but didn’t seem overly concerned about the blue Accord sitting in the road.

NOBO_01052015-06_Camp Winona Road

The scurried dash of a northern bobwhite as it crosses open ground is charming.

The scurried dash of a northern bobwhite as it crosses open ground is charming.

The slightly raised crest indicates a bit of concern.

The slightly raised crest indicates a bit of concern.

Still, this male sat in the open watching me for a few seconds.

Still, this male sat in the open watching me for a few seconds.

At some point, something mildly spooked this male and he hunkered down, no more than 20' or so away from me. Didn't try to run away though; just sat there for a minute or two watching me. I would never have spotted this bird if I hadn't seen it before it froze.

At some point, something mildly spooked this male and he hunkered down, no more than 20′ or so away from me. Didn’t try to run away though; just sat there for a minute or two watching me. I would never have spotted this bird if I hadn’t seen it before it froze.

Whatever the cause for alarm, he got over it fairly quickly and resumed activity.

Whatever the cause for alarm, he got over it fairly quickly and resumed activity.

Most of the covey remained deeper in the sparse ground cover of the sandhills habitat.

Most of the covey remained deeper in the sparse ground cover of the sandhills habitat.

Incredible patterning on the plumage of these birds.

Incredible patterning on the plumage of these birds.

Females can be distinguished from males by their yellowish heads.

Females can be distinguished from males by their yellowish heads.

NOBO_01052015-44_Camp Winona Road

 

 

Image Gallery: Okefenokee Swamp

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 January 3, 2015

My somewhat serious resolution for the upcoming year is to increase the frequency of Volusia Naturalist posts.  To that end, I’m initiating the year with a new type of post – an image gallery.  For those times when I don’t have much to say, but want to share some photos of my adventures.

The photos in this set were taken over several days just before the new year.  All of the photos are hyperlinked to larger versions.  We spent most of our time in the Fargo area, at Stephen Foster State Park, with one afternoon trip to the east side of the Okefenokee at the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, near Folkston.

A gray morning in the Okefenokee Swamp. This is in Stephen Foster State Park, on the west side of the Okefenokee

A gray morning in the Okefenokee Swamp. This is in Stephen Foster State Park, on the west side of the Okefenokee.

The habitat surrounding the swamp is overwhelmingly dedicated to 20-year rotation timber farming. This includes a significant acreage in Okefenokee NWR. This is a tract of young slash pines that have been thinned and burned.

The habitat surrounding the swamp is overwhelmingly dedicated to 20-year rotation timber farming. This includes a significant acreage in Okefenokee NWR. This is a tract of young slash pines that have been thinned and burned. The profuse pale fuzzballs are seed heads of Pityopsis graminifolia.

This Google Earth image shows part of the entry road through Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (177). The Suwannee river near its origin in the Okefenokee is above the road. Notice that nearly all of the habitat that isn't wetland is covered by plots of timber at various stages of the harvest cycle.

This Google Earth image shows part of the entry road through Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (177), leading to Stephen Foster State Park on the western side of the refuge. The Suwannee river near its origin in the Okefenokee is visible above the road. The long straight line in the NE quadrant is the Suwannee River Sill, a several-mile long levee built in the 50’s to control outflow of water from the swamp into the Suwannee. This was an attempt to reduce fire frequency in the swamp during dry years by keeping more water in it. It was a failure. Notice that nearly all of the habitat that isn’t wetland is covered by plots of timber at various stages of the harvest cycle.

Alligators were out basking on this gray day. These beasts are in the canal paralleling the Suwannee River Sill.

Alligators were out basking on this gray day. These beasts are in the canal paralleling the Suwannee River Sill.

Great blue heron in the swamp. Notice the fire-scarred trunks in the background; many of the plant communities in the swamp are fire-maintained.

Great blue heron in the swamp. Notice the fire-scarred trunks in the background; many of the plant communities in the swamp are fire-maintained.

The canal leading from the boat basin in Stephen Foster State Park to the Billy's Lake section of the middle fork of the Suwannee River.

The canal leading from the boat basin in Stephen Foster State Park to the Billy’s Lake section of the middle fork of the Suwannee River.

White-tailed deer were common and tame around the cabins at Stephen Foster State Park.

White-tailed deer were common and tame around the cabins at Stephen Foster State Park.

Red-shouldered hawks were abundant, many hunting the the grassy shoulders of the entry road.

Red-shouldered hawks were abundant, many hunting the the grassy shoulders of the entry road.

Sweetgum

Sweetgum

There were only a few hours of decent sun, on Tuesday afternoon, during the 3 days we were there. This longleaf pine forest with cane understory is from the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, on the east side of Okefenokee.

There were only a few hours of decent sun, on Tuesday afternoon, during the 3 days we were there. This pine forest with cane understory is from the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area, on the east side of Okefenokee.

Longleaf pine forest

From the Swamp Wildlife Drive in the Suwannee Canal Area.

A magnificent 3/4 mile boardwalk into Chesser Prairie are of the Okefenokee provides stunning views of this landscape still showing the effects of the 2011 Honey Prairie fire, which was allowed to burn. Charred posts from a previous boardwalk are still present.

A magnificent 3/4 mile boardwalk into the Chesser Prairie area of the Okefenokee provides stunning views of this landscape still showing the effects of the 2011 Honey Prairie fire, which was allowed to burn. Charred posts from a previous boardwalk are still present.

Chesser Prairie, from the boardwalk.

Chesser Prairie, from the boardwalk.

Eastern phoebe from Chesser Island.

Eastern phoebe from Chesser Island.

Way too distant shot of a male northern harrier, from the boardwalk. I don't see male harriers often, though females and immatures are common in winter in Florida.

Way too distant shot of a male northern harrier, from the boardwalk. I don’t see male harriers often, though females and immatures are common in winter in Florida.

Pig frog? Active in the last week of December. Ranids in Pennsylvania can only dream about that shit.

Pig frog? Active in the last week of December. Ranids in Pennsylvania can only dream about that shit.

Interesting assemblage of insects in the unwet portion of a water lily leaf. There's a little water strider (Gerridae) in the notch, a small fly (Ceratopogonidae?) above it, and a "herd" of what look like some kind of leafhopper or planthopper nymphs.

Interesting assemblage of insects in the unwet portion of a water lily leaf. There’s a little water strider (Gerridae) in the notch, a small fly (Ceratopogonidae?) above it, and a “herd” of what look like some kind of leafhopper or planthopper nymphs. You have to click and see this at maximum resolution to see any detail in these tiny insects.

The diversity of fungal structures in this rotting branch was impressive. I have no idea how many species of fungi are visible here.

The diversity of fungal structures in this rotting branch was impressive. I have no idea how many species of fungi are visible here.

Swamp doghobble, Eubotrys racemosa. These are young flowering spikes that will bloom sometime in early spring.

Swamp doghobble, Eubotrys racemosa. These are young flowering spikes that will bloom sometime in early spring.

The last afternoon we were there produced the best light of the trip. This shot of the Okefenokee from the boardwalk at Stephen Foster State Park was taken in late afternoon, as the window of sunshine was getting ready to close.

The last afternoon we were there produced the best light of the trip. This shot of the Okefenokee from the boardwalk at Stephen Foster State Park was taken in late afternoon, as the window of sunshine was getting ready to close.

Golden afternoon light can make any shot look decent, but with this kind of view, it's like taking candy from a baby. Which I've never done.

Golden afternoon light can make any shot look decent, but with this kind of view, it’s like taking candy from a baby. Which I’ve never done.