Attack

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We usually walk through Central Park on our way back from our Saturday or Sunday morning stroll out to breakfast. Today, we took the Element and the cameras because we've seen hawks in this location lately.

We saw this osprey land with it's hard-caught meal. After a few minutes, I could sense that the osprey was about to take off. Usually this is because the bird senses our movement/danger to its location. Thus, I was ready when the osprey lifted off with it's fish. I didn't know about the imminent attack of another osprey until looking through the digital images later. So, it was a good AND lucky pic.

Guests at breakfast

De Leon Springs, FL - - Surrounded by the white ibis gang, this great blue heron takes a breakfast stroll at one of many new buffet (recent drainage) areas at Lake Woodruff NWR.

Lake Woodruff NWR early morning

DELEON SPRINGS, FL - - Saturday morning at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge proved to be good for our favorite passtime as the US Fish & Wildlife Service was in the process of draining an area within the NWR and low water and muck bring out the birds. Other areas provided nice 'just as the sun comes up' reflections but no birds.


This 'artsy' shot is your basic "we're out of here" move by the ibis/egret/heron clan I spooked. Below, a Great Egret looks as if it is peeking from behind the palm tree trunk...actually it's flying somewhere else so it's either a great action pic or one that only shows half a bird. Your pick.

Sharing

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - Sunbeams on the carpet of the living room create a dilemma for our cats - - The Queen, in brownish-blond and white and the Princess, in black and white - - who are attracted to this almost daily occurrence like furry magnets. To take full advantage of this solar warming, the dynamic duo totally ignore each other.

Wandering around

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - We've been out wandering around looking for birds. The trio above were hanging out in a wetlands area on nearby Boardman Lane. The wood stork, ibis and young egret with green legs were keeping their eyes out for snacks.
Then there was a pelican food fight in the harbor of Fernandina Beach where fish were being cleaned while back at Boardman Lane there was an egret gathering.

Out and about

MERRITT ISLAND, FL - - Mr. & Mrs. Blue Winged Teal out for a swim at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. FYI: Mr. BWT has the white flashing on his facial area.

Wading, standing, flying

DELEON SPRINGS, FL - - We found the birds wading, standing and flying on our second visit to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Blue Heron above was hunting for snacks while even in reflection, the wood stork (middle) is still ugly. We saw this Great Blue (below) with the deformed foot a number of times as we walked along a canal.