Fall Walk at Orlando Wetlands Park

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My Beast and I ventured out of our backyard yesterday for the first time since Hurricane Irma.  We headed to Orlando Wetlands Park and greeted all the fall birds that have moved in for the winter.

The park didn’t look all that different post-Irma.  The first birds to greet us were, as usual, the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.  They congregated on their trees and chortled out a sweet hello:

Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Black-bellied Whistling Duck

The whistlers are such clowns.  Four of them were lined up on a tree branch as the sun rose behind them.  They flapped and called and finally all pointed their heads towards the camera.

Black-bellied Whistling Clowns
Black-bellied Whistling Clowns

It’s easy to walk right past the little birds, who stay hidden in the reeds.  This Marsh Wren finally ventured out where I could see most of him…

Marsh Wren
Marsh Wren

The Savannah Sparrows are back, and they will hop out in the open and pose for you.

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow

After photographing turtles all summer, I was a little out of practice on fast focusing and flight shots.  This Green Heron took pity on me.  He flew past me, gave me time to focus on him, then turned around and flew right back in front of me.  What a nice bird!

Green Heron in Flight
Green Heron in Flight

It’s impossible to go to Orlando Wetlands without photographing the fishing Snowy Egrets.  Yes, Michael, I had Elton John in my head as I recalled your “tiny dancer” image!

Snowy Egret Fishing
Snowy Egret Fishing

This Sora ventured briefly out of the reeds to let me photograph him.  It was a treat that didn’t last long.

Sora
Sora

The Belted Kingfishers are back in Florida.  Two of them entertained me yesterday chasing each other around the wetlands.  Then one caught a fish and took it to a branch to eat.  Mmm, breakfast!

Belted Kingfisher with Fish
Belted Kingfisher with Fish

Two Red-shouldered Hawks were having a heated discussion over which of them should sit on a particular perch.  They ended up chasing each other across the marsh (and neither of them got the perch).  Silly birds.

Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk

On my walk back I spotted a juvenile male Common Yellowthroat in the reeds.  You can tell he’s a juvenile male because his face mask isn’t as black as an adult male.  A Zorro in training!

Common Yellowthroat (male)
Common Yellowthroat (male)

All morning I heard the calls of Gray Catbirds and Eastern Phoebes, but I was almost back to my car before I photographed my first one.  This Phoebe was having a great time catching bugs.

Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe

My last bird of the morning was a White-eyed Vireo who called to me as I left.

White-eyed Vireo
White-eyed Vireo

All in all, it was a wonderful walk on a cool morning, and it felt great to be back out!

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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!

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

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