Last Orlando Wetlands Park Visit of the Year

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I love my off-Fridays!  Last weekend I went to Orlando Wetlands Park for my last visit of the year.  The park closes between mid-November and February.  It was really quiet that morning.  I was the only one on the trail for sunrise and a good hour afterward.

Sunrise
Sunrise

The sunrise is always beautiful at Orlando Wetlands.  The trees and palms make a beautiful silhouette against the morning sky.

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow

The reeds were alive with little birds in the early light.  Savannah Sparrows are back in Florida!  I was surprised to not see some Swamp Sparrows mixed in.  Palm Warblers flipped their tails repeatedly as they hopped from branch to branch.  An occasional Common Yellowthroat showed himself briefly, then hopped back under the cover of vegetation.

Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon 

I sat down on the side of the trail to  photograph the Snowy Egrets fishing in the marsh waters.  It was with great surprise that I looked up and saw a Peregrine Falcon fly out from one of the trees.  I managed to focus and get three quick shots as the bird flew away.

Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles

Waaaaaay across the marsh, a pair of Bald Eagles sat together on a branch.  I silently begged them to do a courtship ritual, but they didn’t oblige. :-p

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

Dozens of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks flew back and forth across the marsh all morning.  I spent a good hour sitting on the bank, watching and photographing them as they fussed and fed.  They seem to gang up on each other, whistling in chorus and poking their beaks at one poor bird until that bird flew off.  I managed to snap the shutter as one such spat took place…

Duck Dispute
Duck Dispute

eBirdFind my birding list from today on eBird.

Want to learn more about nature photography at Orlando Wetlands?

Check out my Orlando Wetlands 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!

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4 thoughts on “Last Orlando Wetlands Park Visit of the Year

  1. Beautiful sunrise!! And to top it off with a peregrine flyby! Nice! I was hoping to go Saturday until I read your post and realized that tomorrow is my last chance.

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