Little Birds at Oakland Nature Preserve

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Recently on eBird a Golden-crowned Kinglet has been reported at Oakland Nature Preserve.  ONP is just a few minutes from my house, and it’s hitehere I learned the basics of digital bird photography.  I have many happy memories of sitting with Rich at the Painted Bunting feeders, waiting for a glimpse of a male.  So on Sunday I decided it was time to head back to ONP and hopefully score a lifer kinglet.

The Golden-crowned Kinglet is a rare bird in Florida.  It has been reported in the trees at the entrance of the boardwalk.  You hear it before you see it.  Turns out, there are lots of little birds flitting around.  Even though I know I saw it flit from tree to tree, and I heard it repeatedly, I never got my camera on it.  Oh well.  It counts as an ABA lifer but to me it doesn’t count unless I get a photo.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Oakland Nature Preserve
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – the more common kinglet found in Florida during the winter.  The top of his head is bright red, if you can get him to show it to you!

A mixed flock of passerines moved through as I was searching, and I got some nice photos – especially for a gray, nasty, rainy day! This Blue-headed Vireo was the first bird to show off for my camera…

Blue-headed Vireo at Oakland Nature Preserve
Blue-headed Vireo

Then I heard the happy song of a Brown Thrasher.  His song sounds like that of a mockingbird, but sweeter.  I looked around and there he was, perched out in the open.

Singing Brown Thrasher at Oakland Nature Preserve
Singing Brown Thrasher

A Black-and-white Warbler hopped onto the thrasher’s tree and started moving down.  It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many of these little birds!

Black-and-white Warbler at Oakland Nature Preserve
Black-and-white Warbler

I saw a Downy Woodpecker deep inside a tree, and didn’t try for a photo.  But when this Red-bellied Woodpecker hopped right out in front of me, I couldn’t resist.

Red-bellied Woodpecker at Oakland Nature Preserve
Red-bellied Woodpecker

Common birds often lead to better birds.  After I focused on the Red-bellied, I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker in the distance.  He flew in closer and posed.  Then I saw a second Pileated.  Nice!

Pileated Woodpecker at Oakland Nature Preserve
Pileated Woodpecker

They’ve done a lot of good improvements at Oakland Nature Preserve in the past few years. They’ve added a lot of native plants near the parking area, and they maintain a bunch of feeders. As I wandered looking for the flock of birds that the Golden-crowned Kinglet was hanging out with, I spotted this Chipping Sparrow. He wanted me to get out of the way so that he could enjoy his feeder!

Chipping Sparrow at Oakland Nature Preserve
Chipping Sparrow

I heard a Painted Bunting call note, and then spotted this greenie not too far away. It’s nice to see one in the wild, not on a feeder!

Painted Bunting "Greenie" at Oakland Nature Preserve
Painted Bunting “Greenie”

I turned around and noticed a Pine Warbler perched low on an open branch. Score! I fired off a few shots before he flew off.

Pine Warbler at Oakland Nature Preserve
Pine Warbler

The parking lot started to fill with cars, and suddenly there were more toddlers on the trail than birds. Time to call it a day! I will have to try again for the Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Want to learn more about nature photography at Oakland Nature Preserve?

Check out my Oakland Nature Preserve page with more information about the location, map, website, photography tips, etc. It is archived by date so you can see my images from previous visits. Maybe you'll be inspired for your own trip!

Planning a trip to Florida? Don't miss my Central Florida Bird Photography Locations reference guide!

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